During its 2017-18 season, the McLennan Community College men’s golf team participated in the Folds of Honor Military Tribute Program (FHMTP). Folds of Honor (FOH) is a preferred charitable partner of the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) and honors fallen or severely wounded American soldiers. The program “works to ensure that no family is left behind in the fight to preserve American freedom. Through scholarships and other assistance, they give back to the spouses and children of soldiers killed or disabled in service to our country.” McLennan was one of only a handful of schools from across the United States to join the FHMTP program and the only two-year college to participate.
Throughout the year, the Highlander team honored Sgt. 1 Class Albert A. Mersch by carrying a special McLennan golf bag displaying his name, rank and branch of service at each of their tournaments. Raffle tickets for the bag were sold at various McLennan events throughout the year, and the team raised $1,000 that has been donated to the FHMTP. A drawing for the bag was held following the Highlanders’ return from the NJCAA national tournament, and former McLennan vice president Gene Gooch was the winner.
"We joined the Folds of Honor because we wanted to celebrate heroes like Sgt. 1st Class Mersch for his service and sacrifice,” head coach Vince Clark said. “We wanted to raise money to help the families of veterans like Mersch pay for college educations, and my golfers and I wanted to learn from Mersch's life and example. We are honored to include him in our McLennan family."
