GAINESVILLE, Ga. (Jan. 8, 2016) – The Brenau University golf team has selected Private First Class Theron V. Hobbs as their official honoree for the 2015-2016 WGCA/Folds of Honor Military Tribute Program. The team will carry a custom golf bag printed with PFC Hobbs’ name and rank to honor his service, bravery and ultimate sacrifice for our great nation.
“Carrying the name of a fallen soldier, especially when he belongs to one of our own, gives us a very unique chance to show our gratitude for the sacrifices he and his family have made for us,” said head golf coach Damon Stancil.
Hobbs, 22, was killed in action Nov. 6, 2008, in Kirkuk, Iraq, while deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Albany, Georgia, native and his wife Kimberly were expecting their first child just three months later. He was a cousin of Golden Tigers golfer Lakese Shanell Brown, a sophomore majoring in pre-nursing.
“Theron was a family person and wanted to serve his country,” said Brown. “I am proud of his work and service. He was a blessing to our family although we only got to see him physically for a short period of time, I believe in God, and that we will see him again.”
The bag is embroidered with an American flag and the Folds of Honor logo, as well as the biblical quote John 15:13 – “greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Hobbs was assigned to the 572nd Engineer Company, 20th Engineer Battalion and 36th Engineer Brigade out of Fort Hood, Texas.
The Folds of Honor Foundation is a nonprofit organization providing educational support to spouses and children of America’s fallen and wounded soldiers. Since 2007, it has offered scholarship assistance to the million-plus dependents who have been affected by deployments and has raised over $27 million through sports fundraisers to provide financial support for students and their families. It was founded by Major Rooney, a PGA professional, USGA member, former college golfer at the University of Kansas and former F-16 military pilot with the Oklahoma Air National Guard, following his second of three tours of duty in Iraq.
“In honor of the members of the military who have protected and sacrificed so much for our country, this is one way to show our appreciation for them,” said Brenau Director of Military and Veteran Services Rosanne Short. “We really want to step in and support those families who have had loved ones deployed, to help take away some of the stress they may be experiencing.”
This is Brenau’s second year with the Folds of Honor tribute program. Last year, Staff Sgt. Shaun J. Whitehead of Commerce, Georgia, was selected as the university’s honoree. He died April 24, 2008, in Iskandariyah, Iraq, of wounds sustained from an explosive at age 25. He had been assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
“Our team is humbled and honored to have this opportunity to honor Hobb and service members like him,” said Stancil. “The ladies have really taken this Military Tribute Program to heart and each has shown great pride when they have been able to carry the bag during one of our tournaments.”