Aggies, Crimson Tide Win 2025 Folds of Honor Collegiate
GRAND HAVEN, Mich. – The Texas A&M women and Alabama men won the 2025 Folds of Honor Collegiate on Wednesday at American Dunes Golf Club.
Also winners of their season-opening Carmel Cup by 26 strokes on August 31, Texas A&M propelled past the 18 and 36-hole leader Baylor with the only team round of even par or better (287, -1) to win by three shots. Individual co-runner up Brynn Kort (71-72-70, 3), Sky Sudberry (T5; 75-71-71, +1), Cayetana Fernández García-Poggio (T12; 75-74-71, +4), and Vanessa Borovilos (T16; 72-77-75, +8) recorded top-20 finishes for the sixth-ranked Aggies.
“We learned that we’re tough,” Texas A&M Head Coach Gerrod Chadwell said. “In our first tournament of the year, we played really well in the final round to increase the lead, but today, we had to come back against a really good Baylor team. For us to get to go to battle against them today, it makes us better. This course is a championship layout; firm, fast, and you’ve got to hit golf shots. I’m excited for how this prepares us going towards hopefully a good season and postseason run.”
During the championship ceremony live on Golf Channel, Folds of Honor Founder and CEO Lt Col Dan Rooney said that Texas A&M is the Folds of Honor’s second-largest recipient school, donating over $2.5 million in scholarships to Texas A&M families.
Kentucky, North Carolina, and co-host Michigan State also recorded top-five team finishes.
18-hole leader Anastasia Hekkonen built an early lead on Wednesday with birdies on four of her first six holes en route to her four-shot individual victory (66-72-71, -7). The Kentucky sophomore from Helsinki, Finland, began the tournament with a 26-hole bogey-free streak and led the field in Par 4 Scoring (3.97) while recording 11 birdies for her first collegiate victory.
“The whole week, I was just not thinking about my score,” Hekkonen said. “I told my teammates to not tell me what I’m shooting and keep the scores away from me; just take it a shot at a time. If I can do so well in Finland, why not here?”
Co-runner up Cathryn Brown of Kentucky, North Carolina’s Megan Streicher, and Arizona’s Charlotte Back also recorded top-five individual finishes.
After carding the tournament’s lowest round of four-under 280 on Tuesday, Alabama successfully defended their 2024 Folds of Honor Collegiate Men’s Championship with a five-under 847 (285-280-282). The Crimson Tide defeated 2023 Folds of Honor Collegiate Champions Notre Dame by six strokes.
During the championship ceremony live on Golf Channel, Lt Col Rooney said that the University of Alabama is the Folds of Honor’s No. 1 recipient school, having awarded over $3 million in life-changing Crimson Tide scholarships.
“We’re really honored to be here,” Alabama Head Coach Jay Seawell said. “I think it’s great to start (the season) here because it’s cool to be a part of something that’s more than just golf. Our young people need to know that, and I always need to be reminded of that. The whole staff, the ownership, the Golf Channel, the Golf Coaches (Association of America), and how everyone reminds us that there are young people out there that need help. We get to play golf and that’s cool and we won and we’re going to go get a milkshake for that, but we’re proud and honored as the University of Alabama to be the No. 1 recipient school. Roll Tide to that.”
“I feel very calm when I’m here,” continued Seawell. “It’s more than just a golf tournament. It’s a reminder that freedom isn’t free. It reminds us that we play a game. I love the competition, but I just love being here because it gives you a sense of peace, thankfulness, and gratitude.”
Cincinnati, Kansas, and California also recorded top-five team finishes.
Making his first collegiate start this week, Alabama sophomore William Jennings recorded nine of his 12 tournament birdies over the last 33 holes to card a four-under 209 (71-67-71). The Greenville, South Carolina, native, had a six-shot lead with eight holes left but bogeyed four of his final six holes before winning by one shot over Cincinnati’s Leo Wessel and Notre Dame’s Calen Sanderson.
“Today was a roller coaster,” Jennings said. “Started off by three-putting the second hole, which set myself back a little, but I got four birdies on 6-9 to get into a great rhythm. I kind of eased off the gas pedal the last three holes. It's been a little while since I’ve won a golf tournament. I’ve been very close, but this gives me the confidence that I can do it.”
With the victory, Jennings earned a sponsor’s exemption into the PGA TOUR’s 2026 Rocket Classic, held July 30-August 2 at Detroit Golf Club.
“I honestly forgot about it, but I’m so stoked about it,” he said. “It’s going to be awesome, and I’d like to thank Rocket Mortgage for handing out that exemption. I’m super excited.”
“Any time our guys get to experience the PGA TOUR, that’s their dream,” Seawell said. “You get a chance to see what really, really good golf is. I’m appreciative of Folds of Honor, the GCAA, and especially Rocket Mortgage for doing that.”
Rocket Classic Tournament Director Brittany Jeanis was in attendance at American Dunes on Wednesday to present the exemption.
“It’s such an incredible opportunity when you’re able to have a partnership like Folds of Honor,” said Jeanis. “Not only with the collegiate event in our backyard, less than three hours away from Detroit, but you also have such a meaningful mission and impact to veterans and first responders across the country. I wasn’t able to be here last year, but to be here today coming down 18 fairway with William was such an inspirational moment for us to be a part of that partnership with them, but also to watch him throughout the rest of the collegiate season and have him in Detroit in July.”
“The world of golf is ever-evolving right now as we all know,” Jeanis continued. “When you’re able to identify the future stars on the PGA TOUR, whether it’s through events like the Folds of Honor Collegiate or other opportunities, this is the talent that you’re going to be talking about in the next five years. A lot of these guys start their career with us in Detroit; Michael La Sasso, Luke Clanton, and numerous others. When you’re able to be part of that journey, it’s meaningful to the Rocket Classic and Rocket Mortgage as a brand as a work on owning the dream, putting people in homes, and identifying what meets the dream of the American people.”
About Folds of Honor
Folds of Honor is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of US military service members and first responders who have fallen or been disabled while serving our country and communities. Our educational scholarships support private school tuition or tutoring in grades K-12, tuition for college, technical or trade school and post-graduate work, including a master’s degree, doctorate, or professional program. Funds for a second bachelor’s degree or trade/technical program certification are also available. Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 62,000 scholarships totaling about $290 million in all 50 states. Among the students served, 45 percent are minorities. A total of 91 percent of expenses fund our mission of providing educational scholarships to the families of our nation’s heroes. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on Candid. It was founded by Lt Col Dan Rooney, the only-ever F-16 fighter pilot (with three combat tours in Iraq) and PGA Professional. He is serving as Commander of Recruiting for the Oklahoma Air Guard. For more information or to donate in support of a Folds of Honor scholarship visit foldsofhonor.org.
About American Dunes
In 2006, the Grand Haven Golf Club hosted a small golf tournament that would inspire the founding of Folds of Honor. The Grand Haven Golf Club closed in 2018 and a limited group of patriots joined together with Jack Nicklaus to create American Dunes. Nicklaus led the project by donating his design fee, a group of 18 individuals sponsored one hole each, and five private investors joined together to preserve the birthplace of Folds of Honor. The mission of American Dunes is unwavering; to raise awareness and funds for the families of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. Since the facility opened in May 2021, over $5.5 million from profits have been donated back to Folds of Honor to provide life-changing educational scholarships.
In 2022, the annual Folds of Honor Collegiate was first contested with 18 men’s teams. In 2024, the Collegiate welcomed a women’s field to better reflect the mission at Folds of Honor.
“American Dunes represents a collaboration of countless likeminded patriots, who want this golf course to forever stand as a tribute to the birthplace of Folds of Honor, a safe haven for veterans who find rehabilitation through the recreation of the game, and a backdrop to celebrate our country and those who fought for its freedom,” Lt Col Rooney said. “A significant legacy such as this is born out of the effort of selfless individuals and companies who have donated their time and resources.”
About the Golf Coaches Association of America
Established in 1958, the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) is the professional organization of men's collegiate golf coaches. The GCAA's mission is to support its member coaches from six divisions, including the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA, by creating educational opportunities, providing resources, and promoting its members with the purpose of enhancing their overall performance as coaches, mentors, and teachers. The GCAA also recognizes the excellence and achievements of its members and their student-athletes in academic, athletic and civic endeavors.