Photo by: Tyler McFarland
Bronco Golf Programs to Recognize Fallen Soldiers in 2024
2/8/2024 11:00:00 AM | Men's Golf, Women's Golf
BOISE, Idaho – The Boise State men's and women's golf programs are honoring the lives of local soldiers during the 2024 season, head coaches David Trainor and Kailin Downs announced. Both teams have a bag honoring their respective fallen soldier that will be carried by a student-athlete at each event.
The men's team's bag memorializes Army Spc. John G. Borbonus, a 2005 graduate of Boise High School. Borbonus was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division, located in Fort Richardson, Alaska. He lost his life in the line of duty on April 12, 2007, while saving the lives of many other U.S. soldiers. Borbonus posthumously received a Purple Heart, Silver Star and Bronze Star for "heroic or meritorious achievement" during battle.
"The members of the Borbonus family have done great things in the Treasure Valley and they have been very good to us with the use of Falcon Crest Golf Course in Kuna," said Trainor. "Upon hearing the story of John Borbonus, what he stood for, the sacrifice he made for our country and the hero he is, it was a no-brainer to honor him by carrying a golf bag with his name on it."
The John Borbonus Memorial Foundation has donated over $130,000 to various groups, including the men's and women's golf programs at Boise State. The Borbonus family hosts the John Borbonus Memorial Golf Tournament at Falcon Crest Golf Course, with this year's event being the 18th annual tournament. It is scheduled for Friday, May 10, in Kuna, Idaho.
The women's team has joined the Folds of Honor program with a bag that honors Army Spc. Carrie L. French, a native of Caldwell, Idaho. French was assigned to the 145th Support Battalion, Idaho's largest National Guard deployment. On June 5, 2005, she was killed in the line of duty while serving in Kirkuk, Iraq. French, an ammunition specialist for the 116th Brigade Combat Team, planned to travel Europe and study law after her tour of duty. She was 19 years old at the time of the tragic incident. She was posthumously promoted to corporal and received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
"Any time we can honor the lives of people that have served our country and given their life while serving our country is an amazing opportunity. This is a very simple way for our team to recognize someone local or with ties to Boise State and raise money for a very good cause," said Downs. "Folds of Honor and the academic opportunities they provide for service members' families is a wonderful organization that I am proud to partner with."
At the end of the season, the bag will be raffled off, with proceeds going to the Folds of Honor program. Online donations and raffle entries can be made HERE.
Since 2007, Folds of Honor has provided life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America's fallen or disabled military. Their mission has expanded to the families of America's first responders. On their watch, those who protect our freedoms and our families will know they are not forgotten.
The Folds of Honor program gives collegiate golf teams a chance to support the families of U.S. military members and first responders. Proceeds raised by the teams are used to fund scholarships that are awarded to spouses and children of fallen or disabled soldiers and first responders.
Both teams open the 2024 campaign next week. The men's team travels to Los Angeles to play at The Genesis Collegiate Showcase on Feb. 12. The women's team competes in Mountain Classic Match Play, which is held from Feb. 12-14, then continues with a tri-match against Long Beach State and UC Riverside on Feb. 15-16. Both events will be played in Palm Springs, Calif.
--BroncoSports.com--
The men's team's bag memorializes Army Spc. John G. Borbonus, a 2005 graduate of Boise High School. Borbonus was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division, located in Fort Richardson, Alaska. He lost his life in the line of duty on April 12, 2007, while saving the lives of many other U.S. soldiers. Borbonus posthumously received a Purple Heart, Silver Star and Bronze Star for "heroic or meritorious achievement" during battle.
"The members of the Borbonus family have done great things in the Treasure Valley and they have been very good to us with the use of Falcon Crest Golf Course in Kuna," said Trainor. "Upon hearing the story of John Borbonus, what he stood for, the sacrifice he made for our country and the hero he is, it was a no-brainer to honor him by carrying a golf bag with his name on it."
The John Borbonus Memorial Foundation has donated over $130,000 to various groups, including the men's and women's golf programs at Boise State. The Borbonus family hosts the John Borbonus Memorial Golf Tournament at Falcon Crest Golf Course, with this year's event being the 18th annual tournament. It is scheduled for Friday, May 10, in Kuna, Idaho.
The women's team has joined the Folds of Honor program with a bag that honors Army Spc. Carrie L. French, a native of Caldwell, Idaho. French was assigned to the 145th Support Battalion, Idaho's largest National Guard deployment. On June 5, 2005, she was killed in the line of duty while serving in Kirkuk, Iraq. French, an ammunition specialist for the 116th Brigade Combat Team, planned to travel Europe and study law after her tour of duty. She was 19 years old at the time of the tragic incident. She was posthumously promoted to corporal and received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
"Any time we can honor the lives of people that have served our country and given their life while serving our country is an amazing opportunity. This is a very simple way for our team to recognize someone local or with ties to Boise State and raise money for a very good cause," said Downs. "Folds of Honor and the academic opportunities they provide for service members' families is a wonderful organization that I am proud to partner with."
At the end of the season, the bag will be raffled off, with proceeds going to the Folds of Honor program. Online donations and raffle entries can be made HERE.
Since 2007, Folds of Honor has provided life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America's fallen or disabled military. Their mission has expanded to the families of America's first responders. On their watch, those who protect our freedoms and our families will know they are not forgotten.
The Folds of Honor program gives collegiate golf teams a chance to support the families of U.S. military members and first responders. Proceeds raised by the teams are used to fund scholarships that are awarded to spouses and children of fallen or disabled soldiers and first responders.
Both teams open the 2024 campaign next week. The men's team travels to Los Angeles to play at The Genesis Collegiate Showcase on Feb. 12. The women's team competes in Mountain Classic Match Play, which is held from Feb. 12-14, then continues with a tri-match against Long Beach State and UC Riverside on Feb. 15-16. Both events will be played in Palm Springs, Calif.
--BroncoSports.com--
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