By Roy J. Akers- www.skyviewsports.net
The Rocket Classic, renamed this year, has always ensured that college and minority players get a shot to play golf at the next level. Joey Garber of Petoskey, Michigan, has bounced around the PGA/Korn Ferry Tours and played in the very first RMC several years ago.
Management at the Tournament has seen to it to offer invitations to aspiring golfers and young professionals through the John Shippen, where male minorities can qualify to play in the tournament. The RMC expanded the offering for minority women to qualify and play in their own John Shippen event and qualify for both the LPGA Meijer tournament in Grand Rapids and the LPGA Dow Tournament in Midland. << Click for applications to the John Shippen Tournament.
Now comes the Folds of Honor Collegiate event at American Dunes and University of Alabama golfer Dominic Clemons will be a sponsor exemption into the 2025 renamed Rocket Classic to be held at Detroit Golf Club the final week of June.
Clemons is one of the brightest stars in college golf. This year he will make his PGA Tour debut in Detroit.
The Rocket Classic announced Tuesday that Folds of Honor—a national nonprofit dedicated to providing academic scholarships to family members of fallen and/or disabled military members and first responders—will provide an exemption for Clemons to participate at this year’s event, which is set to take place June 26-29.
The 22-year-old from Cambridge, England, earned the honor after winning the Folds of Honor Collegiate event last September.
“The Rocket Classic is about more than golf — it’s about recognizing those who serve and uplift our communities,” Bill Emerson, Rocket Companies president, said in a statement. “Partnering with Folds of Honor gives us a meaningful platform to celebrate these heroes while also providing Dominic the opportunity to make his PGA TOUR debut.”
Clemons has a win at last year’s Scottish Men’s Open. He’s also on the watch list for the 2025 Ben Hogan Award, the highest award in collegiate golf.
Roy J. Akers covers The PGA/LPGA Tour, College, and Top amateur golf for www.skyviewsports.net
