CARLSBAD – An Air National Guard pilot about to embark on his third tour of duty in Iraq hopes to raise as much as $5 million for his foundation during the second Patriot Golf Day.

Maj. Dan Rooney started Patriot Golf Day last year, when he asked golfers to donate $1 on top of their greens fees on Sept. 1. He raised $1.1 million for his Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides scholarships to families of service members who have been killed or disabled in action in Iraq and Afghanistan.

This year, Patriot Golf Day will span all four days of the Labor Day weekend, from Friday through Monday. With support from the PGA of America and the USGA, Rooney has recruited approximately 5,000 participating golf courses.

As part of the fundraising effort, TaylorMade Golf Co. has produced 3,000 special-edition r7 drivers to be auctioned off by golf courses, with the proceeds going to the Folds of Honor Foundation.

Rooney is both a PGA Teaching Professional and an F-16 fighter pilot in the 125th Fighter Squadron of the Oklahoma Air National Guard.

”This cause is very near and dear to me,” Rooney said. ”Not unlike the military, it is a team effort.”