Through the Folds of Honor Military Tribute program, junior Brynn Walker will be the first Tar Heel this season to carry a golf bag in honor of Staff Sargent Andrew “Andy” Harvell.
Photo by: UNC Athletic Communications
North Carolina Women’s Golf Team to Honor Fallen Hero
October 5, 2018 | Women's Golf
What started out as a school project has turned into something that will impact the North Carolina women's golf team for the rest of the season.
Junior Brynn Walker knew Carolina student-athletes were already involved in many service projects, but with her grandfather having served in the Navy, she wanted to find a way to help the military. She decided to reach out to Folds of Honor, an organization already involved with the golf community that provides scholarships to the families of fallen and disabled servicemen and women.
The Folds of Honor program is coordinated by the Women's Golf Coaches Association and Golf Coaches Association of America.
While interviewing a veteran classmate for a project, he recommended that Walker and the team honor his good friend Staff Sergeant Andrew "Andy" Harvell of the United States Air Force.
SSG Harvell served with the Air Force 24th Special Tactics Squadron and was stationed at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina. SSG Harvell was killed in action when his helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan.
For the remainder of the season, one Tar Heel at each tournament will trade in their usual golf bag for a bag bearing the name of SSG Harvell.
"We can get so caught up in winning, so caught up in golf scores," head coach Jan Mann said. "It gives us the opportunity to sit back and put things in perspective."
Walker will be the first to carry the bag this year at the Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invitational, Carolina's home tournament from Oct. 12-14 at Finley Golf Course.
"It is really cool to look down and not see your name for once and to be playing for somebody else," Walker said. "It puts things in perspective. A lot of times you think you miss a shot and it seems like it's the end of the world but it's really not a big deal when people are giving their lives for our country."
About Staff Sergeant Harvell
Staff Sergeant Andrew "Andy" Harvell was the combat controller of Seal Team 6 Air Force 24th Special Tactics Squadron and station at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina. Pope was killed during his sixth deployment, his second with the squadron as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was killed Aug. 6, 2011 when his CH-47 Helicopter was shot down in the Tangi Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Thirty-one other special operations members were also killed in the crash.
Born Sept. 26, 1984 in Long Beach, California, SSG Harvell graduated from Millikan High School in Long Beach before joining the Air Force in 2002. SSG Harvell was a loving husband to his wife Krista and caring father to his sons, Ethan and Hunter. After completing basic military training, he enlisted in the Combat Control pipeline for another two years of training. In January 2006, SSG Harvell was assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina.
He was awarded with the Bronze Star Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Joint Service Commendation medal, the Join Service Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.
SSG Harvell is survived by his wife Krista and his two sons Ethan and Hunter, who were only 3 years-old and 5 months-old when he was killed.
About the Folds of Honor Military Tribute Program
The Folds of Honor Military Tribute Program (FHMTP) provides the opportunity for any collegiate golf program to honor a fallen or severely wounded American soldier by having a team member carry a golf bag displaying the name, rank and branch of service of the soldier being honored during the school year.
At the end of each season, the golf program makes its best effort to raise funds for the bag with the proceeds benefiting the Folds of Honor (FOH). The FOH, a preferred charitable partner of the Women's Golf Coach Association (WGCA) and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA), works to ensure that no family is left behind in the fight to preserve American freedom. Through scholarships and other assistance, they give back to the spouses and children of soldiers killed or disabled in service to our country. For more information on the Folds of Honor Military Tribute Program, visit foldsofhonor.org.
Junior Brynn Walker knew Carolina student-athletes were already involved in many service projects, but with her grandfather having served in the Navy, she wanted to find a way to help the military. She decided to reach out to Folds of Honor, an organization already involved with the golf community that provides scholarships to the families of fallen and disabled servicemen and women.
The Folds of Honor program is coordinated by the Women's Golf Coaches Association and Golf Coaches Association of America.
While interviewing a veteran classmate for a project, he recommended that Walker and the team honor his good friend Staff Sergeant Andrew "Andy" Harvell of the United States Air Force.
SSG Harvell served with the Air Force 24th Special Tactics Squadron and was stationed at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina. SSG Harvell was killed in action when his helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan.
For the remainder of the season, one Tar Heel at each tournament will trade in their usual golf bag for a bag bearing the name of SSG Harvell.
"We can get so caught up in winning, so caught up in golf scores," head coach Jan Mann said. "It gives us the opportunity to sit back and put things in perspective."
Walker will be the first to carry the bag this year at the Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invitational, Carolina's home tournament from Oct. 12-14 at Finley Golf Course.
"It is really cool to look down and not see your name for once and to be playing for somebody else," Walker said. "It puts things in perspective. A lot of times you think you miss a shot and it seems like it's the end of the world but it's really not a big deal when people are giving their lives for our country."
About Staff Sergeant Harvell
Staff Sergeant Andrew "Andy" Harvell was the combat controller of Seal Team 6 Air Force 24th Special Tactics Squadron and station at Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina. Pope was killed during his sixth deployment, his second with the squadron as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was killed Aug. 6, 2011 when his CH-47 Helicopter was shot down in the Tangi Valley, Wardak Province, Afghanistan. Thirty-one other special operations members were also killed in the crash.
Born Sept. 26, 1984 in Long Beach, California, SSG Harvell graduated from Millikan High School in Long Beach before joining the Air Force in 2002. SSG Harvell was a loving husband to his wife Krista and caring father to his sons, Ethan and Hunter. After completing basic military training, he enlisted in the Combat Control pipeline for another two years of training. In January 2006, SSG Harvell was assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina.
He was awarded with the Bronze Star Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Joint Service Commendation medal, the Join Service Achievement Medal, and the Air Force Combat Action Medal.
SSG Harvell is survived by his wife Krista and his two sons Ethan and Hunter, who were only 3 years-old and 5 months-old when he was killed.
About the Folds of Honor Military Tribute Program
The Folds of Honor Military Tribute Program (FHMTP) provides the opportunity for any collegiate golf program to honor a fallen or severely wounded American soldier by having a team member carry a golf bag displaying the name, rank and branch of service of the soldier being honored during the school year.
At the end of each season, the golf program makes its best effort to raise funds for the bag with the proceeds benefiting the Folds of Honor (FOH). The FOH, a preferred charitable partner of the Women's Golf Coach Association (WGCA) and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA), works to ensure that no family is left behind in the fight to preserve American freedom. Through scholarships and other assistance, they give back to the spouses and children of soldiers killed or disabled in service to our country. For more information on the Folds of Honor Military Tribute Program, visit foldsofhonor.org.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
UNC Field Hockey: Tar Heels Edge #9 Liberty, 3-1
Monday, September 15
UNC Football: Tar Heels Overpower Richmond, 41-6
Sunday, September 14
UNC Players Press Conference, Post-Richmond
Sunday, September 14
Bill Belichick Post-Richmond Press Conference, 9/13/25
Sunday, September 14