The 2018 golf season was quite a year for Patriot All-America Invitational alumni. In total, 12 professional tournaments were won, and more than $27 million in prize money was collected by golfers, who just a few years ago were teeing it up on The Wigwam’s Gold Course and competing in the Patriot All-America.

Patriot All-America alum Brooks Koepka captured his second consecutive U.S. Open championship, and his first PGA Championship on his way to securing Player of the Year honors on the PGA TOUR.  That’s three majors over two years for Koepka, who played in the inaugural Patriot All-America in 2011 and finished 18th.

Another 2011 Patriot All-America alum, Justin Thomas also had a stellar year on the PGA TOUR. Thomas won three times – The CJ Cup at Nine Bridges, The Honda Classic and the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational – and had 10 Top 10 finishes.

Bryson DeChambeau, a 2013 Patriot All-America participant, won three times in 2018 – the Memorial Tournament, The Northern Trust and The Dell Technologies Championship – and finished third in the 2018 FedEx Cup standings. DeChambeau, along with Koepka and Thomas, also competed on the 2018 U.S. Ryder Cup team in France.

2016 Patriot All-America Invitational winner, Cameron Champ picked up his first professional victory at the 2018 Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank, posting a 24-under 260 to set a new 72-hole tournament record. The 23-year-old Champ gained full-time playing status on the 2019 PGA TOUR by finishing fifth on the 2018 Web.com money list.

Three Patriot All-America alums won Web.com Tour events in 2018, including Chase Wright (2011) Rust-Oleum Championship; Anders Albertson (2011) Lincoln Land Championship; and Trevor Cone (2014) Ellie Mae Classic.

“The incredible success of Patriot All-America alumni is exciting for everyone involved with the Patriot,” said Karen Conway, executive director, Patriot All-America Invitational. “Over the last eight years, we’ve watched and cheered-on Patriot alumni as they’ve competed on the PGA TOUR, in major championships and in international competitions. At the Patriot All-America, we’re literally seeing the stars of tomorrow.”

The Patriot All-America Invitational, held annually December 27-31 on The Wigwam’s Gold Course, pits the best of the best in collegiate golf from every NCAA division plus special invitees.  Throughout the 54-hole championship, each participant honors a fallen or severely injured soldier by carrying a golf bag bearing the name of that soldier. Participants also receive a card with the soldier’s story, so they can be familiar with who that person was, what they represented and how they were killed or wounded in action.

The 2018 Patriot All-America will mark the tournament’s eight event. To date, more than $83 million has been won by Patriot All-America alumni while playing various professional tours and events. The Arizona Golf Association, The West Valley Mavericks, JDM Partners and the Golf Coaches Association of America partner with the Folds of Honor Foundation to host the tournament. For more information on the Patriot All-America Invitational, visit www.patriotallamerica.com.