Patriot All-America Champions

Caden Fioroni, 2022 Men’s Division Champion

University of Nevada, Las Vegas junior Caden Fioroni won the men’s division of the 12th annual Patriot All-America at The Wigwam Golf Club. Fioroni birdied five of his last seven holes on the Gold Course, including his last three in a row to tie the Patriot All-America Men’s Division low round with a 63 to seal his victory at -12. 

“I have no words right now, honestly I knew I was really behind today and this is the first time I never thought about my score,” said Fioroni, an All-Mountain West selection from San Diego, Calif. “I knew I needed to make as many birdies as I could. I was so much in the zone I didn’t realize until after the round that I shot 8-under. I’m kind of in shock right now – I don’t know what to say.” 

Fioroni honored Air Force Chief Master Sergeant William Kendall throughout the tournament.

Antonia Malate, 2022 Women’s Division Champion

San Jose State University graduate student Antonia Malate won the 2022 Patriot All-America Women’s Division. Malate finished 54 holes of play tied for the lead with Arizona State University’s Grace Summerhays and Emma McMyler of Xavier University at -9 overall.

The 36-hole leader Summerhays was eliminated from the playoff after a par on the first playoff hole (hole 18 of the Blue Course) fell short of the birdies made by Malate and McMyler. The duo would each birdie the next two playoff holes (both hole 18) before each reaching the 18th green in two on the fourth extra hole. McMyler just missed her 25-foot putt, while Malate buried her left-to-right 20-footer for eagle and the F-35 Lightning II Patriot All-America trophy.

Malate honored Army Sergeant Jose Regalado throughout the tournament.

Left to right: Joseph Lloyd, Chaz Aurilia, Calvin McCoy

Chaz Aurilia, 2022 Thunderbolt Champion

University of Arizona senior Chaz Aurilia won the inaugural Thunderbolt Division of the Patriot All-America Invitational at Sterling Grove Golf + Country Club in Surprise, Ariz. 

Aurilia and Joseph Lloyd of Fresno State shot the same score for the three straight rounds, both firing 68-66-69 to finish the 54-hole event at -13 overall, three shots ahead of Aurilia’s Arizona teammate Calvin McCoy. On the second playoff hole, Aurilia made a 20-foot birdie putt to put the pressure on Lloyd. On the opposite side of the green, Lloyd’s 18-footer lipped out, leaving the Scottsdale native with his hands on his hips in disbelief. 

Although Thunderbolt participants do not receive and carry a golf bag with the name of a fallen soldier, they are presented with a story card describing the life of one of the soldiers being honored. Aruilia carried the tag of Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Douglas Vose III on his golf bag.

Past Champions

Men's Division Champions

The original championship started in 2011 with 84 male collegians who made the PING All-America team during that year in all NCAA divisions as well as AJGA All-Americans. As the championship gained in popularity and attained status on the World Amateur the field and eligibility expanded.

Women's Division Champions

The women’s division was added in 2021 with 42 players invited to compete. It turned out to be such a success that the next year, the field size was expanded to 66 players.

The Thunderbolt

The Thunderbolt (named after the Air Force P-47 Thunderbolt) consists of up to 72 players and acts as feeder tournament for the Patriot in the event of a withdrawal. The top three finishers automatically receive an invitation to the next year’s Patriot All-America at the Wigwam.