54-Hole Nationally Recognized Tournament Begins Sunday.
Benefitting: Pat Tillman Foundation & Folds Of Honor
Collegiate Golf’s “Bowl Game Experience”
Litchfield Park, AZ (Update – December 29, 2019) –A clear cold morning quickly turned into a perfect day for the first round of The Patriot All-America presented by Valley Toyota Dealers held at The Wigwam Golf Club in Litchfield Park, Arizona. As the crowd began to fill the Skyboxes, David Perkins from Illinois State University, (honoring Army Major Christopher J. Splinter) began to tee off and never looked back. Onlookers on the 18th green watched David’s name quickly move up the giant scoreboard after notching 6 birdies on the first 9 holes.
“Conditions could not have provided a better day for golf, the course was in pristine shape, 2 mph winds, clear skies, and he (David) took full advantage of it.” – Justin James 2018 Tournament Chairman
This is David’s first time experiencing The Patriot All-America and since opening ceremonies his entire perspective has changed.
“I wanted to come play some golf in warmer weather, but as the tournament preaches it’s really a bigger picture thing and golf is not the most important thing. It’s more about those that represent our country, I honestly got a little emotional at opening ceremonies. Listening to that woman’s story (Wesley Baguguess) and look at all the 84 people that we are representing this week it was pretty special. I saved her quote about having a battle buddy and representing the person on your bag. She said they’ll be there with you and I began catching myself looking at the quote every hole and if I had a bad shot I looked at the bag and reflected, things could be worse.” – David Perkins – Illinois State University
Adding excitement to this year’s tournament marks the first time two past champions have played together with 2017 Patriot All-America Champion Mason Overstreet from University Of Arkansas (-1) (honoring USMC Chad D. Frokjer) and 2018 Patriot All-America Champion Isiah Jackson from University Of Memphis (E) (honoring Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jeffrey L. Wiener). Both players were tied through 18 until Jackson’s putt nearly missed on his final hole of the day.
Mason Overstreet – On his 1-under-par 69
It started out pretty slow, up, and down. I holed out number three to go 1-under-par, had a couple of bad bogies in middle, but ended up 1-under-par. That’s a really good round out here, but still several behind the leader who is 6-under-par. I know a few got away from me, just need to keep doing what I’m doing. Driving and putting are going well just need to start firing at the pins; need to get closer to the hole.
As a senior what does this year mean to you?
This is by far my favorite tournament of the year, just the atmosphere with the military and all the people around cheering you on. It’s really cool just going to events with the guys and do things together; it’s just fun.
Isaiah Jackson – Even – 67
It was alright, I did not feel comfortable over the ball, did not hit it like I can. Even par is pretty decent considering it’s pretty hard to score if you are not close to the hole. 6-under-par is pretty impressive for anyone to shoot, but i’m alright with it. I am going to work on hitting the ball a little better, and get a few more putts to fall and tomorrow should be a good day.
On returning to the Patriot All-America
It’s awesome, that experience is amazing (pointing to the 18th corral), everyone is very accepting. I’ve heard the chants “The Champ Is Here” The Champ Is Here” it is a great atmosphere to be a part of. I love coming out here, I have my family here so it’s pretty special as well.
Top 10 Results From 1st Round: https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/2340130
Round 2 of The Patriot All-America presented by Valley Toyota Dealers scheduled to tee off at 9:30AM on Monday December 30th on the Wigwam Golf Club’s Gold Course. The 54-hole, stroke-play competition will conclude on Tuesday December 31st ( New Year’s Eve ). The winner of the tournament receives a sponsor exemption into the Korn Ferry Tour’s Wichita Open played June 20-23 at Crestview Country Club in Wichita, Kansas. For more information and live tournament scoring, visit www.PatriotAllAmerica.Com
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