Golfers will compete in a three day, 54-hole tournament on the Wigwam’s Gold course in what is a bowl-like experience for the participants. The field is highlighted by more than 45 golfers from Division I schools with several from the top-100. Notables committed to play this year are Charlie Danielson of University of Illinois, Jose Mendez of University of Minnesota, Taylor Moore of University of Arkansas, and Byron Meth of University of the Pacific to name a few. The invitational entices players internationally, including Gary Hurley of National University of Ireland Maynooth and Jack McDonald of University of Stirling (Scottland).
Invitations to The Patriot All-America are primarily based on individuals earning PING All-America honors the previous season. Additionally, a member from each of the United States Military Academies have been invited as well as GCAA national award recipients, members of the most recent Palmer Cup Teams and AJGA All-Americans and Toyota Junior Golf World Cup participants currently enrolled in their freshman year of college.
“The Patriot continues to attract even higher levels of non-professional golfers each year, which creates a national championship-level feel, which we witnessed last year following a three hole playoff,” said Tom O’Malley, Chief Operating Officer of JDM Partners, which owns The Wigwam.
In cooperation with the Folds of Honor Foundation, the golfers in the Patriot All-America will continue the tradition to represent a fallen service member. Every participant will receive a golf bag at the event’s opening ceremony with the name and branch of service of a fallen military member whom they shall represent. Following the tournament, the bags will be auctioned off to alumni at respective schools with all proceeds benefitting the Folds of Honor Foundation to provide post-secondary educational scholarships to the families of the military service men and women killed or disabled while in active service.