PHOENIX, Ariz. (December 5, 2018) – Military heroes and first responders will have an incredible new venue to enjoy the golf action at the 2018 Patriot All-America Invitational presented by the Valley Toyota Dealers. Played at The Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park, Ariz. December 29th – 31st , the tournament’s new “Salute to Service” venue will be free of charge for all active duty, reserve and retired U.S. military from all five branches of the Armed Forces, plus first responders including law enforcement agencies, firefighters and emergency medical personnel.

Located adjacent to the 18th green, the Salute to Service venue will be open during tournament action on Saturday, December 29th through Monday, December 31st. Military personnel and first responders (+ one guest) can enjoy great food and drinks (complimentary) and watch golf’s stars of tomorrow in a relaxed and comfortable setting. In order to accommodate as many military heroes and first responders in the Salute to Service venue, official military or department ID’s will be required to gain access, and the one-guest maximum guideline will be strictly enforced.

Now in its 8th year, the Patriot All-America Invitational is a 54-hole, stroke play competition that attracts a top international amateur field of PING All-America golfers from all three NCAA Divisions, NAIA and NJCAA rankings as well as from universities outside the United States.  The Patriot All-America is a collaboration between the Arizona Golf Association, JDM Partners, The West Valley Mavericks and the Golf Coaches Association of America in partnership with the Folds of Honor Foundation. The Thunderbirds, hosts of the PGA TOUR’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, volunteer at and support the event.

“We’re excited and proud to honor our military heroes and first responders at this year’s tournament through the Salute to Service venue,” said Justin James of the West Valley Mavericks. “At The Patriot, we’ve traditionally honored fallen soldiers by having golfers carry golf bags bearing fallen soldiers names. That tradition is very impactful for the golfers and families of the soldiers and will continue again this year. With the Salute to Service venue, we’re able to recognize and thank those who have served, are currently serving and those who protect us each day.”

Patriot All-America Invitational participants play for more than themselves or their school. Each golfer honors a fallen or severely injured soldier by carrying a golf bag bearing the name of that soldier. Before the tournament, participants 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. At the conclusion of the tournament, the golf bags are shipped to players’ schools and auctioned with all proceeds benefitting the Folds of Honor Foundation.

Patriot All-America alumni now playing on the PGA TOUR, include three-time major winner Brooks Koepka (2011 Patriot participant); Justin Thomas (2011); Daniel Berger (2012); Bryson DeChambeau (2013); and Cameron Champ, the 2016 Patriot All-America Invitational champion.

The 2018 Patriot All-America Invitational presented by the Valley Toyota Dealers 54-hole, stroke play competition will be played December 29, 30 and 31with a champion crowned at approximately 4 PM on New Year’s Eve.  The winner of the tournament receives a sponsor exemption into the Web.com Tour’s Wichita Open played June 20 – 23 at Crestview Country Club in Wichita, Kansas. For more information on The Patriot All-America Invitational presented by the Valley Toyota Dealers, visit www.patriotallamerica.com.