PHOENIX, Ariz. (December 19, 2018) – Cindy McCain, widow of United States Senator John McCain, businesswoman and philanthropist, will speak at the 2018 Patriot All-America Invitational Opening Ceremony on Friday, December 28th at 10 AM at The Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park, Ariz. McCain will address the 84 collegiate golfers playing in the Patriot All-America, as well as dignitaries, fans and sponsors attending the Opening Ceremony.  The Opening Ceremony will take place on The Wigwam Golf Club’s practice range and is free for the public to attend.

Now in its 8th year, the Patriot All-America Invitational is a golf tournament unlike any other, as participants play in honor of 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. The Patriot All-America has been honoring fallen or severely wounded soldiers in this unique way since the event’s inception in 2011 and it continues to have a deep impact on the young golfers.

Also speaking at the Opening Ceremony will be Folds of Honor Senior Vice President Major Ed Pulido; Luke Air Force Base 56th Fighter Wing Commander, General Todd Canterbury; 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open Assistant Tournament Chairman, Major Tim Woods; and West Valley Maverick’s President Wade Accomazzo.  The Opening Ceremony will be emceed by legendary Valley sportscaster Jeff Munn and will feature the presentation of colors by the Luke Air Force Base Joint Color Guard, the National Anthem performed by U.S. Navy Retired Petty Officer First Class Steven Powell, a United States Air Force F-35 flyover and a United States Air Force Wings of Blue parachute descent.

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.

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.