2016 Patriot All-America Invitational
Collegiate Golf Tournament
FACT SHEET
DATES:
Tournament Week – December 27-31, 2016
54-hole stroke-play competition – December 29, 30, 31
6th Annual Event – First played in 2011
LOCATION:
The Wigwam Golf Club in Litchfield Park, Ariz.
Gold Course – Par 72, 7,430 yards
THE PATRIOT ALL-AMERICA: The Patriot All-America is regarded for its top amateur field internationally, attracting PING All-America golfers from all three NCAA Divisions, NAIA and NJCAA rankings as well as from universities outside the United States. The Arizona Golf Association (AGA), JDM Partners and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) partner with the Folds of Honor Foundation to the tournament.
TOURNAMENT FIELD: 84 Players – Invitations to The Patriot All-America are primarily based on individuals earning PING All-America honors the previous season in NCAA Divisions I, II and III as well as the NAIA and NJCAA Divisions I and II. Additionally, a member from each of the nation’s military academies are invited as well as GCAA national award recipients, members of the most recent Arnold Palmer Cup Teams and AJGA All-Americans and Toyota Junior Golf World Cup participants currently enrolled in their freshman year of college.
2016 CHAMPION EXEMPTION: For the first time in tournament history, the winner of the 2016 Patriot All-America Invitational will receive a sponsor exemption into the Web.com Tour’s 2017 Air Capital Classic in Wichita, Kansas. The Web.com Tour’s 2017 Air Capital Classic will be played June 8-18 at Crestview Country Club in Wichita, Kansas. Two Patriot All-America alums have won the Air Capital Classic, including defending 2016 Air Capital Classic champion Ollie Schniederjans (2011 and 2012 Patriot participant) and 2014 Air Capital Classic champion Sebastian Cappelen (2011, 2012 and 2013 Patriot participant and 2012 Patriot champion). In fact, four of the top-10 finishers from the 2016 Air Capital Classic are Patriot alumni, including Schniederjans (1st), Collin Morikawa (2nd), Brandon Hagy (4th) and Austin Cook (T6th).
DEFENDING CHAMPION:
Braden Thornberry, University of Mississippi, -2 under par (73, 67, 71 – 211)
PAST PATRIOT ALL-AMERICA CHAMPIONS:
2015 Braden Thornberry, University of Mississippi
2014 Kyle Kochevar, University of Virginia
2013 Kyle Westmoreland, Air Force Academy
2012 Sebastian Cappelen, University of Arkansas
2011 Cory Whitsett, University of Alabama
CURRENT PGA TOUR PLAYERS TO PLAY IN PATRIOT ALL-AMERICA:
2011, 2012 Richy Werenski, Georgia Tech
2011, 2012 Ollie Schniederjans, Georgia Tech
2011 Trey Mullinax, University of Alabama
2011 Brooks Koepka, Florida State University
2011 Patrick Rodgers, Stanford University
2011 Justin Thomas, University of Alabama
2012 Daniel Berger, Florida State University
2012 Brandon Hagy, University of California
2013 Bryson DeChambeau, Southern Methodist University
2014 JT Poston, Western Carolina University
RYDER CUP TEAM MEMBERS TO PLAY IN PATRIOT ALL-AMERICA:
2011 Brooks Koepka – 2016 US Ryder Cup Team
FALLEN SOLDIER GOLF BAGS: In cooperation with the Folds of Honor Foundation, the golfers in The Patriot All-America will continue the tradition to represent a fallen soldier. Every participant will receive a golf bag at the event’s opening ceremony with the name and branch of service of a fallen or injured military member whom they shall represent. At the conclusion of the tournament, the golf bags will be shipped to players’ schools and auctioned with all proceeds benefitting the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled while in active service.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT: The Patriot All-America continues to receive tremendous community support by a variety of local businesses and organizations including The Thunderbirds, host organization of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, and the West Valley Mavericks charity group.
WIGWAM GOLF CLUB: The Wigwam’s three 18-hole championship golf courses offer a diversity that cannot be matched by any other Arizona resort. Here, the golf enthusiast has their pick of not just one or two courses, but three 18-hole courses – 54 holes of championship golf including two courses designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Sr. And, in true Wigwam style, each course – The Gold, Patriot, which just celebrated their 50th anniversaries, and Heritage – offers a unique challenge that adds spice and variety to one’s stay at this timeless and relaxing retreat. In December 2009, The Wigwam (including the golf courses and resort property) was purchased by JDM Partners, led by sports icon Jerry Colangelo.
The Gold Course has hosted many signature tournaments over the years, including numerous U.S. Open Qualifiers, U.S. Amateur Qualifiers, several NCAA Regional Championships and the annual Patriot All-America Invitational, one of the top amateur competitions in the world. The 7,430 yard, par 72 course has also received various industry awards and accolades since opening in 1965, including being named one of the “Top 100 Golf Courses in America.” For more information, please visit www.wigwamgolf.com.
ARIZONA GOLF ASSOCIATION: The Arizona Golf Association has been serving amateur golfers in Arizona since 1923 when it held the first State Amateur Championship. Today, it is licensed by the United States Golf Association to provide handicapping and course rating services to member clubs, to provide tournament and rules expertise and to oversee the application of amateur status.
GOLF COACHES ASSOCIATION: Established in 1958, the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) is the professional organization of golf coaches. The GCAA’s mission is to support its member coaches by creating educational opportunities, providing resources, and promoting its members with the purpose of enhancing their overall performance as coaches, mentors, and teachers. The GCAA also recognizes the excellence and achievements of its members and their student-athletes in academic, athletic and civic endeavors.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Karen Conway
MEDIA CONTACT: Rob Myers, [email protected], 602-317-6131
WEBSITE: www.patriotallamerica.com
SOCIAL MEDIA INFO: Twitter: @PatriotAllAm
Facebook: @PatriotAllAmerica
Instagram: @PatriotAllAm
2016 PATRIOT ALL-AMERICA INVITATIONAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Tuesday, December 27th
10:30 AM – Opening Ceremonies on Wigwam Golf Club’s Practice Range
Noon – AM/AM Tournament on Wigwam’s Gold Course
Wednesday, December 28th
Morning – Luke Air Force Base tour for Patriot All-America participants
Afternoon – Practice rounds for participants
Thursday, December 29th
9:30 AM – First Round of Patriot All-America Invitational scheduled to begin
2 PM – Patriot Jr. Clinic on Wigwam Practice Green
4 PM – First Round scheduled to end
Friday, December 30th
9:30 AM – Second Round of Patriot All-America Invitational scheduled to begin
4 PM – Second Round scheduled to end
Saturday, December 31st
9:30 AM – Final Round of Patriot All-America Invitational scheduled to begin
4:20 PM – Awards ceremony on 18th green of Wigwam’s Gold Course