Auburn senior shoots final round -3 (67) to finish -8 overall, two shots better than Lincoln Memorial University senior Dan Bradbury
LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. – Auburn University senior Graysen Huff shot a third straight round of par or better Thursday at the Wigwam Golf Club Gold Course, turning in a final-round -3 (67) to win the 2020 Patriot All-America Invitational at -8 overall. Huff’s final score was two shots better than Lincoln Memorial University senior Dan Bradbury, who finished alone in second at -6. View the entire leaderboard here.
“It’s pretty awesome – I don’t really have words for it,” said Huff, the Eagle, Idaho-native playing in his second straight Patriot All-America. “This is what we work for, to just give yourself the opportunity. Thankfully the cards fell my way this week.”
Huff found himself down one stroke to Bradbury on the par-4 13th hole, before finding another gear down the stretch. Bradbury would bogey 13 to drop to -5, and Huff would birdie three of his last five holes to take home the F-35 Trophy and authentic Air Force leather flight jacket. In all, 83 of the top amateur players in the world made up this year’s 10th Anniversary Patriot All-America field.
“It’s actually funny, I had the same club in I think on the last five holes,” said Huff. “I hit a lot of really good shots coming in and I think I birdied three of them. It was a little bit of a difference maker and put me just enough ahead to cruise through 18.”
Bradbury entered the final round three shots back of Huff, but quickly made up the deficit with birdies on three of his first four holes. The Yorkshire, England-native improved his score each round at the Wigwam (71-67-66), but ran out of steam in his pursuit of the lead.
“It was the perfect start really – the front nine was kind of getable and I took advantage of the getable holes,” said Bradbury, playing in his first Patriot All-America. “It feels good putting your name up there, but to do it at such a good event like this, it means more this week. So it’s extra special.”
Turk Pettit of Clemson University and Logan McAllister of Oklahoma University finished tied for third at -4, respectively. University of Arizona teammates Christian Banke and Trevor Werbylo, along with San Diego State University’s Puwit Anupansuebsai, finished tied for fifth at -3.
The Patriot All-America honors fallen or severely wounded soldiers in partnership with the Folds of Honor Foundation. The golfers receive a golf bag donated by PING Corporation at the event’s opening ceremony emblazoned with the name and branch of service of a fallen or injured military member whom they shall represent. Participants also receive a card with the soldier’s story so they can be familiar with that soldier. The theme of the tournament made a visible impression on many players.
“It’s a bummer I don’t get to play next year, I’ll just say that,” said Huff just after winning the event. “It’s a special event, a special place and a special atmosphere here.”
“Obviously being from England it’s a little different, but I respect it so much,” said Bradbury. “It is a really cool experience, something totally different to what I’ve ever had before. It’s nice.”
For all information on the Patriot All-America, including links to final results, live stream recordings and social media posts, visit patriotallamerica.com.
About The Patriot All-America Invitational
Featuring golf’s stars of tomorrow, The Patriot All-America is regarded as a top amateur event nationally, 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) partnering with the Folds of Honor Foundation to host the tournament. For more information visit patriotallamerica.com.
About Wigwam Golf Club
The Wigwam’s three 18-hole championship golf courses offer a diversity that cannot be matched by any other Arizona resort, with 54 holes of championship golf including two courses designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Sr. 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 track has also received various industry awards and accolades since opening in 1965, including being named one of the “Top 100 Golf Courses in America.” In December 2009, The Wigwam (including the golf courses and resort property) was purchased by JDM Partners, led by sports icon Jerry Colangelo. For more information, please visit www.wigwamgolf.com.
About 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. For more information please visit azgolf.org.
About The West Valley Mavericks
The West Valley Mavericks Foundation (a 501(c)(3) non-profit) was born of the imagination and vision of a group of community leaders late in 2012. The West Valley Mavericks (or just ‘Mavericks’) is a group led by gentlemen who believe that the West Valley is an incredible place to live, work, and play. The Mavericks’ charter is to advance charity, culture, community, and commerce in the West Valley of Phoenix. As an organization, we use individual contributions, fundraising events, business sponsorships, ticket sales donations, as well as hands-on community service to raise money to assist children and families, help people in need, and improve the quality of life in our West Valley communities. For more information please visit westvalleymavericksfoundation.org.
About Golf Coaches Association of America
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.