Patriot All-America Champions
Ian Gilligan, 2023 Men’s Division Champion
University of Florida junior Ian Gilligan capped off a wire-to-wire Men’s Division win with a -2 (68), good for -12 overall (198). On the Wigwam Golf Club’s Gold Course, Gilligan entered the final round with a two-shot lead and played steady golf to maintain the lead the entire final round. He recorded two birdies and an eagle on 15 to solidify his standing.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet, but I’m stoked,” said Gilligan, a Long Beach State transfer and the reigning Big West Conference individual champion. “I didn’t get off to an amazing start – it was a little slow – but I stuck around and waited for my opportunities. I was lucky to get a hole out, which helped, and then hung in there at the end. But I’m extremely to win this event.”
Gilligan honored Army Captain John E Tipton throughout the tournament.
Tillie Claggett, 2023 Women’s Division Champion
Vanderbilt University sophomore Tillie Claggett fired a Patriot All-America Women’s Division record -9 (61) in Sunday’s final round to capture the prestigious Folded Flag trophy and Bomber Jacket at -12 overall (198). For Claggett, the Wigwam competitive course record 61 saw five birdies on the front nine followed by four more on the back, including each of the last two holes on the Blue Course.
“It sounds like I’m going to have a lot of fun for New Year’s Eve,” said Claggett, a Communications major from The Woodlands, Tex. “I’ve kind of been waiting for an individual wins since I moved out of my junior career into my amateur career. So this definitely feels good.”
Claggett honored Army National Guard Specialist Lyle W. Rymer throughout the tournament.
Left to right: Joseph Lloyd, Chaz Aurilia, Calvin McCoy
Cooper Jones, 2023 Thunderbolt Champion
Brigham Young University freshman Cooper Jones went wire-to-wire to win the 2023 Thunderbolt at Sterling Grove Golf + Country Club in Surprise, firing rounds of -6 (66), -6 (66) and -4 (68) for a -16 overall (200).
A“It feels great to come out here and get a win,” said Jones, a freshman from Highland, Utah. “I struck the ball well and I played well. I didn’t make a lot of mistakes, so I feel good.” Not many mistakes is an understatment. In his final round, Jones posted six birdies to give him a whopping 21 for the three-day Thunderbolt.
Although Thunderbolt participants do not receive and carry a golf bag with the name of a fallen soldier, they are presented with a story card describing the life of one of the soldiers being honored. Aruilia carried the tag of Army Sergeant Eric Snell on his golf bag.
Past Champions
Men's Division Champions
The original championship started in 2011 with 84 male collegians who made the PING All-America team during that year in all NCAA divisions as well as AJGA All-Americans. As the championship gained in popularity and attained status on the World Amateur the field and eligibility expanded.
Women's Division Champions
The women’s division was added in 2021 with 42 players invited to compete. It turned out to be such a success that the next year, the field size was expanded to 66 players.
The Thunderbolt
The Thunderbolt (named after the Air Force P-47 Thunderbolt) consists of up to 72 players and acts as feeder tournament for the Patriot in the event of a withdrawal. The top three finishers automatically receive an invitation to the next year’s Patriot All-America at the Wigwam.