Past Champions - Thunderbolt Division
Zander Grant, 2024 Thunderbolt Champion
Zander Grant of the University of Denver turned a 36-hole tie for the lead into the 2024 Thunderbolt championship, shooting a -2 (70) in Tuesday’s final round at Sterling Grove Golf + Country Club in Surprise, to finish at -10 overall (206).
“I had a plan in mind and stuck to it,” said Grant, a sophomore from Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. “I had a lot of ups and downs today and it really could have gotten out of hand for me but I just kept my mind in it and stuck to my plan, and it all just worked out in the end.”
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. Grant carried the tag of Marine Corps Captain Daniel McCollum. on his bag.
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.
Left to right: Joseph Lloyd, Chaz Aurilia, Calvin McCoy
Chaz Aurilia, 2022 Thunderbolt Champion
University of Arizona senior Chaz Aurilia won the inaugural Thunderbolt Division of the Patriot All-America Invitational at Sterling Grove Golf + Country Club in Surprise, Ariz.
Aurilia and Joseph Lloyd of Fresno State shot the same score for the three straight rounds, both firing 68-66-69 to finish the 54-hole event at -13 overall, three shots ahead of Aurilia’s Arizona teammate Calvin McCoy. On the second playoff hole, Aurilia made a 20-foot birdie putt to put the pressure on Lloyd. On the opposite side of the green, Lloyd’s 18-footer lipped out, leaving the Scottsdale native with his hands on his hips in disbelief.
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 Chief Warrant Officer 2 Douglas Vose III on his golf bag.