Past Champions - Thunderbolt Division
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.
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.