LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. – Michigan State University senior Valery Plata and Georgia Tech University senior Connor Howe went low in Friday’s final round of the 11th annual Patriot All-America to win their respective divisions. Plata birdied 18 for a -4 (66) to finish off a three-shot win at -12 overall on The Wigwam Golf Club Blue Course, while Howe tied the Patriot All-America low round mark of -7 (63) to finish -15 overall on Golf Course, also good for a three-shot victory. View the final leaderboard here.
“I didn’t know where I stood with the rest of the field coming up 18, so I just wanted to give myself a good look and not make any big numbers, and that’s what I did,” said Howe, whose 255-yard albatross on the par-5 10th hole shot him to the top of the leaderboard, part of a -7 (28) back nine. “I knew I needed to get something going – I didn’t know how much – but the albatross really kicked things into gear.”
“It feels really special – I’m just really happy to be able to get it done,” said Plata, a native of Floridablanca, Colombia, and a former Big 10 Player of the Year. “It was a hard day today at the beginning so I’m just happy that things worked out my way today.”
Plata came into the final round tied for the lead, but a double bogey on the par-5 3rd hole of The Wigwam Blue Course dropped her down the leaderboard. She would rebound to make six birdies in her last 15 holes to win the inaugural Women’s Division, three shots clear of Clemson University junior Ivy Shepherd at -9. Arizona State University sophomore Ashley Menne finished alone in third at -8, with Sabrina Iqbal of Texas Christian University, Caley McGinty of Oklahoma State University and Natasha Andrea Oon of San Jose State University tying for fourth. But no one could catch Plata.
“I was pretty confident on my approach shots,” said Plata. “I wasn’t hitting it all that great, but I hit a couple good ones, and then the putter was rolling in pretty well so I think that helped me a lot.”
Over on The Wigwam Gold Course, Howe made the turn at -8, two shots off the lead, before landing a 3-iron just short of the hole, finding the cup after one hop. He would go on to make five more birdies to finish the back nine at -7, the lowest closing nine in Patriot All-America history.
“I just started putting well – I made some putts on 12 and 13 and I had some good looks at birdie – and I capitalized,” said Howe. “Howe quote.”
Palmer Jackson of the University of Notre Dame shot a second consecutive -3 (67) to finish alone in second at -12 overall. Nick Lyerly of UNC-Greensboro, first round leader Chase Sienkiewicz of the University of Arizona, Mason Andersen of Arizona State University and 36-hole leader Hunter Eichhorn of Marquette University all tied for third at -11 overall.
The Patriot All-America honors fallen or severely wounded soldiers in partnership with the Folds of Honor Foundation. The golfers received a golf bag donated by PING Corporation at the event’s opening ceremony this past Sunday emblazoned with the name and branch of service of a fallen or injured military member whom they shall represent. Participants also received a card with the soldier’s story so they can be familiar with that soldier.
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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.
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.
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.