The Patriot All-America
The Patriot All-America Invitational, which features PING All-Americans from the previous season in NCAA Divisions I, II and III, as well as All-Americans from the NAIA, NJCAA and AJGA ranks, takes place annually from Dec. 27-31 at The Wigwam Golf Resort in Litchfield Park.
The 54-hole amateur event held at the Wigwam Resort is the first of its kind to combine the talents of 150 nationally recognized players (84 men and 66 women) in a holiday bowl-like experience. It is the combined effort of the Arizona Golf Association, the West Valley Mavericks, the Golf Coaches Association of America, the Women’s Golf Coaches Association and the Wigwam Golf Resort in conjunction with the tournament’s beneficiary, the Folds of Honor Foundation.
The unique aspect of this Championship is that the players also honor our military heroes. In fact, that is the foundation of this event. We honor the military throughout the week. At the opening ceremony, each golfer receives and carries a commemorative PING golf bag that bears the name and branch of a fallen or wounded hero. Additionally, all of the golfers have the opportunity to visit Luke Air Force Base, the training center for our nation’s F-16 and F-35 fighter pilots. There, they meet with the General, fighter pilots and crew, and tour the base while participating in activities rarely seen by civilians.
The players carry the bag and honor that soldier throughout the week. Upon conclusion, the bags are shipped back to the player’s school where they are auctioned off with the proceeds benefiting the Folds of Honor charity.
In 2022, a new division was added to the Championship – The Thunderbolt. This is a satellite tournament that features up to 72 male golfers that satisfied the eligibility requirements but were unable to make it to the Patriot. It is held at a neighboring golf course site. If any of the players in the Patriot withdraw, replacements are pulled from the Thunderbolt. Click Here for more information about the Thunderbolt.