VALLEY TOYOTA DEALERS ASSOCIATION TO SPONSOR 2017 PATRIOT ALL-AMERICA INVITATIONAL

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PHOENIX, Ariz. (November 30, 2017) – The Valley Toyota Dealers Association, a collection of ten Toyota dealerships across the Phoenix area, will be the title sponsor the 2017 Patriot All-America Invitational. The Patriot All-America Invitational presented by the Valley Toyota Dealers will be played at The Wigwam Golf Club in Litchfield Park, Ariz., December 29-31 and is regarded as a top amateur event internationally, attracting PING All-America golfers from all three NCAA Divisions, NAIA and NJCAA rankings as well as from universities outside the United States.

As part of their title sponsorship of the event, the Valley Toyota Dealers Association will receive more than 1,000 passes to the tournament, playing spots in the AM-AM tournament played on Thursday, December 28th as well as multiple vehicle displays throughout the tournament grounds.

Now in its 7th year, the Patriot All-America Invitational is a collaboration between the Arizona Golf Association, JDM Partners and the Golf Coaches Association of America in partnership with the Folds of Honor Foundation. Current PGA TOUR stars who have played in The Patriot All-America Invitational during their college careers, include: 2017 US Open champion Brooks Koepka (2011), 2017 PGA Championship winner and FedEx Cup champion Justin Thomas (2011), Patrick Rodgers (2011), Daniel Berger (2012) and Bryson DeChambeau (2013). 2016 Patriot All-America champion Cameron Champ recently turned professional and is now playing on the PGA TOUR.

“We are excited to welcome the Valley Toyota Dealers as the title sponsor of the Patriot All-America,” said Karen Conway, executive director, Patriot All-America Invitational. “Through incredible community support from the Valley Toyota Dealers, Lockheed Martin, Pyramid Resort Group, the West Valley Mavericks, The Thunderbirds, and countless others, we continue to grow and improve this event. We can’t thank our sponsors enough for their support.”

Patriot All-America Invitational participants play for more than themselves or their school. Each golfer honors a fallen or severely injured soldier by carrying a golf bag bearing the name of that soldier. Before the tournament, participants receive a card with the soldier’s story, so they can be familiar with who that person was, what they represented and how they were killed or wounded in action. At the conclusion of the tournament, the golf bags are shipped to players’ schools and auctioned with all proceeds benefitting the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled while in active service.

“The Valley Toyota Dealers Association is proud to sponsor this awesome event,” said John O’Malley, President of the Valley Toyota Dealers Association. “The Patriot is more than a collegiate golf tournament, it’s a patriotic and emblematic event that does an amazing job of honoring our military and reminding us all of their courage and sacrifice for our country.”

The 2017 Patriot All-America Invitational presented by the Valley Toyota Dealers 54-hole, stroke play competition will be played December 29, 30 and 31 with a champion crowned at approximately 4 PM on New Year’s Eve. The winner of the tournament receives a sponsor exemption into the Web.com Tour’s Air Capital Classic played June 21 – 24 at Crestview Country Club in Wichita, Kansas. For more information on The Patriot All-America Invitational presented by the Valley Toyota Dealers, visit www.patriotallamerica.com.

About The Valley Toyota Dealers Association
Founded in 1989, Valley Toyota Dealers consists of all 10 Toyota dealers in the metropolitan Phoenix area, including AutoNation Toyota, Tempe, Toyota in Avondale, Bell Road Toyota, Big Two Toyota, Camelback Toyota, Earnhardt Toyota, Larry H. Miller Toyota, Right Toyota, Riverview Toyota and Toyota of Surprise.

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. Here, the golf enthusiast has their pick of not just one or two courses, but three 18-hole courses – 54 holes of championship golf including two courses designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The Gold, Blue and Red Courses each offer unique challenges that adds spice and variety to one’s stay at this timeless and relaxing retreat. In December 2009, The Wigwam (including the golf courses and resort property) was purchased by JDM Partners, led by sports icon Jerry Colangelo.

The Gold Course hosts many signature tournaments, including 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 course has also received various industry awards and accolades since opening in 1965, including being named one of the “Top 100 Golf Courses in America.” 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.