While most of the country was enjoying the holidays in the comfort of their homes, a talented group of collegiate golfers were competing in the Patriot All-America Golf Tournament at The Wigwam Golf Club in Arizona.
The Patriot All-America is regarded as one of the top amateur events in the nation, attracting PING All-America golfers from the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA, as well as from universities outside the United States. The Arizona Golf Association (AGA), JDM Partners and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) join with the Folds of Honor Foundation to host the tournament.
The event honors fallen or severely wounded soldiers in partnership with the Folds of Honor Foundation. All golfers receive a PING golf bag emblazoned with the name and branch of service of a fallen, or injured military member, whom they shall represent. Participants also receive a card with the soldier’s story so they can be familiar with that soldier, giving many of the top players a unique perspective not only on golf, but on life. 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.
Four Ohio golfers were invited to participate in the 2022 Patriot All-America. Chandler Jackson and Max Moldovan from Ohio State were joined by Ty Gingerich from the University of Cincinnati in the men’s competition. With three rounds of 68-71-74 Gingerich finished tied for 32nd. Jackson, T-42 and Moldovan finished T-55.
UNLV’s Caden Fioroni began the final found six shots behind the leader, but fired a final round 63 to reach 12-under par for the one-stroke win over Ben Lorenz, from Oklahoma University.
Xavier’s Emma McMyler finished tied for first place at 9-under par In the Women’s Division with two other ladies. Antonia Malate from San Jose State eagled the 18th hole to win the four-hole playoff over Grace Summerhays, from Arizona State and McMyler.
