Luke Air Force Base has become a big part of the Patriot All-America. Here the 84 contestants in this year’s edition of the tournament pose for their group portrait between two fighters (an F-16 and a F35).


experience as well as that of players. Specific plans include adding more


hospitality venues like the “Corral” party-tent experiences at the 16th and 18th holes, and putting real-time electronic scoreboards in place to help keep fans updated about the action. This year, James said, the group


expected about 700 fans to visit a hospitality area beside the 18th hole but drew nearly 1,000. There also are plans to add a “military


Patriot All-America set to soar to new heights


West Valley Mavericks in line to sponsor event for 2018 By John Davis


O


ver the past seven years, the Patriot All-America has established itself as one of the premier golf tournaments in


Arizona, and organizers have plans to take it to even greater heights. The event at The Wigwam Resort


in Litchfield Park, which features many of the top collegiate golfers in the country, as well as budding international stars, is exploring several ways to enhance the experience for golfers and spectators alike. “It has far surpassed what we thought


it would be in the beginning,” AGA executive director Ed Gowan said. “It’s grown every year and this community has really gotten behind the event in a way that we couldn’t really expect. “With the partners we have and


now the Phoenix Thunderbirds and West Valley Mavericks increasing their commitment, who knows how far it could possibly go? But the direction is definitely upwards.”


28 | AZ GOLF Insider | PREVIEW 2018 The Mavericks, in particular, are


expanding their partnership with the event. The non-profit organization of West Valley business and community leaders will assume a more active role in planning, hosting and execution of the Patriot, specifically taking over sponsorship and finances in 2018 and expanding promotional efforts. “We really think this event is in its


infancy,” Mavericks president Robert Stockley said. “Our vision starts with talent, bringing in even more of the best college golfers and growing it into the best college tournament in the country that will kind of serve as a gateway to the PGA Tour. “We have spent time talking


with the players here to get their input on what would make this an even better experience for them.” Mavericks executive director Justin


James, a Navy veteran and former college golfer at the U.S. Naval Academy, said the group has plans to enhance the spectator


tent,” open to active military and veterans as well as EMTs and other community service personnel, and to expand national media coverage on networks such as ESPN, Golf Channel and Fox Sports. “What the AGA, JDM Partners and


the Golf Coaches Association have accomplished is incredible,” James said. “Now we are going to put 45 or 50 Mavericks members to work selling this event and take it to the next level. “We think we can draw even more


of the top amateur players in the world, and around the holidays and with the support we receive from Luke Air Force Base and the community, it really lends itself to a great fan experience.” The Patriot grew out of talks that


started eight years ago between Gowan and Gregg Grost of the GCAA. The idea was to create a “bowl experience for college golfers” during college football season. The Wigwam and Tom O’Malley of the ownership group JDM, were quick to come on board as the host site. The Thunderbirds, hosts of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, also offered their full support. What has made it unique is its tie of


the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides educational scholarships to spouses and children of fallen and severely disabled service members. Luke Air Force Base also joined in the effort and has become an integral part of the event, allowing golfers to tour the nearby base and spend time talking with active military members. Golfers carry the names of fallen


and injured soldiers on their bags, along www.azgolf.org


PATRIOT ALL-AMERICA


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