Dec. 30, 2011

LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. – Ole Miss senior golfer Joe David concluded the 2011 year in style this week in Arizona earning a top five finish in the inaugural Patriot All-America Invitational at the Wigwam Golf Club.

The Madison, Tenn., native tied for fifth with a 3-under 72-67-71—210 at the Par 71, 7006 yard Gold Course.

After shooting 1-over in the first round, David bounced back with a 4-under 67 that included five birdies to move up to a tie for ninth.  In the final round, he carded three birdies.  

“It was cool. It was a different kind of tournament to play in.  You kind of just go out there and have fun and really don’t have any pressure,” David said.  “The weather was great.  

“I came into the tournament and didn’t think I was as prepared as I needed to be.  I was just coming here to have fun and play the best I could. I had some rusty spots along the way, but for the most part I played well.”  

Every year, there are a few tournaments in between the fall and spring seasons that offer collegiate golfers a chance to keep the competitive fire going until the spring season starts.  It seems this one enjoyed a successful debut.

“For the first year it was very organized, and I thought they [tournament organizers] did a great job,” David said.  “It’s good to keep the cobwebs off and it keeps you in the frame of mind you need to be in for the rest of the golf year.”

The Patriot All-America featured 84 of the top collegiate golfers from across the nation, and included 21 of the world’s top-100 ranked amateurs.

Alabama’s Cory Whitsett won the event with an impressive 14-under 69-64-66—199.  His teammate, Bobby Wyatt, took second with a 69-66-67—202.   Two players tied for third and one other tied with David for fifth.

The Wigwam Golf Club, along with the Arizona Golf Association (AGA) and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA), partnered with the Folds of Honor Foundation to host this event.  To show support for Folds of Honor, each golfer carried a commemorative PING golf bag bearing the name of a fallen soldier.

David played in honor of Army 1st Sergeant Michael J. Bordelon (Morgan City, La.) who died in 2005 from injuries sustained April 23, 2005, in Mosul, Iraq.

“It was very humbling,” David said.  “It was a reminder that golf is just a game we play.  There are a lot more important things in life.  When it comes down to it, it’s just a game.”

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PATRIOT ALL-AMERICA INVITATIONAL – LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz.
Top 10 (Final)
1. Cory Whitsett  69-64-66--199
2. Bobby Wyatt  69-66-67--202
T3. Austin Cook 70-70-69--209
T3. Julian Suri 71-68-70--209
T5. Joe David  72-67-71--210
T5. Paul McConnell  76-65-69--210
T7. Johannes Veerman 68-69-74--211    
T7. Richy Werenski 72-69-70--211    
T7. Andrew Yun 69-75-67--211    
T10. Evan Beck 72-68-72--212    
T10. Ben Klaus 73-67-72--212    
T10. Patrick Rodgers 73-69-70--212