- Patriot All-America photo
Noah Norton (Chico, Calif.) of Georgia Tech University shot a final-round 2-under 68 at the Wigwam Golf Resort (Gold Course) to earn a narrow one-shot win at the Patriot All-America Golf Classic.
Norton started the day in a three-way tie for the lead with David Perkins of Illinois State and Mason Andersen of Arizona State University, and watched as the top of the leaderboard changed hands throughout the final round. In the end, three birdies in four holes to start the back nine put Norton on top, and when Sam Choi of the University of New Mexico bogeyed the final hole, it allowed Norton to make par and get the win.
"I had a good round yesterday to put me in a position which is what I was
hoping for," said Norton. "Didn't really have my best front nine, and hung in there, it wasn’t playing easy, then I got hot on holes 10-13 with three birdies. Coming down the stretch I didn't hit the best of shots, but I grinded it out, committed well, and was able to pull it out in the end."
Choi finished with a 67 to tie for second with Jackson Suber of the University of Mississippi and the 2017 Patriot champion Mason Overstreet of the University of Arkansas.
Perkins closed with an even-par 70 to tie for fifth with Joey Vrzich of Pepperdine University. Andersen shot a 71 to finish solo 7th.
The one-of-a-kind tournament pays tribute to fallen and wounded soldiers through a tradition that allows participants – top collegians from all divisions – to play in honor of 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.
Norton played in honor of
Army Sergeant Michael S. Curry, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2007.
The new champion was presented with an Air Force style trophy, bomber jacket, and an American Flag that was flown both in an F-16 Fighting Falcon & F-35 Lightning II. He will also receive a sponsor exemption into the Korn Ferry Tour’s Wichita Open played June 20-23 at Crestview Country Club in Wichita, Kansas.
ABOUT THE
Patriot All-America
The Wigwam and the Golf Coaches Association
of America (GCAA), in partnership with the
Folds of Honor Foundation present the Patriot All-
America Invitational. It's one of the most unique
events
in all of golf.
84 top collegiate players named to the PING All-
America team in NCAA Division I,II and III, NAIA
and
NJCAA, AJGA, one player from each military
academy
and select international players compete in a 54-
hole
championship.
Each player honors our military by carrying a bag
with
the name, rank and service of a fallen or severely
wounded soldier embroidered on the pocket.
Following
the championship, the bags go to the players’ school
for auction, with proceeds benefiting the Folds of
Honor.
View Complete Tournament Information