Local players compete in Patriot All-America Invite

LITCHFIELD, Ariz. — Oklahoma’s Charlie Saxon opened with a 73 and Southern Nazarene’s Michael Hearne shot 75 in the opening round of the 2014 Patriot All-America Invitational at the Gold Course at the Wigwam.

The Patriot All-America Invitational, which features PING All-Americans from the previous season in NCAA Divisions I, II and III, as well as All-Americans from the NAIA, NJCAA and AJGA ranks is taking place Dec. 27-31 at the Wigwam Golf Resort in Litchfield Park.

Also from Oklahoma, Max McGreevy shot 77, while Arkansas golfer Taylor Moore of Edmond shot 79, as did Sam Johnston of Oklahoma Christian.

Current scores can be found here.

The 54-hole amateur event, which is the first of its kind to combine the talents of 84 nationally recognized players in a holiday bowl-like experience is the combined effort of the Arizona Golf Association, the Golf Coaches Association of America and the Wigwam Golf Resort in conjunction with the tournament’s beneficiary, the Folds of Honor Foundation.

Arkansas’ Crawford Kolton Johnson shot 68 in the opening round to tie for the lead. Hearne was fifth among NCAA Division II participants and is 15th among non-Division I participants.