Marquette University Athletics
Hunter Eichhorn Selected to The Patriot All-America Invitational
12/20/2018 2:06:00 PM | Men's Golf
Eichhorn joins 84 top collegiate golfers for a tournament benefitting the Folds of Honor Foundation
Marquette sophomore Hunter Eichhorn has been selected to compete with 84 of the nation's top collegiate golfers at The Patriot All-America Invitational, Dec. 28-31 at The Wigwam G.C. in suburban Phoenix.
Capturing the tradition of a holiday bowl game experience for top golfers over the last seven years, the Patriot All-America Invitational brings together a talented field of players to benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides scholarships and assistance to the spouses and children of those killed or disabled in armed service.
Throughout the tournament, Eichhorn will carry a bag emblazoned with the name of Marine Corps Major Nicholas Ferencz III, a 1985 Marquette University graduate and Naval ROTC Unit member who was killed during a training exercise air collision on Sept. 11, 2000 at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona. Maj. Ferencz, a 36-year-old native of Cleveland, was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
For the last two seasons during regular play, Eichhorn's Marquette-branded bag has been decorated with Maj. Ferencz's name, including when he captured the BIG EAST Championship last May.
Eichhorn was ranked 58th in the last Golfstat NCAA Division I player ranking of the fall, his highest career position, and 70th in the Golfweek/Sagarin ratings. He finished the fall portion of the schedule with a team-low 71.27 (-0.73 vs. par) stroke average, which also leads the BIG EAST. Eichhorn is seventh nationally with four eagles and 54th with 57 birdies.
The 54-hole stroke play tournament concludes on New Year's Eve. For more information on the tournament, visit patriotallamerica.com.
ABOUT THE PATRIOT ALL-AMERICA INVITATIONAL (from patriotallamerica.com)
The 54-hole amateur event held at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park, Arizona is the first of its kind to combine the talents of 84 nationally recognized players in a holiday bowl-like experience. It 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.
The unique aspect of this Championship is that it also honors our military heroes. In fact, that is the foundation of this event. We honor the military throughout the week. At the opening ceremony, each golfer receives and carries a commemorative PING golf bag that bears the name and branch of a fallen or wounded hero from their hometown or school. Additionally, all of the golfers have the opportunity to visit Luke Air Force Base, the training center for our nation's F-16 and F-35 fighter pilots. There, they meet with the General, fighter pilots and crew, and tour the base while participating in activities rarely seen by civilians.
The players carry the bag and honor that solder throughout the week. Upon conclusion, the bags are shipped back to the player's school where they are auctioned off with the proceeds benefiting the Folds of Honor charity.
Players Mentioned
