Isaiah Jackson (Memphis Athletics photo)
LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. (Dec. 31, 2018) – Isaiah Jackson, who had maintained a share of the lead all week, came out on top after three rounds of the Patriot All-America. The University of Memphis junior had rounds of 67-68-70 at the Wigwam’s Gold Course and won by three shots with his 5-under total.
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.
Jackson played in honor of his great grandfather U.S. Army Private First Class Willie B. McGill. Private First Class McGill was killed in combat action on Dec. 4, 1944.
"It’s just an honor, you know the list of guys who have won this tournament, that have played in it, what they’ve gone on and done is just amazing," Jackson said. "And, to know that I had my great grandfather on the bag, it’s just very special."
Along with this win, Jackson also earns a start in the Web.com Tour's Wichita Open.
"That’s gonna be unreal being able to compete with the guys, hopefully I’ll be competing with in the next year and to see where I stand amongst pros or trying to make it," he said. "That’s pretty awesome."
Second-round co-leader Alex Scott, who plays for Grand Valley State, tied for second with Oklahoma’s Quade Cummins. Both players finished 54 holes at 2 under.
Virginia’s Thomas Walsh was solo fourth at 1 under. Two players tied for fifth at even par, including Jack Ireland and David Laskin. Ireland, who plays for UCLA, had a final-round 63 that is a new Patriot tournament record.
"I was just trying to focus on where I needed to hit it, rather than not where I didn’t want to hit it and, like I said, keep it underneath the hole," Ireland said of the 63. "Try not to do too much with shots. It felt like some of them kinda funneled towards the hole when I tried to get it more on the upslope."
Information from the Patriot All-America used in this report
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