Smith to Compete in Inaugural Patriot All-America Invitational

Jared Smith

Jared Smith graduatedHarrison Central High School in 2010 with high expectations, stuffing a Mississippi Gulf Coast scholarship in his golf bag for good measure. On December 26 one of thosde goals will be met as he competes in the Inaugural Patriot all-America Invitational at theWigwam Resort in Phoenix, AZ.

According to the GCAA, “The Arizona Golf Association, The Wigwam and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) have partnered with the Folds of Honor Foundation to host the inaugural Patriot All-America Invitational,” a 54-hole event that will invite collegiate golfers who earned PING All-America honors the previous season in NCAA Divisions I, II and III as well as the NAIA and NJCAA Divisions I and II. Members of the most recent Palmer Teams, AJGA All-Americans and Toyota Junior Golf World Cup participants currently enrolled in their freshman year of college will also receive invitations.

The Who’s Who of collegiate golf will tee off December 28-30, with each golfer carrying a golf bag with the name and branch of service of a fallen military member whom they shall represent. “The Folds of Honor is excited to partner with the Arizona Golf Association, TheWigwam and the GCAA in an attempt to bring genuine patriotism back to Our Nation’s Universities through the benevolent nature of the game of golf,” said Folds of Honor founder Major Dan Rooney.

Smith, who helped lead the Gulf Coast golf team to an MACJC title and Region 23 crown in 2011, can’t wait to be a part of history in this inaugural event. “I looked at the list of players, and it’s impressive,” he said.

Just as remarkable is Smith’s rise to the top of the list of NJCAA golf in such a short period of time. “Smith is the first to arrive at the practice range and the last to leave,” said Gulf Coast golf coach Tommy Snell. “He’s always listening. He’s always striving for perfection, and he’s not afraid to win. He has been really impressive in just three short seasons, but his best golf is in front of him,” Snell added.

If you would like to help Jared with his expenses, pleasecontact Coach Tommy Snell 601-528-8952 or email him at thomas.snell@mgccc.edu for more information.