MGCCC’S Smith competes at inaugural Patriot All-America Invitational

Jared Smith’s golf bag from the Patriot All-America Invitational with the name of fallen Army Sargent Anthony Magee from Hattiesburg.

While most college sophomores were enjoying the 2011 Christmas Break, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College golfer Jared Smith was competing against some of the best in the Nation at the first-ever Patriot All-America Invitational on the Gold Course at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park, Ariz. Dec. 28-30.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Smith, who shot 77-72-76 (+12) in the three-day event. It’s an honor just being invited to play.”

Smith shared another moving an humbling experience as he and every one of the tournament golfers received a golf bag at the openingceremony with the name and branch of service of a fallen or disabled military member whom they represented. That bag will be auctioned with all proceeds designated for the Folds of Honor Foundation. Smith’s bag honored Army Sargent Anthony O. Magee, a Hattiesburg native who was killed in the line of duty in Iraq in 2010.

“They had a big ceremony before the tournament where they called out each player and the person they were representing,” Smith added. “It was very gratifying to represent someone from Mississippi.”

Smith and the rest of the Bulldog golf team will begin preparing for the 2011 season later this month. Gulf Coast has won four straight Region 23 titles and has also claimed back-to-back MACJC Championships.