Lauren Lehigh & Matthew Watkins to Compete at The Patriot All-America Invitational

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. –– The New Mexico men’s and women’s golf teams will be represented this weekend at The Patriot All-American Invitational, a tournament that honors fallen service members. Lauren Lehigh and Matthew Watkins are competing in the women’s and men’s events, respectively, held Dec. 29-31 at the Wigwam Golf Resort in Litchfield Park, Ariz.

Throughout the tournament, each collegiate player carries a custom PING golf bag embroidered with the rank, name and military branch of a fallen or wounded member of the military. Golfers are typically matched with a fallen soldier who is from their home state or university. Some golfers even request family members or friends they’d like to represent.

Also attached to the golf bag is a laminated card describing the fallen soldier they are representing. Having this background makes for a deeply personal connection between the golfer and the bag they carry. During the opening ceremony, which is when the players receive the custom golf bags, they are given one request: to bring their fallen soldier on one last tour around the golf course. A reminder that freedom is not free, and to never take for granted the opportunities you are given.

Following the event, the golf bags are auctioned off as a way to fundraise for the Folds of Honor charity which was founded by F-16 fighter pilot Dan Rooney. The charity uses funds to give educational scholarships to family members of those in the military who were killed or severely wounded while serving, thus upholding their mission to, “HONOR THEIR SACRIFICE.

This year’s event features an 84-player men’s field and a 66-player women’s field.