Patriot All-America tees off Sunday

LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. (Dec. 27, 2013) -- Some of the NCAA's top golfers hope to take home one more prize in 2013 as the Patriot All-America tees off Sunday at the Wigwam Resort. Defending champion Sebastian Cappelen of the Arkansas Razorbacks leads another loaded field into the third annual event. Made in 2012 to keep collegiate golfers in action during what's widely considered college football bowl season, the Patriot All-America field is comprised of 84 of the previous season's Ping All-Americans from all three NCAA divisions as well as recognized All-Americans from the NAIA, NJCAA and AJGA. The 54-hole event is put on by the Arizona Golf Association, the Golf Coaches Association of America and the Wigwam Golf Resort and goes to benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation. Leading the charge to unseat Cappelen at the top will be Southern Methodist's Bryson Dechambeau, who had a spirited run of play this past summer. He won the Trans-Mississippi Championship and placed second at the Sahalee Players. He also reached the final 32 at the U.S. Amateur. Texas' Toni Hakula, who won last year's New Year's Invitational in St. Petersburg, is also sure to be a contender. The Finland native is ranked No. 8 in the Golfweek/amateurgolf.com World Player Rankings. Ty Dunlap is the highest-ranked U.S. player in the field. The Texas A&M star s fifth in the Golfweek/amateurgolf.com U.S. Rankings and No. 11 in the world. He placed second at the Porter Cup and was a quarterfinalist at this year's Western Amateur. Cody Proveaux, the former Golfweek top-ranked junior and current Clemson ace, is also in the field. Other players sure to be in contention include Cal's Pace Johnson and Hank Lebioda of Florida State. First-round action kicks off Sunday with play concluding Tuesday. Follow amateurgolf.com for full coverage of the event.