LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. - Illinois State senior David Perkins has been selected to compete in the 2019 Patriot All-America Invitational, hosted at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park, Arizona.
"I am thrilled Dave will be competing in the Patriot All-America Invitational and representing Illinois State in such a prestigious event that benefits our military families," said Illinois State men's golf head coach Ray Kralis. "Because each player carries a golf bag emblazoned with the name and branch of service of a fallen military member, it certainly puts into perspective how fortunate we are to be playing golf while earning a college degree. I am so thankful for those who have made the greatest sacrifice so we can enjoy our freedom, and I am proud of the Golf Coaches Association of America for partnering with the Folds of Honor Foundation and honored to support their efforts."
Every player will be presented a golf bag at the event's opening ceremony to use during the competition. The bag will be emblazoned with the name and branch of service of a fallen military member. At the conclusion of the event these golf bags will be auctioned by the respective athletic departments of participating student-athletes with all proceeds designated for the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides post-secondary educational scholarships for children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled while serving the United States.
Through 15 rounds during the fall season, Perkins had 13 rounds at or below par, and averaged 69.2 strokes per round. He ended the fall season ranked as the No. 6 golfer in the GolfStat Division I men's rankings, and his adjusted scoring averaged of 69.36 is the second-lowest in NCAA Division I..Â
Perkins has finished inside of the top-seven in every event this season, including earning medalist honors at the Golfweek Conference Challenge. He has ended all five tournaments below par.Â
The Illinois State spring season opens on Feb. 1 with the Tinervin Cup, an exhibition match against Illinois, and the official spring season begins a week later at the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate, hosted by South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama at the Magnolia Grove Golf Course.
