Dec. 30, 2014

LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. — South Carolina sophomore Ben Dietrich carded a second-straight 1-over 71 on Tuesday in the second round of the 2014 Patriot All-America Invitational on the Gold Course at Wigwam Golf Club.

Dietrich moved up one spot into a tie for sixth with a 36-hole total of 142 (+2) with one round left to play. Junior Will Starke is also playing at the tournament and is in a tie for 19th with a total of 145 (+5) after shooting a 74 (+4) on Tuesday.

The Gamecock duo is competing against a field that features 84 collegiate golfers from across the nation. Players earning PING All-America honors from the previous season in NCAA Divisions I, II and III plus the NAIA and NJCAA are eligible to be invited to participate in the Patriot All-America. Additionally, a player from the United States Military, Naval and Air Force Academies have been invited, along with Golf Coaches Association of America national award recipients, members of the most recent Palmer Cup Teams, American Junior Golf Association All-Americans and Toyota Junior Golf World Cup participants currently enrolled as college freshmen.

The Wigwam Golf Club, along with the Arizona Golf Association and the Golf Coaches Association of America, are partnering with the Folds of Honor Foundation to host the tournament.

To show support for Folds of Honor, each golfer is given a commemorative golf bag with the name of a fallen service member to represent. Dietrich is representing Army Sgt. Arthur C. Williams IV, while Starke is representing Air Force Staff Sgt. Patrick Lee Griffin Jr.

Dietrich is scheduled to tee off in the final round on Wednesday at 10 a.m., while Starke will tee off at 8:50 a.m.