Dec. 31, 2012

LITCHFIELD PARK, Ariz. — South Carolina freshman Matt NeSmith shot a final-round 82 (+12) on Monday to finish tied for 35th at the 2012 Patriot All-America Invitational at Wigwam Golf Club.

NeSmith, who finished with rounds of 72-68-82=222 (+12), competed against a field that featured 84 collegiate golfers from across the nation during the three-day event. Players earning PING All-America honors from the previous season in NCAA Divisions I, II and III plus the NAIA and NJCAA were invited to participate in the event. Additionally, a player from the United States Military, Naval and Air Force Academies were 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, partnered with the Folds of Honor Foundation to host the tournament. To show support for Folds of Honor, each golfer carried a commemorative PING golf bag bearing the name of a fallen soldier from the community in which they live or attend school. NeSmith, a native of North Augusta, S.C., represented Army CWO Jason G. Defrenn.