By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Litchfield Park, Ariz.---Brandon Hoelzer, a sophomore member of the No. 1 Express men's golf team, fought off a tough first round to post back-to-back solid rounds in a 62nd place finish at the The Patriot All-America Invitational Dec. 29-31.

In a field loaded with players from the highest levels of collegiate golf, Hoelzer fired a 13-over 83 in Sunday's first round. However, he bounced back with a 2-over 72 and a 3-over 73 in the second and third rounds on Monday and Tuesday.

Hoelzer finished the tournament tied for 62nd place with an 18-over 228. In the second and third rounds, he totaled six birdies after failing to birdie in the first round. In the first round, he finished 12-over on par 3 and par 4 holes before finishing only 7-over on similar holes in the second and third rounds combined. On par 5 holes, he finished 1-over the first day before shooting 2-under on similar holes over the final two rounds.

Kyle Westmoreland, a student-athlete from Air Force Academy, captured first place in a six-hole playoff with Thomas Lim, a student-athlete at the University of Oregon. The two tied with a 5-under 205 through 54 holes before Westmoreland birdied the sixth hole. Both players parred the first five holes.

Each student-athlete carried a bag honoring the name of a fallen soldier embroidered on the side pocket. Hoelzer honored Marine Sgt. Maj. Joseph J. Ellis.

The Wigwam Golf Course played host to the 2013 Patriot All-America Invitational, which featured 83 All-American student-athletes from the NCAA D-I, NCAA D-II, NCAA D-III, NAIA, NJCAA and AJGA levels. Tournament action was broadcast on ESPN and The Golf Channel.

Notes

Hoelzer earned First Team All-Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC), First Team All-Region XII, Region XII Player of the Year, Ping Honorable Mention All-American and NJCAA D-II Honorable Mention All-American as a freshman in 2012-13.

This past fall, he has picked up where he left off while helping the Express men's golf team to its first No. 1 national ranking in program history. In eight tournaments, Hoelzer and the Express closed the fall season with five consecutive and six overall first place finishes. They will resume action in March.