DALTON, Ga. - Dalton State standout Sara Burger capped off 2025 with one of the most meaningful competitive experiences of her career: participating in the Patriot All-America Invitational, a premier amateur event known not only for its elite field, but for its deep connection to honoring America's fallen and injured heroes.
 
A TOURNAMENT UNLIKE ANY OTHER
Unlike traditional collegiate invitationals, the Patriot All-America combines championship-level competition with a profound tribute to military members and first responders. At the opening ceremony, each golfer receives a PING-donated golf bag embroidered with the name and service branch of a fallen or severely wounded hero, alongside a personal biography card, creating an emotional connection between athlete and honoree. The bags are later auctioned to benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation, supporting the families of those who served.
 
For Burger and the 2025 women's field, which featured many of the nation's top amateur players from across NCAA Divisions I–III, NAIA, and NJCAA, the event represented both an honor and an opportunity to compete among the game's rising stars at The Wigwam Golf Resort in Litchfield Park, Arizona.
 
REPRESENTING DALTON STATE ON A NATIONAL STAGE
Burger entered the Patriot All-America following a standout Fall season in which she currently ranks 2nd nationally in NAIA women's golf with a 71.2 adjusted scoring average across 12 competitive rounds. Her year included a major victory at The Invite at Innisbrook, multiple top-three finishes, and repeated conference honors, highlighting her as one of Dalton State's most consistent and competitive golfers.
 
She carried that momentum into the Patriot All-America, where she had the honor of representing her assigned hero, Air Force Staff Sergeant Ryan A. Balmer. Speaking about the experience, Burger shared:

"My assigned hero's name is Ryan A. Balmer and being able to honor him meant everything to me. From the start of the tournament, I was playing for something bigger than myself and it really put things into perspective. After I learned my soldier's story and what this tournament stands for, it made me shift my mindset and realize all the sacrifices that have been made for our country."
 
"When it got tough on the course, I was able to remind myself of the challenges that my hero faced and they were far greater than a missed fairway or a bad break. This mindset pushed me to compete with a different kind of purpose, I wasn't playing for a certain score, but to honor Mr. Balmer's service, sacrifice, and his name."
 
Her emotional connection to her honoree mirrored the spirit of the event and became a guiding force throughout the tournament.
 
COMPETING ON THE WIGWAM'S CHAMPIONSHIP STAGE
The event took place on The Wigwam's historic Gold Course, a Robert Trent Jones Sr. championship layout known for hosting USGA qualifiers, NCAA regionals, and annually, the Patriot All-America Invitational. Its demanding setup offered the perfect environment for golfers seeking to test themselves against elite amateur competition.
 
For Burger, the high-caliber field presented both challenge and opportunity. Reflecting on competing against many of the nation's top amateurs, she said:
 
"Competing against some of the nation's top amateurs pushed me out of my comfort zone in a way because I wasn't really used to playing against girls at this level, but it was very motivating. Despite not being my best performance, I didn't feel out of place and deserved to be there just as much as them, even if I'm not at a D1 school. This experience tested me in many ways but ultimately it challenged me to trust in my preparation."
 
Her performance at the Patriot All-America contributed to her rising profile in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, where she earned a recorded finish at the event and continued to build competitive experience on a national stage.
 
A MOMENT THAT WILL STAY WITH HER FOREVER
Beyond scores or standings, Burger emphasized that the event's emotional impact, and her connection to Staff Sergeant Balmer, will stay with her long after leaving The Wigwam. She reflected:
 
"The moment that will stay with me the longest is being able to play in honor of Ryan A. Balmer and be a part of an event that means so much. In the opening ceremony, a soldier told us that no matter how tough things can get on the course, it can't compare to the sacrifices these men and women have made for our country, and that is something I will think about during my rounds. Overall, being able to compete in this tournament and honor a hero who gave so much for our country is something that I'll carry with me forever."
 
A SEASON OF MOMENTUM AND MEANING
From her Fall victories to her national-level competition and now her participation in one of the most patriotic events in collegiate golf, the last part of 2025 has been a defining chapter in Burger's career. Her experience at the Patriot All-America allowed her to combine her competitive drive with a purpose larger than sport, a message she'll carry with her into every round ahead.
 
Sara and the rest of the #3-ranked Lady Roadrunners begin the Spring season and a drive toward a National Championship tomorrow, February 16 at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club in Valdosta. Follow the Lady Birds on the course by clicking here.
 
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FIND NEWS AND FOLLOW THE BIRDS: News and updates from Dalton State's women's golf team is posted on dsroadrunners.com and on X (@DaltonStateGolf), Facebook (@DaltonStateGolf) and Instagram (daltonstategolf). Be sure to follow to keep pace with the Birds!
 
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