The 5th Annual Elite Invitational
Marsh Landing Country Club
Ponte Vedra, Florida
November 1-3, 2024
2024 Tournament Highlights
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Clara Ding (White Rock, BC) birdied three of her last four holes to finish with a 5-under 67, and Trace Carter (Blackshear, GA/Georgia Southern) had a late back-nine charge to post a 5-under 65 and to claim the girls’ and boys’ lead after the first round of The Elite Invitational at Marsh Landing Country Club.
Ding, the only member of the Class of 2029 in the field of 108 players, tallied six birdies in all to earn a one-shot advantage over Hannah Hall (Rockledge, FL/Kansas). “The course layout is really beautiful and the conditions are really good this week,” said Ding, who credited her putting and some luck for the early lead.
Carter, rallied from a bogey on 13 for three more birdies on the back, including birdies at 16 and 17 en route to a -5, 65 to overtake Jessy Huebner (Port St. Lucie, FL) at -4, 66, who as the clubhouse leader heading into the weekend. Eric Zhao (Toronto, ON/Princeton) is one of seven players tied for fourth after birdieing five of the first 10 to start his second Elite Invitational.
Eric W. Hobeck
Past Champions
Boys' Champions
2020 – Will Morlan: 70-65-70 = 205
2021 – Jackson Mitchell: 73-67-68 = 208
2022 – Jackson Mitchell: 70-68-66 = 204
2023 – Blades Brown: 67-69-64 = 200
Girls' Champions
2020 – Emerson Blair: 74-67-69 = 210
2021 – Morgan Ketchum: 67-74-69 = 210
2022 – Mia Gray: 70-68-75 = 213
2023- Bridget Wilkie: 70-66-69 = 205
Our Mission
The Elite Invitational was founded in 2020 by Mason Carmel. A former standout junior golfer, Mason is now a teaching professional instructing junior, collegiate, and professional golfers worldwide. After injuries prevented Mason from pursuing a playing career of his own, he wanted to give back to the game he loves. Drawing on his own experiences, he created a high-level, invitational tournament. The event gives junior golfers the ability to showcase their skills in competitive conditions similar to those they will encounter as their careers progress. With a unique selection process based on a player’s graduating year instead of a player’s age, the tournament poses a different set of challenges than many other junior competitions. This highly ranked event will challenge the best around the world. By trying to emulate PGA/LPGA tour course set-ups, players will get a preview of the higher standard they will encounter as their careers develop and an opportunity to lay the foundation of their legacies. We look forward to hosting you and your family this November.
Fundraising for The Veterans Golf Association
Our Partners
Contact Us:
theeliteinvitational@gmail.com