Oct 30- Junior Michael Putnam was of 29 college men's golfers invited to compete in the 29th Annual Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic, set for November 23-25 at the par-71, 6,781-yard El Paso Country Club in El Paso, Texas.

This year's tournament, which is hosted by the Sun Bowl Association, features seven Palmer Cup players and three Walker Cup players, as well as 2001 Golf Classic Champion Brad Heaven (Toledo). Jason Hartwick (Texas), Brock Mackenzie (Washington), Chris Nallen (Arizona) and Heaven are making their third straight appearance in the event.

"I really feel like we have one of the strongest fields that we have had in some time," Bob Kimble, tournament chairman, said. "It was a really difficult selection process, because we had 45 eligible All-Americans to choose from this year."

The 2003 field was extended to a record-high 29 golfers due to the 45 eligible All-Americans. The largest previous field was in 1983 and again in 1997, when 27 golfers were invited to the tournament.

"I am honored to be invited to participate in such a prestigious tournament and am looking forward to competing against many of the top collegiate golfers in the country," Putnam said. "I understand the prestige involved in this event and am aware of its storied tradition and some of the great golfers who have participated in it in the past.

Putnam received an invitation to the tournament after earning honorable mention All-American honors as a sophomore last year. Putnam tied for 12th at the 2003 NCAA Championships after finishing second at the NCAA West Regionals.

He currently leads the Waves with a 72.66 stroke average in 12 rounds and claimed individual medallist honors earlier this season at the Club Glove Intercollegiate.

Putnam becomes the third Pepperdine player invited to the tournament, joining Kevin Marsh (1994) and Michael Beard in 2000.

Each university is awarded a $1,000 scholarship is a golfer from that school competes in the tournament.