Justin Thomas Grants received by two top-level junior golfers in Kentucky

LOUISVILLE, KY (May 10, 2024) – The Thomas family has continued to show support for Kentucky junior golf by providing financial assistance to golfers whose records have proven the potential they have to play at the collegiate level. This grant provides the recipients the opportunity to play a more robust tournament schedule across the country to help them gain more exposure. The Thomas family has selected Morgan Kennedy and Evan Taylor as the recipients of the 2024 Justin Thomas Grant. The Taylor and Kennedy families will each receive $3,000 to assist them in their golf tournaments for the summer season.

Morgan Kennedy, of Ashland, Kentucky, is a junior in high school with an extensive golf portfolio. Morgan is the daughter of two PGA Professionals, Missy and Steve Kennedy. She began playing competitive golf in the fourth grade and just three years later joined her  high school golf team. In the summer, Morgan plays on the Kentucky PGA Junior Tour, Peggy Kirk Bell Girls Golf Tour and for The American Junior Golf Association. Some of Morgan’s  accomplishments include the 2021 and 2022 Marcus Camacho Classic Champion, 2022 Boyd County Lady Lions Golf Invitational Champion, 2023 PKB Girls Golf Tour Prep Kentucky Player of the Year, 2023 Lady Rocket Invitational Champion and the 2022 St. Elizabeth Invitational Champion. Morgan's main goal is to continue her academic and golf career by playing at the collegiate level. Morgan understands that she is very lucky to have two PGA Professionals as parents. She is determined to put in the effort required to make the most of the opportunities that have been presented to her. Morgan has a true passion for golf and understands that The Justin Thomas Grant will help her in accomplishing her junior golf goals.

“I would like to thank the Justin Thomas Grant committee for choosing me to be this year's recipient. I am excited beyond words to be able to grow my game by playing in bigger golf events this summer. This opportunity will help me live my dream of playing college golf. My family and I are forever grateful.” - Morgan Kennedy

Evan Taylor, Winchester, KY native, is an outstanding junior golfer. Since the age of eleven, Evan has dedicated himself to working on his golf skills, investing countless hours in practice and training to strive for excellence in the sport. Evan’s main goal is to play golf at the collegiate level, and with graduation slowly approaching, it is closer to becoming a reality. Evan currently competes on his high school golf team, as well as the Golfweek Junior Tour, Kentucky PGA Junior Tour, and the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour. Evan placed first in the 2022 Cardinal Championship at Winchester Country Club, 2023 KYPGA Junior Tour Battle at Boone’s Trace, and the 2023 Golfweek Junior Tour Elite Series at Kearney Hill Golf Links. Golf is extremely important to Evan as it has created friendships and connections for him on and off the course. Evan’s parents have worked extremely hard to provide him with opportunities to play in numerous tournaments, and they believe that the Justin Thomas Grant will help Evan compete at a higher level which would allow him to potentially turn his dream of playing college golf into a reality. 

"Once I started playing golf, it did not take long to fall in love with the sport and want a future in it. My next goal is to play competitive golf at the collegiate level. This past year I have been able to start exploring college options and it has added an extra level of excitement to the experience. Every higher-level tournament I participate in gets me more experience and closer to my goal of a future in golf. I am so grateful to Justin Thomas and his commitment to developing young golfers. This grant will allow me to compete in more quality tournaments without worrying about the cost. I will be able to continue pursuing my passion for golf and working towards my future goals." - Evan Taylor

The Kentucky Golf Foundation congratulates the Taylor and Kennedy families on receiving this grant which will provide assistance for their junior golf seasons. Kentucky Junior Golf and the Kentucky Golf Foundation are both extremely grateful for the continued support of this grant by the Thomas Family.

About the Kentucky Golf Foundation:
The Kentucky Golf Foundation (KGF) is one of the three organizations encompassed under Golf House Kentucky, in addition to the Kentucky Golf Association (KGA) and Kentucky PGA Section (KPGA). The KGF is a joint-initiative of the KGA and KPGA that was founded in 2002 to enhance lives through golf throughout the Commonwealth. The KGF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.