LOUISVILLE, KY (November 20, 2024) – Morgan Kennedy, a senior at Boyd County High School, has been selected as the newest recipient of the Jace Bugg Award. The Kentucky PGA Junior Tour’s most prestigious award, this honor salutes a player who represents golf’s best qualities – outstanding sportsmanship, a positive attitude, and a true friend to his or her peers.

The Jace Bugg Award is named in honor of the Henderson native who had a terrific Kentucky Junior Golf career which led to a professional career that included two victories. Sadly, Bugg was diagnosed with leukemia which led to him passing away in 2003 at the age of 27. The award was first distributed in 2005 and has recognized a player meeting these characteristics every year since. More information and the full list of honorees can be found by clicking here.

Kennedy, who claimed the 2024 Girls 16-18 Division Player of the Year honors as well, is not only a champion in her game, but in her attitude and sportsmanship. She is a positive light that reflects positively on those that she plays with, Tour staff, officials, golf course staff and the families of other competitors.

“Morgan is the epitome of sportsmanship,” says Junior Tour Director, MacKenzie Peyton. “Any time I would be out on the course she was always one to grab the flagstick, tell other players ‘good shot’ and I truly never knew how Morgan was playing until I looked at her scores. She could be playing her best round or her worst round and you would never know. She always smiles and is so polite to not only our Junior Tour staff but the facility staff, officials and other players. Anyone who got to play with Morgan was excited to get to spend their round with her.”

“I am so honored. It feels amazing to receive this award,” says Kennedy when asked what this means to her. “I would like to thank the KY PGA Junior Tour for being so supportive. You all are so great. I would also say thank you to my family and teammates over the years. I am just so thankful." Morgan will graduate from Boyd County High School in the spring and will continue her golf career by playing Division 1 golf at Morehead State University. She has been playing on the Kentucky PGA Junior Tour since she was in 7^th grade.

When asked to give her favorite memory on the Tour she states, "Oh gosh, there are too many memories and amazing, fun people that I have met on the tour. A memory that stands out is this past event, the Lou Perry, which is always fun when my mom or dad can caddie, but my mom got to caddie for me this year and I got to play and compete both days with Anika (Okuda) which was so fun."

During the 2024 season, Kennedy competed in five Kentucky PGA Junior Tour events and finished in the top five in four of them. She claimed two wins at the Northern Kentucky Junior Championship and the Lou Perry Tour Championship. She also was a part of the Junior Tour’s pilot program, the Birdie Club, where players find supporters to pledge to donate on their behalf based on the amount of birdies they make in a season. Kennedy finished her season with 25 birdies and raised over $600.00 for the Junior Tour.

Congratulations to Morgan on a successful season on the Kentucky PGA Junior Tour! We wish her the best of luck in all of her future endeavors.

About Kentucky Junior Golf:
Kentucky Junior Golf is part of the Kentucky Golf Foundation, one of three organizations that comprises Golf House Kentucky. Kentucky Junior Golf includes the state’s top tournaments and programs for the state’s golfers aged 18 or younger, featuring the Kentucky PGA Junior Tour, Youth on Course, the Youth on Course caddie program, PGA Jr. League, and Drive, Chip & Putt. Kentucky Junior Golf is dedicated to introducing Kentucky’s youth to the game of golf, providing resources to further enjoyment within the sport, and developing the skills necessary for players to thrive both on and off the golf course.

Junior Tour Contact:
MacKenzie Peyton | Golf House Kentucky | mpeyton@kygolf.org