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Xavier Huestis Presented with Jace Bugg Award

Kentucky Country Day’s Huestis receives distinguished Kentucky PGA Junior Tour honor.

LOUISVILLE, KY (January 5, 2023) – Xavier Huestis, a sophomore at Kentucky Country Day School, has been selected as the recipient of the Jace Bugg Award. One of the Kentucky PGA Junior Tour’s most prestigious awards, 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.

Early in the 2022 season, Huestis’ name came up among the Tour’s staff as a possibility to win this award because of his noticeably bright demeanor and kind manners. The 15-year-old is mature beyond his age and his engaging conversations with his fellow players, the Tour’s staff and officials, golf course employees, and other players’ families showcase that.

“Jace Bugg was an example of class, integrity, and sportsmanship, which is why Xavier earned this award,” said Michael Vick, PGA Director, Junior Programs at Golf House Kentucky. “Xavier displays all those qualities every time I see him at a tournament. He is quick to give small pep talks to his playing competitors if they've had a bad day, always carries a smile, and always thanks the staff after an event. He is as good as they come.”

During the 2022 season, Huestis competed in eight events on Tour and recorded four top-five finishes in the Boys 13-15 Division. He was twice a runner-up at the Independence Bank Western Kentucky Junior Championship and the Callaway Shootout. Huestis will turn 16 years old before the start of the 2023 season and make his debut in the Boys 16-18 Division this spring.

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.

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.

Media Contact:
Ethan Fisher, PGA | Golf House Kentucky | efisher@kygolf.org | (502) 792-9703

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About Golf House Kentucky

Golf House Kentucky is the umbrella organization for Kentucky’s Family of Golf Organizations: Kentucky Golf Association, Kentucky PGA and Kentucky Golf Foundation. The vision of Kentucky’s golf leaders, Golf House Kentucky was founded in 1978, and is headquartered in a picturesque country setting in Louisville, Kentucky. Golf House Kentucky conducts competitions for golfers of all ages, gender and skill levels (amateur, professional and junior), and provides valuable services to Kentucky PGA professionals and member golf facilities. Working in partnership with the USGA, Golf House Kentucky provides individual golfers and member golf facilities with a wide range of services: Handicapping, USGA Course and Slope Rating, award programs, club consulting and golf management software. The family’s philanthropic affiliate, Kentucky Golf Foundation promotes the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame, Kentucky golf museum and provides grant and scholarship programs for youth in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

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