RICHMOND, KY (June 27, 2020) – Nearly three months later than originally planned on due to postponements from the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Kentucky PGA Junior Tour season is set to begin in a major way this week in Richmond.

Two of the Tour’s major championships will kick off the 2020 campaign with the Kentucky Boys Junior PGA Championship at Gibson Bay Golf Course on June 29-30 and the Kentucky Girls Junior PGA Championship at The University Club at Arlington on July 1-2. While the national editions of the Junior PGA Championship were canceled in the spring by the PGA of America and no exemptions for those tournaments up for grabs this year, that doesn’t mean this week’s Championships are any less important. The titles themselves remain two of the most prestigious in Kentucky Junior Golf, but the winner of the Boys Championship Division at Gibson Bay will also receive an automatic exemption into the 2021 Barbasol Junior Championship.

Benny Haggin will attempt to defend his title and will strike the first tee shot of the competition at 8:00 a.m. EDT on Monday to ring in the season. Haggin enters the tournament as one of the favorites to win but will have a strong group of challengers to outduel if he makes it two consecutive victories at Gibson Bay. Other notables in the Boys Championship Division include the following players:

• Andrew Marrs (8:40 a.m. EDT) – Last year, Marrs finished in fourth place in the Kentucky Boys Junior Amateur and tied for eighth in the KHSAA Boys State Championship. The Morehead State commit could break through this week at Gibson Bay.
• Andrew Flynn (10:20 a.m. EDT) – The Louisville product and winner of the 2019 Kentucky PGA Junior Tour Championship will seek his second big victory on Tour within the last year.
• Cooper Eberle (11:10 a.m. EDT) – The son of Jason Eberle, PGA Head Golf Professional at Gibson Bay, looks to take advantage of his home course knowledge.
• Colten Wilson (11:40 a.m. EDT) – Fresh off his awarding of the 2020 Gay Brewer, Jr. Grant, Wilson hopes to add to his young resume with a highlight win.

For the ladies, a new champion will be crowned this week after 2019 victor Laney Frye was a late withdrawal earlier in the week. The Girls Championship Division now is wide open with many premier players ready to make an early season statement starting Wednesday.

• Olivia Hensley (8:00 a.m. EDT) – Hensley claimed the individual championship in the KHSAA Girls State Championship last fall. A victory this week could bolster her case as Kentucky’s top female junior golfer.
• Grace Clark (8:20 a.m. EDT) – After finishing tied for fourth in last year’s KHSAA Girls State Championship, Clark might be poised to notch a signature win to start her 2020 season.
• Elizabeth Eberle (8:40 a.m. EDT) – While this Eberle is not playing at the facility her father works at like her brother, the Richmond local is certainly familiar with the layout and is coming in with a hot hand following a historic performance on the GolfWeek Junior Tour.

Both tournaments will also feature several other divisions in addition to the Championship Divisions. Five division titles are at stake in both tournaments, with divisions ranging by age at each tournament.

Click here for first round tee times at the Kentucky Boys Junior PGA Championship.

Click here for first round tee times at the Kentucky Girls Junior PGA Championship.

The Kentucky PGA Junior Tour will have complete coverage of both tournaments on its Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages. A live video on Facebook will be available to view when the final group of the Boys Championship Division and the Girls Championship Division reach its final hole on Tuesday and Thursday. Another live video on Facebook will become available if a playoff is required to decide either title.

FAST FACTS (BOYS):

FAST FACTS (GIRLS):