LOUISVILLE, KY (November 5, 2019) - The final tournament season of the decade for the Kentucky PGA Section produced one of the most highly competitive years in recent memory across the Commonwealth. With all tournaments now completed, the Section is happy to announce the recipients of this year’s Player of the Year awards.

The list begins with Grover Justice, the Director of Instruction at High Performance Golf Academy in Lexington. Justice is once again the recipient of the OMEGA Larry Gilbert Player of the Year award, bestowed to the PGA Professional atop the season-long standings. Justice dominated the opening half of the season, collecting individual victories at the Golf House Kentucky Classic at Heritage Hill Golf Club, the Pro-Lady Championship at Greenbrier Golf & Country Club, the Bill Long Mega Pro-Am presented by Jet’s Pizza at Wildwood Country Club, and the Feeders Supply Pro-Am at Lake Forrest Country Club. Justice also tied for low individual at the Pro-Am Championship at Big Spring Country Club and the 2x2 Pro-Am presented by Sun Mountain at Bardstown Country Club. With this honor, Justice will receive an exemption into the PGA Tour’s Barbasol Championship next July at Keene Trace Golf Club.

“The most satisfying part of my game this year was just the consistency,” Justice explained. “Fortunately, the last several years I have been able to stay healthy and play a full schedule. This year’s Kentucky Open was an awesome experience as I watched Evan Davis, one of my students, shoot nineteen under par and compete in a playoff for the title, while I finished sixth after shooting thirteen under par. The offseason will be used to recharge my batteries, but I really look forward to playing in the Barbasol Championship again along with the PGA Professional Championship next year.”

Steve Cox is the recipient of the OMEGA Senior Player of the Year. Cox is the Head Golf Professional at Larue County Country Club in Hodgenville. Cox’s signature moment of the season came in August when he won the Kentucky Senior Open at Houston Oaks Golf Course in Paris. Cox’s victory there was in come-from-behind fashion, as he chased down Bruce Oldendick to force a playoff and subsequently won the playoff with a birdie on the first hole of sudden-death. A third-place finish in the Kentucky Senior PGA Professional Championship meant that Cox received an exemption to compete in the Senior PGA Professional Championship in Austin, Texas in October.

Rounding out the Section’s Players of the Year is Jesse Massie, who is the OMEGA Assistant Player of the Year. Massie, who is an Assistant Professional at Woodhaven Country Club in Louisville, recorded multiple victories, most notably at the National Car Rental Kentucky Assistants PGA Professional Championship at Louisville Country Club. Massie’s victory at this tournament was a two-stroke victory highlighted by three eagles made during the 36-hole event. Massie’s win there means he will partake in the National Car Rental Assistants PGA Championship in Port St. Lucie, Florida beginning on Thursday, November 14.

“My mental bounce-back game this year was the best I have ever experienced,” Massie said. “It seemed that whenever something went wrong it just reenergized me to grind and get those strokes back. My best memories from the year were going five-under in the last seven holes at the Mobile Pro Shop Stableford Classic to get into a playoff and fortunately come out on top. Also, watching the leaderboard at the Pro-Pro Series Championship with my partner Myles Mahan and knowing what we needed to do to win, and then accomplishing it was very satisfying. Seeing him struggle on the first day and then play really clutch golf in the final round was awesome to watch. I look forward to finishing my PGA education before next season and switching from the Assistants Division to the Members Division. I cannot wait to compete against the other Class A’s and maybe have a chance at the PGA Professional Championship bid.”

The Kentucky PGA Section congratulates Justice, Cox and Massie on these significant accomplishments and thanks them for representing the Section so well. Each player will be recognized on Thursday, November 14 at the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame induction at Big Spring Country Club in Louisville.