The Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame was established in 1984 as a joint effort by the Kentucky Golf Association and the Kentucky PGA to honor individuals in Kentucky who have attained significant achievements and accomplishments in various areas of golf. Membership includes individuals with remarkable records as players, golf professionals, golf course superintendents, educators, and golf administrators. These inductees have not only excelled in their respective roles but have also demonstrated a lasting commitment to growing the game, shaping its future, and inspiring generations of golfers throughout the Commonwealth.

Each year, the Hall of Fame celebrates those whose impact on the sport transcends competition—those who have elevated Kentucky golf through leadership, service, and passion. Details regarding the 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be shared in the coming weeks.

The Kentucky Golf Foundation is honored to announce the inductees of the 2026 Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame class: JB Holmes, Pat Tallent, Steve Rogers, Kim Kincer and Grover Justice, PGA.

JB Holmes

JB Holmes is one of the most accomplished professional golfers ever from the state of Kentucky. His resilience, grit, and talent skyrocketed him to the highest level of the game. He is a 2-time Ryder cup winner (2008 and 2016), a member of the winning 2015 Presidents Cup Team, a 5-time PGA TOUR Champion (2006-2019), a member of the UK Athletics Hall of Fame, and the 2003 and 2004 Kentucky Open Champion. In 2026, Holmes qualified for the US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.

“JB represents the pinnacle of Kentucky golf achievement, having reached and conquered the highest levels of the sport. When I think of JB, the term that truly comes to mind is Kentucky Excellence,” says Jimmy Kirchdorfer, President of Valhalla Golf Club.

A native of Campbellsville, his excellence in golf began when he joined the Taylor County High School golf team as a third grader and won the KHSAA State Championship in 1998 as a sophomore. His amateur career is historic, capturing back to back Kentucky Open titles and then going on to become a standout player at the University of Kentucky. After guiding UK to its sole SEC Championship in 2005, he was honored as the SEC Player of the Year. He played on the winning Walker Cup and Palmer Cup teams in 2005 before turning professional later that year.

As a professional on the PGA TOUR, Holmes has earned over $26 million in career earnings. His first win was at the FBR Open in 2006, a title he captured again in 2008 after a playoff with Phil Mickelson. His performance at the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club was a significant moment in Kentucky golf history, as Holmes’ 2.5 points were pivotal in securing USA’s win amidst his hometown crowd. He went on to win three more times on the PGA TOUR, most recently the prestigious Genesis Open in 2019.

Proving that anything is possible through determination and hard work, his resilience has served as an inspiration to many golfers, most notably demonstrated by his 2014 win after undergoing brain surgery. Holmes has also given back to the game, mentoring junior players from the state, always remaining connected to where it all began. “JB Holmes has reached the pinnacle of golf while never forgetting his roots,” friend Jamie Baker shares, “His career is a testament to what can be achieved through hard work and talent, and his legacy is already etched into the history of the game.” JB Holmes remains an excellent ambassador for golf in Kentucky.

Grover Justice

Grover Justice is one of the most renowned and recognized teaching professionals to come out of the state of Kentucky. His journey in golf began in Pikeville, where he found success as a junior golfer. He received several college scholarships to play Division 1 golf but ultimately turned those down to stay home and represent his home state as a walk-on at the University of Kentucky. He rose to team captain in 1995-97 and won five tournaments as an individual, earning Second Team All-SEC honors in 1996.

After college, he worked as an Assistant Golf Professional at Champion Trace. Later, he became the Head Golf Professional and Superintendent at Green Meadow Country Club. Not quite done with competitive golf yet, he decided to pursue a career as a touring professional. With his wife, Heather, caddying, Justice earned full status on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2002. He was the low professional in the Kentucky Open three years in a row (2005-2007). While his talent as a competitor was evident, Justice reached even greater heights within the industry as a dedicated teaching professional.

As an instructor, Justice provides guidance and mentorship to golfers of all levels. His students span from collegiate athletes and tour professionals to junior and recreational golfers, and those in between.

Friend and student, Thomas Wynne, describes his teaching style saying, “I can speak personally to his time and effort that he puts into each of his students no matter their skill level. Grover’s personable nature allows him to connect with each of his students because he understands where they are coming from and where they can go,” he said.

Justice has been named to Golf Digest’s Best Teachers in Kentucky and Golf Range Association of America Top 100 lists multiple times and was awarded Kentucky PGA Teacher of the Year in 2022. He founded the Bluegrass Golf Academy in Lexington. The indoor training facility leverages tour-level technology and equipment, grows the game through junior development programs, and works to ensure recreational and professional golfers alike find the same love for the game as Justice.

While teaching, he has continued to showcase his elite playing ability by competing in KPGA Section events. He was named the Kentucky PGA Assistant Player of the Year (1999 and 2013) and the Larry Gilbert Player of the Year three consecutive years (2017-2019), allowing him to compete at the PGA TOUR’s Barbasol Championship in 2018 and 2019. In 2020, he was the Kentucky PGA Section Champion at Valhalla Golf Club, winning by seven strokes and the only player to finish under par (-5). Most recently, in 2025 Justice won the KPGA Senior Professional Championship by nine strokes and finished T-19 at the Senior PGA Professional Championship, which qualified him for a spot at the 2026 Senior PGA Championship at The Concession Golf Club. He was named the 2025 KPGA Senior Player of the Year. Justice is the only Kentucky PGA Professional to have won the overall KPGA Larry Gilbert Player of the Year Award, the Assistant Player of the Year, and the Senior Player of the Year.

When Justice isn’t competing or instructing, he enjoys spending time with his children, Logan and Madelyn, and his wife, Heather. Through both his playing and teaching, Grover Justice’s impact on golf in Kentucky, and beyond, is undeniable. He has made a lasting impression on hundreds of players and has showcased his passion for growing and excelling the game of golf.

Kim Kincer

Kim Kincer, Executive in Residence and Senior Lecturer at Eastern Kentucky University, has dedicated her career to advancing the game of golf through competitive play, coaching, professional leadership, and higher education. Her impact spans nearly four decades and includes achievements at the collegiate, professional, and administrative levels of the golf industry.

A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Kincer began her competitive golf career at Tates Creek High School, where she played on four regional championship-winning teams and competed in two Kentucky state championships. She continued her playing career as a four-year starter at the University of Cincinnati.

Kincer established herself as one of the most successful NCAA Division III coaches during her tenure at Methodist University. From 1998 to 2002, she led the Monarchs to five consecutive NCAA national championships and 14 other tournament titles. Her tenure produced 18 All-Americans and two individual national champions, earning her multiple National and Regional Coach of the Year honors. She was inducted into the Methodist University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Women's Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2024.

Beyond coaching, Kincer has built an extensive career as a golf professional, educator, and industry leader. She is a 32-year Class A member of the LPGA Club Professional Division and previously served as Site Director for the LPGA Junior Girls Golf Club. She worked at PGA National Golf Club, in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, as Assistant Golf Professional, earning Employee of the Year honors in 1986. From 1988 to 1998, Kincer held several leadership positions within Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Parks and Recreation golf operations, including Assistant Golf Professional at Lakeside and Tates Creek Golf Courses, Interim Head Golf Professional at Kearney Hill Golf Links, and Head Golf Professional at Tates Creek Golf Course, one of Kentucky’s busiest public golf facilities at the time, averaging 57,000 rounds in an eight year period.

In 2005, Kincer joined Eastern Kentucky University as the first female director of an accredited PGA Golf Management (PGM) program in the United States. She spearheaded the creation and accreditation of EKU's program, establishing the only accredited PGA PGM program in the region. Under her leadership, the program has since produced more than 250 graduates and 210 PGA Members since its inception in 2006.

Kincer has also served on numerous national committees, including the PGA National Education and Scholarship Committees, and the LPGA Golf Operations Advisory Committee. Locally, she was a Gilbert-Bunnell Foundation board member. Her leadership, commitment to student success, and passion for the game have left a lasting impact on collegiate athletics, professional golf management, and the future of the golf industry.

Steve Rogers

With a winning record spanning over the course of 40 years, Steve Rogers is undeniably one of the top amateur competitors Kentucky has ever seen. His enduring ability to compete at an elite level for several decades serves as a testament to his exceptional skill and unwavering commitment to the sport. Hailing from Bowling Green, KY, he led his high school team to two KHSAA State Championships and was the Individual Champion in 1974. This marked the beginning of an impressive competitive golf career.

Rogers earned a scholarship to play for Indiana University and helped the team with the Big Ten Championship in 1975. He won the Illinois Collegiate individually while serving as Team Captain and placed 8th in the 1977 NCAA Championship. After college, he continued to dominate in amateur events, winning the Kentucky Open (1982), the Kentucky Amateur Match Play (1995), the Kentucky Mid-Amateur (2006), the Kentucky Senior Open (2006), and the Kentucky Senior Match Play (2013-14). He has also played in 10 USGA events, notably the 2009 Senior US Open, and 10 R&A championships including the 2010 British Senior Open. Incredibly, Rogers has won over 30 club championships at Bowling Green CC, Indian Hills CC, and Calusa Pines. “Steve’s impact on Kentucky golf can not be overstated. His dedication to the game, both on and off the course, has set a standard for excellence that is truly remarkable,” Kentucky Golf Hall of Famer Kenny Perry says.

What sets Rogers apart from the rest is his generosity, positive spirit, and graciousness to his fellow competitors. He has mentored and supported young professionals, junior golfers, collegiate teams, and many others. He has given back to his community through serving on several boards such as the Salvation Army of South Central Kentucky, Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center, the Kentucky Golf Association, and Bowling Green Municipal Utilities. This work has served as a testament to Rogers’ character and passion for service to others. His achievements not only come on the golf course, but also in his professional life. This year, Forbes recognized his firm, The Rogers Tomblinson Group, as the top wealth management team in Kentucky.

“Golf is a game of integrity, perseverance, and sportsmanship, and Steve embodies all of these qualities. He has represented Kentucky golf with class, humility, and an unshakable passion for the game,” says Brandon Neal, “He is not just a great player; he is an ambassador, a role model, and someone who has inspired others through his actions both on and off the course.” An ambassador for Kentucky golf on a global scale, Steve Rogers has left a deep and lasting mark on the sport within his home state.

Pat Tallent

From Floyd County, KY, Pat Tallent is one of the most accomplished amateur golfers in the history of Kentucky. Growing up in Eastern Kentucky, Tallent was introduced to golf as a kid, but pursued basketball as his main sport. Coming from an athletically gifted family, Tallent excelled in basketball and received a scholarship to play at George Washington University. It was here that he walked onto the golf team and became the team’s number one player at the same time that he was becoming an All American basketball player and NBA draftee.

He started seriously competing in golf tournaments at the age of 34, when he qualified for the US Amateur. Following that debut, he competed in 36 USGA and 12 R&A championships, with his most prestigious victories occurring during his time as a senior competitor. In 2014 he won the US Senior Amateur at Big Canyon Country Club in Newport Beach, CA. The next year he won the 2015 British Senior Amateur at Royal County Down. He consistently posted strong finishes over the years, highlights including being the Low Amateur at the 2004 US Senior Open, a medalist at the US Senior Amateur in 2009 and 2010 (as well as being the Runner-Up in 2010), and Quarter Finalist at the British Mid Amateur in 2000. Tallent has also won several invitationals such as the Crump Cup at Pine Valley in 2003 and 2009 (senior) as well as the Coleman at Seminole Golf Club in 2010 (senior). He has been inducted into the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame, the George Washington University Athletic Hall of Fame, the Middle Atlantic Golf Hall of Fame, the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame, and the National Senior Amateur Golf Hall of Fame.

While his achievements as an amateur golfer are numerous, perhaps his most fulfilling success is in returning back home to Eastern Kentucky to restore and revitalize StoneCrest Golf Course in Prestonsburg. In 2023, he began redesigning the course, adjusting the yardage, and improving the maintenance. He allows high school and college kids to play for substantially reduced rates, and rounds have increased by over 50% since he took over management of the course. He currently provides financial assistance to 10 High Schools, 9 middle schools and two colleges that use StoneCrest Golf Course for their golfing activities. He has helped grow the game by providing a top tier golf course for players of every skill level. For his outstanding achievements in golf and dedication to growth of the game, Pat Tallent is deservedly inducted into the Kentucky Golf Hall of Fame.