Former Kentucky golfers are taking their shot at the ISCO Championship title
Former players and current coaches are taking part in the tournament at Keene Trace Golf Club
NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- Fans of the Kentucky Wildcats say that “Big Blue gets in,” to tout the fanbase’s strong support for its sports teams.
Champions at Keene Trace Golf Club is no exception this week. But, fans aren’t on the grounds yet. The players and caddies have the place to themselves until Thursday’s first round.
Whenever Kentucky’s golf fans arrive, they’ll be pleasantly surprised to see some familiar faces teeing off.
Goff on the Greens
Alex Goff, a recent UK graduate, is taking part in his first ever PGA Tour event as a sponsor exemption player. During his four years in Lexington, the North Carolinian maintained the best scoring average in program history since the early 1990s with 70.55.
“I’m trying to treat it like any other tournament. It’s easier said than done,” said Goff. “It’s cool walking the course alongside guys who do this for a living and do what I want to do one day. I have my assistant coach Chip on the bag. He’s been here before and played in this tournament.”
“Chip” is Kentucky men’s golf Assistant Coach Chip McDaniel, who played in the ISCO Championship in 2023. He also is a UK alumnus just like Alex.
“He always said this year that I was a good calming influence so that’s what I’m trying to do for him,” said McDaniel. “I’ve been in his shoes where you’re just turning pro, everything is coming at you fast and you thought you knew what you were doing, but you don’t.”
Lending Hahn a Hand
McDaniel is not the only current Kentucky assistant helping carry the load this week. Jacob Cook, a Frankfort native, is teaming up with four-time ISCO Championship player James Hahn.
Cook (left) and Hahn (right) during a practice round.
“I have a pretty good reputation as a caddie. I’ve gotten lucky a few times caddying for some friends in the US Open and US Amateur so I feel pretty good about my skills,” said Cook, who went through another Lexington connection to link up with Hahn.
Joe Muschong, who was a former All Ohio Valley Conference selection at Morehead State, is caddying for Lexington’s own Josh Teater. Hahn was travelling down from playing in the John Deere Classic when he called Muschong to ask if he knew anyone who wanted to be his caddie.
“(Hahn and Cook) will be a pretty good combination to keep an eye on this week,” said Muschong.
“It’s hard to find a good one and hopefully Jacob is one of those good caddies that I can lean on for the whole week,” said Hahn.
More Kentucky Connections
More connections from the Commonwealth are popping up in the practice rounds. Stephen Stallings Junior and Cooper Musselman are a pair of golfers from Louisville who took their talents to Lexington.
Both are playing as sponsor exemptions in this years tournament.
“It’s exciting to come back and grow junior golf in the state. It’s an exciting time to be in Lexington,” said Stallings, who has played in the ISCO Championship four times.
Musselman, who lost his Korn Ferry Tour card after last year’s season, has one ISCO Championship experience to his name. He played the tournament in 2019.
“I think that was the last time that I played a big time event in the Kentucky area. I’m super excited to be back here.”
How to watch the 2024 ISCO Championship
The tournament begins on Thursday July 11 and runs through July 14 at Champions at Keene Trace Golf Club.
Tickets are available here.
