The 2024 Kevin Harvick Foundation Junior Championship is set to receive the American Junior Golf Association’s Game Changer award.
The Game Changer award, previously known as Most Improved, is awarded to an event that has greatly improved since the previous year.
“I have been fortunate to work with this course, committee, and sponsors since the beginning of the event in 2023 and I am happy that they all are being recognized for the spectacular effort they have put into this event since day one. From the Junior-Am to additional hospitality that they all provide for the juniors, this event clearly has importance to them and their community and we at the AJGA are so grateful for their support the past two years and for years to come."
The Kevin Harvick Foundation, founded by Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick and and his wife DeLana Harvick in 2010, works to help underprivileged youth pursue their dreams, according to the foundation website .
Since its inception in 2023, the foundation, golf course and tournament committee successfully funneled their efforts into elevating the 2024 event in various ways, earning it the title of Game Changer.
One of which was continued efforts to improve the juniors' experience. The tournament added a Junior-Am to its schedule, securing over $20,000 via team sponsorship and raising an additional $18,000. The tournament provided complimentary water, sports drinks, snacks, fruits and more to players.
Additionally, Kevin Harvick’s hands-on approach to the tournament was a meaningful addition. The former NASCAR driver was on-site at the tournament during the Junior-Am, delivered remarks at the reception and spoke to several local news stations about the tournament.
The tournament showed a tremendous commitment to AJGA’s “Project Zero” initiative, a project aimed to alleviate costs associated with staff lodging, food/water, a medic and transportation to maximize the amount that goes to charity.
The tournament arranged donated refreshments for the players and donations to decrease the cost of the JAM reception, breakfast and cookout, along with an arranged volunteer medic. For the AJGA staff, the golf course staff donated a welcome meal for all the AJGA staff and secured four courtesy cars via Motor City GMC for AJGA staff use. Plus, Visit Bakersfield increased its support to $12,500.
The tournament will continue to cement its legacy at the AJGA with a plan to return to Bakersfield Country Club for the next three years and an official three-year partnership with the Kevin Harvick Foundation for $50,000.
The Game Changer award will be officially presented at this year's Kevin Harvick Foundation Junior Championship, held on August 5-8, 2025, at the Bakerfield Country Club in Bakersfield, California.