Kevin Harvick has made an impression within the golf world, and after asserting Thursday that he’ll retire from NASCAR following the 2023 season, his footprint in a sport he loves will doubtless broaden.
Along with racing, the 47-year-old, who’s ninth all-time in profession wins (60) and made his Cup Collection debut in 2001, changing the late Dale Earnhardt for Richard Childress Racing, is an avid golfer.
Roughly 12 years in the past, Harvick wished one thing to take his thoughts off racing, so he picked up golf.
“(Golf) was the other of what I do on the weekends,” the 2014 Cup Collection champion advised Golf Channel in 2017. “It was quiet, there was no one round. It was an important launch for me to get away from racing.”
Harvick’s golf obsession solely grew from there. After enjoying at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership, he constructed a duplicate of its historic par-3 twelfth gap in his yard. And he made positive to duplicate each element — from Rae’s Creek to the Hogan Bridge and the azaleas.
Nevertheless, in 2011, Harvick took on one other endeavor off the race observe.
After UFC fighter Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone requested Harvick if he’d be occupied with managing him, Harvick has operated KHI Administration, a full-service sports activities company.
Amongst the company’s 14 present shoppers, three are PGA Tour gamers: Vaughn Taylor, Chesson Hadley and James Hahn.
Jason Gore was the primary skilled golfer to signal with KHI. In 2014, Gore was enjoying totally on the Korn Ferry Tour after dropping his Tour card. Desirous to rejuvenate his profession, Gore contacted Harvick and regained Tour standing in 2015. The 48-year-old is now a senior vp and participant advisor to Tour commissioner Jay Monahan.
“I used to be seeking to change some stuff and having doubts about making modifications and (Harvick) goes, ‘Hey man, in the event you’re not altering, you’re not making an attempt to get higher,’” Gore advised The Athletic in 2020. “So he began (serving to me take into consideration being) open to alter and attempt to maintain turning into higher and higher and higher. Then, I did.”
Hahn represented himself throughout his first few years on Tour, however after notching his maiden win in 2015, he felt the lacking piece to his profession was discovering a dependable administration firm to assist develop his model. In accordance with ESPN, Drew Steckel, a coach of Gore, was someday standing with Hahn. Steckel knew Hahn was in search of a administration workforce and requested Gore if KHI was wanting so as to add one other golfer. Gore then instantly spearheaded the partnership.
“It’s in all probability been the most effective resolution that I’d ever had in my complete profession,” Hahn advised The Athletic.
Harvick nonetheless has one season left driving the No. 4 Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing. Although he is reportedly set to affix Fox Sports activities as a NASCAR broadcaster in 2024, golf — enjoying and managing — will proceed to be a giant a part of the “18ish” handicap’s life. And with extra time on his palms following this season, he hopes to shave some strokes off his recreation.
“Completely. 100%,” Harvick mentioned in 2017, when requested if he’ll turn out to be a greater golfer after his racing days are over.