By Jesse Neo, PhDJun 17th, 2024
Grew up really close to the practice putting green at Mill Creek GC in Ostrander, Ohio. Grandfather built the course and father is the superintendent there.
He began playing golf when he was just 3 years old, but he didn't start taking it seriously until high school. He was the champion of the Division II state in both his junior and senior years of high school.
The week after winning The Open Championship, I appeared on the "Late Show with David Letterman," hitting wedge shots from rooftop to rooftop on the show. I also paid a visit to President George W. Bush at the White House.
For most of 2003, his caddie was his former Kent State University teammate, Danny Sahl. Andy Sutton, who has worked as a caddie on the European Tour for a long time, caddied for him at The Open Championship.
Is friends with another student from Kent State University, Lou Holtz. They both belong to Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida.
Was one of six athletes who were added to the Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame in 2012.
What is Ben Curtis' Net Worth
Ben Curtis is a pro golfer from the US who has a net worth of $5 million.
The approximate net value of Thomas Benjamin Curtis is at least $7 Million as of May 4, 2024. Thomas Benjamin Curtis is in charge of U.S. Operations & Support at Domino's Pizza Inc and has around 10,638 shares of Domino's Pizza Inc (DPZ) stock valued at over $5 Million. Thomas Benjamin Curtis is also connected to Restaurant Brands International Inc as See Remarks, owning about 23,322 shares of Restaurant Brands International Inc (QSR) stock valued at over $2 Million. For more information, refer to Thomas Benjamin Curtis's Latest Holdings Summary section.
Early life
Curtis was born in Columbus, Ohio in May 1977. Ben's family operates the Mill Creek Golf Club in Ostrander, Ohio.
Career
He graduated from Kent State University and was a standout on the golf team. Curtis won the Ohio Amateur in 1999 and 2000, as well as the Player Amateur in 2000. He became a professional golfer in 2000 and initially competed on the Hooters Tour.
Curtis got his PGA Tour card and won The Open Championship in 2003. He was also named the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2003. Curtis has won four PGA events, including the Booz Allen Classic and 84 Lumber Classic in 2006, and the Valero Texas Open in 2012. He has represented the United States in international competition, winning the Palmer Cup, Eisenhower Trophy, and Ryder Cup. He came 2nd at the PGA Championship in 2008. Curtis and his wife Candace began the Ben Curtis Family Foundation in 2013.
Beating the Odds
Ben Curtis has experienced the thrill of beating the odds. In 2003, he went from being relatively unknown (ranked 396th) to achieving a remarkable feat - becoming the first professional golfer since 1913 to win a major championship on his first attempt. "I turned my dream of joining the Tour into reality towards the end of 2002 when I earned my Tour card through Q-School. Shortly after, I participated in and emerged victorious at the 2003 Open Championship at Royal St. Georges Golf Club in Sandwich, England - one of the oldest golf tournaments globally. The year 2003 was quite remarkable for me. A strong start to my professional golf journey led to me being named PGA Tour Rookie of the Year. Additionally, in August, I tied the knot with my wonderful wife, Candace, during the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio. Throughout my career, I triumphed in three more PGA Tour events and had the proud privilege of being part of Team USA's victory in the 2008 Ryder Cup."
Championing for an End to Child Hunger
After quitting professional golf, Ben started teaching kids and training future golfers at the Ben Curtis Golf Academy in Ohio. He now has a new interest in making wine, developing a red blend called the Ben Curtis Cuvee and a chardonnay under his exclusive label Fairway & Vines. These wines are produced by Rich Parducci, a fifth-generation wine maker at McNab Ridge Winery near Napa Valley, California. A part of the sales proceeds goes to the Ben Curtis Family Foundation, aiding children in Portage, Stark, and Summit counties.
Golf helped Ben Curtis succeed through hard work. He believes every child should have support to overcome challenges, work hard, and achieve their goals. This mindset of pushing oneself to be the best inspires people in all endeavors, no matter their talents or interests.
