Beating the Odds

The BCFF has a mission – to help children overcome disadvantages to become the best champions of their own lives.

Ben Curtis knows the feeling of overcoming the odds. In 2003, he rose from obscurity (ranked 396th) to become the first pro golfer since 1913 to win a major championship the first time out.

Ben Curtis teeing off

“My dream of playing on Tour became reality late in 2002 after I earned my Tour card through Q-School. Just a short time after, I played in and won the 2003 Open Championship at Royal St. Georges Golf Club in Sandwich, England – one of the oldest tournaments in the world. 2003 was a pretty great year for me. A solid start to my professional golf career earned me PGA Tour Rookie of the Year, and in August, I married my amazing wife, Candace, while playing at the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio. I went on to win three more PGA Tour events in my career, and had the great honor of representing Team USA as we won the 2008 Ryder Cup.”

Championing for an End to Child Hunger

After retiring from golf on the PGA Tour, Ben started the Ben Curtis Golf Academy at The Country Club of Hudson in Hudson, Ohio. He’s found a new passion in teaching children and preparing the golfers of our future. Following his passion for wine, he created a red blend, the Ben Curtis Cuvee, as well as a chardonnay through his exclusive label Fairway & Vines. Both are made by Rich Parducci, a fifth generation wine maker at McNab Ridge Winery in Mendocino County, just north of Napa Valley in California. A portion of the proceeds for every bottle sold goes back to the Ben Curtis Family Foundation, to help children in need in Portage, Stark and Summit counties.

Golf gave Ben Curtis the opportunity to work hard and achieve. He recognizes that, given an opportunity, every child should have the support to beat the odds and work hard for their own professional accomplishments, and embrace the spirit of championship that motivates every person, regardless of their skills and pursuits.

Join Ben in #TakingASwingAtHunger! Click below to get started.

Our affiliate companies, the Ben Curtis Golf Academy & Fairway and Vines, raise awareness for the Ben Curtis Family Foundation to help combat childhood hunger. Click on a link below to learn more about doing good just by doing what you love.