CLEVELAND — Bob Curtis has a collection of newspaper clippings of his son Ben’s career.
“Some of it we give back to Ben, and said, ‘You need to find somewhere for it cause we’re out of room,'” Curtis said.
Among the relics in this yellowing scrapbook of history is an iconic photo of Ben Curtis turning a corner in his career, winning the British Open Championship just three years into his pro career in 2003.
“Before, they didn’t know who he was,” Curtis said.
All these years later, Curtis is still proud of his son since he accomplished more than just going pro, which is hard enough by itself.
“He didn’t just play,” Curtis said. “He won.”
Before he was a champ or even a pro, Ben’s golf career started as a kid at Mill Creek Golf Club in Ostrander. Now Bob owns the club.
Bob never had to motivate Ben to practice. Ben spent hours practicing his short game on the course’s green, and on some nights, he would sneak out and practice putting in the dark.
“Having a good time, until his mother caught him,” Curtis said.
Bob said Ben’s competitive drive was born at his course. He remembers when a younger Ben won a dollar in a bet with a golfer that he could hit the ball more accurately than him. It was the first money Ben made playing golf.
“We’re going, ‘Well Ben, you can’t bet,’” Curtis said. “‘What if you’d lost your bet? You don’t have a dollar?’ He goes, ‘well I’m not gonna lose.’”
Ben retired from playing professionally in 2018. Bob remembers how much Ben liked practicing at certain holes. He said his son misses part of pro play.
“He doesn’t miss the travel,” Curtis said. “He doesn’t miss, I know he does not miss, being away from his family when it comes time to travel if they can’t go, cause he totally loves his family. So he’ll give all of that up to be with his family.”
Ben now teaches golf, which Bob said is a great way to stay involved in the game his son loves. And Ben can still play whenever he wants.
“It’s a job, and it’s tough,” Curtis said. “Now it’s fun.”
