Ben Kern…The 38-year-old from Ohio became the general manager (head pro) at Hickory Hills Golf Club in Grove City, Columbus, and moved his entire family – wife, Jessica, & daughter, Emma – from the great state of Texas. With the new job, he’s had to become a homeowner in his native land of OH, all while qualifying for the 2023 PGA Championship.
Kern made the trip to Rochester, New York, on May 18, 2023, after qualifying for the PGA Championship for the second time in five years.
Alongside fellow Ohioan Wyatt Worthington II, Kern joined a fortunate list of 20 club professionals that fought through a 312-player field in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to qualify for the PGA Championship.
It was Kern’s fifth qualifier appearance but just the second time he’d successfully qualified. In 2018, he made the PGA Championship cut in St. Louis, finishing 3-under and tied at 42nd, one stroke ahead of Rory McIlroy.
“Back in ’18, I thought, ‘Man, it doesn’t get any better,’” Kern commented after earning his spot. “I enjoyed it. As a club pro, we can qualify for a major. It’s the top of the list for me every year, and I’m checking that box of this year, and it’s going to be special again.”
Unfortunately, a positive result was always going to be a tall ask. As previously highlighted, it’s been a busy year for the husband and father of one, as the timing of the PGA Championship wasn’t ideal. He wasn’t settled or acclimatized in Columbus, and with his new role at Hickory Hills and as a general manager and head pro, time isn’t on his side. He estimated 60 hours of the week were spent on the job, leaving a small window to practice for the championship.
“It’s one of those things where I’m excited to do it, but I also don’t have any time to do it,” he added. “We’re closing on a house the day I return from New York. My job has taken off. It’s golf season. We have (club) tournaments left and right, teaching left and right.”
Kern was raised in Arizona and graduated from Kansas State. He’d long owned aspirations to play in the PGA Tour but never believed it’d be simple. He failed to advance from the mini-tour stage in five consecutive years.
Following a long grind, he became a club pro in Austin. He learned the ropes of the opening at Hickory Hills thanks to local pro-Bob Sowards.
“This will be my second time playing a major,” he said. “Having success, I did in 2018; it just gives you a little more, I wouldn’t say confidence, just that experience of I’ve been there, done that. It’s tough. It can be extremely nerve-racking to hit shots in front of many people. I know what to expect. So, I think I’ve got a little edge on some of the club pros that will be there.”
Despite having confidence against fellow club pros, Kern correctly understood the overall competition level.
“I’m going in with the same mindset I had in 2018,” he commented. “I don’t practice, and these guys are so freaking good. The more fun I have, the better I’m going to play.”
Once the 2023 PGA Championship was completed, Kern, unfortunately, failed to make the cut with a +13. Brooks Koepka took first place (-9). For this and future tournaments, this Betfred Ohio Promo Codes will grant you the best odds to win, and with such wide lines on underdogs such as Kern and fellow club pros, bettors can regularly find a huge bang for their buck.
Most importantly, Kern lived yet another pro club dream. It wasn’t his first time making the 2023 PGA Championship on the big stage, and we predict it won’t be his last.
“I’m 38 years old. So, there are a lot of guys that have done all this in the 50s. So, I hope to mark off a few more of these in the coming years.”
Ben Kern Career Accomplishments:
- 2017 – Winner of the Northern Texas PGA Pro Championship
- 2018 – Kern became the second PGA Club Pro o win the Texas State Open
- 2018 – Finished T-9 in PGA Pro debut & advanced to the 2018 PGA Championship
- 2019 – Member of the U.S. PGA Cup Team
- 2021 – Winner of Southern Texas PGA Pro Championship
- 2021 – Winner of Norther Texas PGA Memorial Championship
- 2021 – 2021 Southern Texas PGA Player of the Year
- 2022 – Career Grand Slam after winning Southern Texas PGA after the Tradition Championship