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C M Y Winning title was never expected By LUCAS SULLIVAN have written a better story. All at this level,” a humble Ben Sports Writer the Cinderella stories couldn’t Curtis said. “I was shaking in On Sunday morning, Bob have produced a better ball than my boots, obviously, but I was Curtis went about his usual rou- the one that unfolded Sunday at just out there very focused on tine mowing the greens at Mill Royal St. George’s. what I had to do and let my work Creek Club. A PGA Tour rookie from a speak for itself.” By the afternoon, he was the town no bigger than that of But out at the Curtis family father of the 2003 British Open Sandwich, England, the site of in Ostrander, there champion, Ben Curtis. this year’s 132nd Open were enough nerves to go around. Bob found himself Championship, plays 72 holes at “It’s unbelievable right now,” walking out of the packed club- said Bob Curtis, the course’s 1-under , holding off players house to get a grip on what was superintendent. “He has done , and happening. something very special and it Thomas Bjorn to win golf’s His boy was atop the leader- really hasn’t sunk in.” most prestigious tournament. board at the British Open — the Ernest Hemingway couldn’t “I’ve won in the past, just not BRITISH OPEN! Throughout the day, family and fans started to show up at Mill Creek to feel a part of the biggest thing to happen in the history of sports in Delaware County. “It’s just hard to realize what has just happened,” said Myrtie Gazette file photos Black, Ben’s grandmother. “He Above: Bill Black, center, talks golf with his two young grandsons, Nick Curtis and Ben has done something that most Curtis, right. Below: Ben Curtis stands in front of the scorer’s tent with a trophy for win- people never thought he could ning the 2000 Ohio Amateur. do.” followed up an invitation to the But that has been the Curtis Memorial Tournament, where he family ideology since his grand- missed the cut, by qualifying for father, Bill “Blackie” Black, with a purchased 63 acres to build a 13th-place finish at the 100th golf course that everyone could two weeks ago. afford to play. The finish was Curtis’ best on In 1972, Black constructed tour before Sunday’s phenome- the first nine holes. By 1975 nal round that left him as the another nine and a clubhouse only player to finish in red fig- were added after play became ures. too heavy for the nine-hole But his biggest accomplish- course. ment might have been being able As the story goes, back in to show his grandfather his PGA 1983 when Ben was about 6 card before Black died in years old, Black put a February. in the youngster’s hands and “He was with him today,” taught him the game of golf. Myrtie Black said of her late “I grew up living right off the husband. “He had a lot of people 18th (green) for 12 years,” Ben praying for him and wanting him said. “I grew up with the game to just do his best.” around me. It’s a very nice golf Curtis saved his best for last. course, but it’s not a champi- “(Sunday) I just got off to a onship style golf course.” better start and got ahead,” Ben played the course for the Curtis said. “I was playing hard next 12 years. After graduating coming in.” from Buckeye Valley in 1996, he As this reporter saw Curtis’ was awarded a golf scholarship family Sunday, watching a third- to . There generation golfer win golf’s he earned All-American honors biggest trophy in a place built in 2000 and captured three Ohio out of love for the game, it Gazette file/Matt Emmons Amateur championships by the seemed they all had played hard A senior at Buckeye Valley in October 1995, Ben Curtis time he graduated. coming in. off during the state golf tournament. Fast forward to 2003. Ben [email protected] Ben Curtis: At a glance REACTION The road to Ben Curtis’ British Open champi- State University and immediately turns pro. (Continued from Page 2) being there, but you really “We’re going to go crazy,” onship: 2000-2001 — Curtis plays on the Hooters and you can’t do anything about couldn’t expect him to win,” Ellison said. “Just yell and May 26, 1977 — Bob and Janice Curtis gave Tour. it. Somewhere along the line, I Bob Curtis said. “If you scream and give him the biggest birth to their second son, Ben. Oct. 2000 — Curtis competes in his first PGA thought he was going to feel it.” would’ve told me Monday or hug in the world. Spring 1983 — Curtis’ grandfather, Bill event, missing the cut at the Buick Challenge. Ben’s mother, Janice, Tuesday that this was possible, I “It couldn’t have happened to Black, introduces him to the game of golf at the Dec. 2002 — Curtis earns his PGA Tour card watched the telecast with eager would’ve thought everyone had a nicer person. He’s just a great age of 6. after finishing in a tie for 26th in qualifying. anticipation, alternately clutch- lost their mind.” guy who’s great at what he does. Oct. 1992 — Curtis wins the Central District Feb. 2003 — Black dies while the family is ing her hands against her chest And now that he has proved I’m on cloud nine right now.” title as a freshman at Buckeye Valley High constructing a new clubhouse at Mill Creek. and giving out hugs. When the all the doubters wrong and taken [email protected] School. May 2003 — Curtis finds out he has been dust cleared and Ben was home the Claret jug? June 1996 — Curtis graduates from Buckeye given an exemption to play in the Memorial declared the winner, Janice let “His life will change a lot,” Valley with three district titles, two consecutive Tournament, where he misses the cut. Bob Curtis said. “He just has to MAJOR her emotions flow. go along with that and get the state titles and a scholarship to play golf at Kent July 2003 — Finishes in a tie for 13th at the “I really can’t describe the State University. Western Open to qualify for the British Open. most he can out of it.” (Continued from Page 2) feelings right now,” she said. “It Adam Ellison, another child- 10, 15, or 20 under par to win. If June 1997 — Curtis competes in his first July 12 — Curtis and his fiancé, Candace will sink in sometime, maybe Nationwide Tour event, missing the cut at the Beatty, depart from Cleveland, bound for hood friend of Ben’s, planned to you stay around par, you’re Nike Cleveland Open. Sandwich, England. months from now.” meet Ben at the airport in going to be right in the hunt.” 1999 — Curtis wins his first of two Ohio July 20 — Curtis shoots 4-under on the front Bob Curtis said the ending Cleveland upon his return today. Stuff of the movies? Curtis Amateur championships. nine in the final round of the British Open to win was a fairy tale that he never Ellison said he couldn’t wait to himself couldn’t have written a Spring 2000 — Curtis graduates from Kent the 132nd championship. expected to come true. be the first one to greet the new better script. “You dreamed about him British Open champion. [email protected] FINAL ROUND Hole 123456789 Out101112131415161718 Final PAR 443543544 36434454344 71

Score 3 4 3 4 4 3 4 4 3 32 325 4 653 5 4 69

THIRD ROUND Hole 123456789 Out101112131415161718 Final PAR 443543544 36434454344 71

Score 5 4 354 4 4 4 5 38 3 3 454 3 3 3 4 70

SECOND ROUND Hole 123456789 Out101112131415161718 Final PAR 443543544 36434454344 71

Score 4 4 354 2 55 4 36 3 3 455 5 3 4 4 72

FIRST ROUND Hole 123456789 Out101112131415161718 Final PAR 443543544 36434454344 71

Score 4 4 334 5 3 4 5 5 37 454 4 4 3 4 4 72

Denotes birdie Denotes bogey Gazette graphic by Dan Wolf X X