How did a former NCAA individual champion become one of the most consistent names on the Korn Ferry Tour? Ben Kohles made golf history in 2012 by winning his first two starts as a professional, a rare achievement that quickly established him as a player to watch. This Ben Kohles Biography covers his age, hometown, family background, wife, children, college career, professional wins, and PGA TOUR journey through 2026.
Ben Kohles Biography: Quick Facts
| Full Name | Benjamin C. Kohles |
|---|---|
| Known As | Ben Kohles |
| Date of Birth | February 24, 1990 |
| Age in 2026 | 36 years old after February 24, 2026 |
| Birthplace | Dallas, Texas, United States |
| Hometown / Residence | Cary, North Carolina, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| College | University of Virginia |
| Turned Professional | 2012 |
| Professional Tour | PGA TOUR and Korn Ferry Tour |
Ben Kohles Age, Hometown and Early Life
Ben Kohles was born on February 24, 1990, in Dallas, Texas. Although he was born in Texas, he is strongly associated with Cary, North Carolina, where he grew up and attended Green Hope High School. Cary is part of the Raleigh metropolitan area and has produced several accomplished junior and collegiate golfers.
As of 2026, Kohles is 36 years old. His path into professional golf was built through a standout junior career in North Carolina, followed by four productive years playing college golf for the University of Virginia Cavaliers.
College Golf Career at Virginia
Kohles attended the University of Virginia from 2008 to 2012. He became one of the program’s most decorated golfers and concluded his amateur career with one of the biggest achievements in college golf.
In 2012, Kohles won the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Individual Championship. The title placed him among an elite group of NCAA individual champions and significantly increased his profile before he entered the professional ranks.
His successful college record, combined with his calm approach and accurate ball-striking, helped prepare him for the demanding transition from amateur golf to the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR.
Ben Kohles Professional Golf Career
Ben Kohles turned professional in 2012 and made an immediate impact. In his first start on what was then called the Nationwide Tour, he won the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational. He followed it with another victory in his next event, the Cox Classic.
That two-win beginning remains one of the most remarkable starts in modern developmental-tour history. Kohles became the first player to win each of his first two starts on the tour.
Over his career, Kohles has moved between the PGA TOUR and Korn Ferry Tour, earning status through strong seasonal performances. His game has been particularly effective on courses that reward controlled driving, quality iron play, and consistent scoring.
Ben Kohles Tournament Wins
| Year | Tournament | Tour |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Nationwide Children’s Hospital Invitational | Nationwide Tour / Korn Ferry Tour |
| 2012 | Cox Classic | Nationwide Tour / Korn Ferry Tour |
| 2023 | The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic at The Abaco Club | Korn Ferry Tour |
| 2023 | HomeTown Lenders Championship | Korn Ferry Tour |
The 2023 season was especially important for Kohles. His two Korn Ferry Tour victories helped him secure a return to the PGA TOUR, demonstrating his ability to rebound and contend after challenging seasons.
Ben Kohles Wife, Children and Family
Questions about Ben Kohles’ wife, children, parents, and family are common among golf fans. However, Kohles has generally kept his private life away from public attention. Reliable PGA TOUR and Korn Ferry Tour biographical sources primarily focus on his golf accomplishments rather than detailed family information.
His parents’ names have not been widely published in official player biographies, and there is no consistently verified public information confirming the names of his wife or children. As a result, it is best to avoid unverified social-media claims or gossip regarding his family life.
What is publicly clear is that Kohles’ development as a golfer was closely tied to his upbringing in Cary, North Carolina, where he built the foundation for his collegiate and professional success.
Ben Kohles Career Profile and Playing Style
Ben Kohles is known as a patient, fundamentally sound professional golfer. Rather than relying solely on distance, he has built his career around precision, course management, and the ability to score on difficult layouts. Those strengths have helped him become a multiple-time Korn Ferry Tour winner and a recurring PGA TOUR competitor.
For fans searching for a concise Ben Kohles Biography, the key facts are clear: he is a Dallas-born, Cary-raised American golfer; a 2012 NCAA individual champion; a four-time Korn Ferry Tour winner; and a professional whose career has been defined by resilience and immediate success when opportunities arise.
