Charley Hoffman: Local Makes It on the PGA Tour and Gives Back to His Community

Finding a native San Diegan can be a rare experience, as the city serves as a magnet that attracts transplants from all over the country. Pro Golfer Charles Hoffman, however, was born and raised in San Diego and continues to invest his time and resources in the birthplace of his life and career.

This week is a notable week in the San Diego golf world, as people are pouring into town to watch the Farmers Insurance Open. Hoffman is, of course in the event, but in addition to the Open, Hoffman and his charity, The Charley Hoffman Foundation used his being in the area to host one of their biggest fundraisers of the year. A charity fundraiser at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach and Pro-Am at the Monday of tournament week.

Charley started golfing at the early age of 7 in his hometown of Poway. He joined the San Diego Junior Golf Academy (SDJGA), one of the best programs in the country, until he qualified to join his high school’s team. In addition to playing other sports in high school, including soccer and baseball, he excelled in his golf career and was eventually picked up by UNLV to play college golf. His skills continued to progress and in 2007 he joined the PGA Tour. Since 2007, Charley has participated in several tournaments and championships, winning many tournaments, but more importantly to him, finding joy in continuing to dig deeper through his celebrity and golfing career.

In 2009, Charley married his long-time high school friend, Stacy, and they currently reside in Las Vegas with their two children. Stacy began getting involved on Tour, joining the Tour’s Wives Association. She began investing her time in different non-profits and eventually Charley and Stacy founded the Charley Hoffman Foundation to “help raise money and awareness for children’s organizations that provide a positive environment to better their future through education, sports, and health,” as their mission statement reads.

Charley Hoffman at The Belly Up on January 22, 2017

The Foundation began after Charley and Stacy started dating and dreaming of ways they could give back to their hometown. Charley reflected on his experience in the SDJGA and the incredible impact it had on him, not only as a child, but for his entire career. The Foundation supports SDJGA, Pro Kids, and The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. In addition to his love for sports, Hoffman’s family felt convicted to fund research and assistance for those living with Cystic Fibrosis, due to life losses in his in-laws family.

The Foundation is three-fold, with a focus on education, sports, and health, committed to bringing a holistic approach to the life of youth. Monday of this week, the Foundation had an opportunity to host the San Diego Pro-Am presented by ActivePDF on Torrey Pines newly renovated North Course. Some of the renovations for the course include larger greens, more complex bunkers, and fewer trees. Proceeds from the event went to support the Foundation’s 2017 beneficiaries.

Those who participated had the opportunity to play a round of golf with a PGA Tour Pro, while simultaneously investing in education and training in the lives of future golfers. The Pro-Am Package price included a ticket to a pre-party the night before at Belly Up in Solana Beach, however tickets to the charity party alone were also sold. Guests were surprised when American Idol favorite Daughtry was added to the docket, adding to the existing headline of Kelley James.

What’s truly remarkable about the Hoffman’s is there willingness to turn their success into an opportunity to give back. It is not every day that someone “makes it” and chooses to use their blessings to help bless others. The desire for this couple, early on in their dating relationship, to want to not only invest in the organizations that helped shape them, but also to give back to their hometown is an inspiration for everyone.

When sharing about his experience, Charley explained, “I learned so many life lessons on the golf courses that go beyond playing a game, and I know looking back that it shaped me in a profound way.”

Since the foundation began, they have raised over 1.8 Million dollars and have deeply enriched the lives of kids and families in their two hometowns, San Diego and Las Vegas.

Check out Charley Hoffman at the Farmers Insurance Open this week, starting January 26th. The Farmers Insurance Open has a strong field this year, including other golf greats, such as Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Bubba Watson, and more. Sources tell the Entertainer the rough is deep and the course should provide the players with plenty on]f challenge. It is sure to be bustling with visitors this weekend, with sunshine in its forecast