Straight Down’s Ben Kohles, Steven Alker succeeding on Tour

Straight Down ambassadors Ben Kohles and Steven Alker have had plenty to celebrate lately.

Alker has been PGA Tour Champions’ most dominant player this fall, while Kohles has changed the trajectory of his career with a string of impressive finishes.

It starts with Alker, who had three wins and a runner-up in a four-tournament stretch from August to October. This run has put Alker in contention for a second Charles Schwab Cup, awarded to the top player on PGA Tour Champions.

Kohles, on the other hand, has been one of the steadiest players on the PGA Tour since the summer. After starting his year on the Korn Ferry Tour – where he won this year’s BMW Charity Pro-Am – Kohles made the most of his opportunities and has strung together 10 consecutive top-30 finishes to regain his PGA Tour status for 2027.

Kohles’ consistent run included a top-25 finish at the U.S. Open and a third-place finish at the John Deere Classic. The U.S. Open was Kohles’ debut as a Straight Down ambassador, and his game has only gotten better since.

Coincidence? We like to think not.

Alker continues to show that great golf has no expiration date.

His season reached another level in August when he captured consecutive titles at the Rogers Charity Classic in Calgary and The Ally Challenge in Michigan. He followed those victories with another impressive performance in October, winning the inaugural Jefferson Lehigh Valley Classic.

Few stories capture the perseverance required to succeed in professional golf quite like Kohles’ 2026 season.

For a player who began the season without full playing privileges, the prospect of securing a PGA TOUR card for 2027 represents a remarkable turnaround. Kohles has made the most of his chances and put himself firmly in control of his own future.

Kohles’ journey is a reminder that success isn't always about where you start. It's about how you respond, how consistently you perform and what you do with the opportunities in front of you.

We love watching perseverance pay off. It’s why we support both Kohles and Alker, who spent decades grinding on a variety of tours worldwide before becoming one of PGA Tour Champions’ most dominant players. After winning only a couple times as a pro, he went on to beat Hall of Famers and become a major champion on the over-50 circuit.

Alker and Kohles are at different stages of their careers, but their 2026 performances highlight a shared commitment to excellence.

Both players understand that success is built long before the final putt drops. It takes preparation, discipline and the confidence to trust your game when the pressure rises.

Those qualities extend beyond the scorecard. They represent the spirit of the game and the mindset that drives players to keep improving.

At Straight Down, we’re proud to support golfers who embody the passion, dedication and competitive spirit that make the game special.

Here’s to Steven, Ben and a season worth celebrating.