Ben Clarke (footgolf)
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | English |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom |
| Born | 1991 Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, England |
| Occupation | Footgolf player |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Footgolf |
| Club | Gatwick FootGolf |
| Turned pro | 2017 |
Ben Clarke (born 1991) is an English professional FootGolf player. He is a four-time FootGolf World Tour champion and has consistently ranked among the top three players globally since 2020.
Early life
Clarke was a physical education teacher in Hertfordshire before discovering FootGolf in 2014.[1] He began playing competitively after being encouraged at a local course and quickly transitioned from amateur football to full-time FootGolf.[1]
Footgolf career
Clarke turned professional in 2017 after leaving his teaching job.[1] Since then, he has competed globally across Europe, North and South America, and the Asia-Pacific region.[2] He has represented the United Kingdom in international team events, including the European Championship and Jansen Cup.[3]
Professional achievements
Clarke first gained international attention by winning his third consecutive FootGolf World Tour title in 2019, securing victories across the World, UK, and European Tours.[4] He won 11 tournaments during the 2019 World Tour season and finished the final event, the Argentinian Open, at 20 under par. Clarke has competed against notable former professional footballers such as Roberto Ayala and Evgeniy Levchenko.[1]
He has also represented the United Kingdom in team events, finishing as a runner-up individually and with Team UK at the 2018 Federation for International FootGolf (FIFG) World Cup.[1]
Recent performance
From 2020 onward, Clarke has consistently ranked among the top three FootGolf players globally, including holding the world number one position during the COVID-impacted 2020 and 2021 seasons.[2][3]
- In 2023, Clarke was ranked first on the European Tour, winning four of nine events and competing on all continents.[3]
- In 2024, he finished second globally, with two wins and multiple podium finishes on the European Tour.[3]
- Through part of 2025, Clarke has won six of nine events played, currently ranked third worldwide, and has maintained podium finishes in every tournament.[3]
International
- Mexico Open (2024): 1st place[5]
- French Open (2023): 1st place
- Italian Open (2023): 1st place
- Dutch Open (2023): 1st place
- Slovenian Open (2023): 1st place
- Sharjah International (2023): 1st place[6]
- Vietnam Open (2025): 1st place[7]
Major achievements
- World Ranking: Top 3 globally from 2020 to 2025; ranked No. 1 during the COVID-affected 2020–21 seasons.[1]
- FootGolf World Tour Titles: Champion in three consecutive years, including 2019.[1]
- European Tour: Ranked No. 1 in 2023, and consistently in the top 3 from 2020 to 2025.[3][8]
- International Play: Competed on all continents.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "FootGolf star Big Ben clocks triple crown". Fifa.com. 4 December 2019.
- ^ a b Cassidy, Rory (6 March 2020). "FootGolf world No1 Ben Clarke to take on Scots hopefuls as UK Tour kicks off". Daily Record. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Ben Clarke - Tournament Results | FIFG". fifg.bluegolf.com. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ^ Cassidy, Rory (6 March 2020). "FootGolf world No1 Ben Clarke to take on Scots hopefuls as UK Tour kicks off". Daily Record. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ^ "Ben Clarke - Tournament Results | FIFG". fifg.bluegolf.com. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ^ gulftoday (15 January 2023). "Top-ranked Clarke emerges winner at Sharjah International Footgolf tourney". gulftoday. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ^ "Footgolfer thành công nhất lịch sử Ben Clarke tham dự Nam A Bank Vietnam FootGolf Open 2025". www.golfnews.vn. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ^ "Teacher leads UK team to victory in European Footgolf Championships". ITVNews. 15 November 2021.