Pro golfer to be inducted into Poway High’s Hall of Fame

Professional golfer Charley Hoffman, class of 1995, is one of three inductees into the Poway High School Hall of Fame this year.

The other two inductees are Jim Kempton, class of 1969, and Joan Samuelson, class of 1968.

Hoffman is being honored for his accomplishments in athletics in his career in professional golf.

Hoffman said he was “weirdly honored” to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. “I don’t feel like I’m old enough to be in any hall of fame,” said Hoffman. “It’s a great accomplishment to get into any hall of fame, but I personally think halls of fame are for people who are finished with their careers, and I’m definitely not finished. I’m definitely very honored, however, to be part of the Poway High School Hall of Fame.”

Hoffman played both soccer and golf while attending Poway High and said he had a lot of good memories of playing sports in high school, as well as the friends he made while doing so.

“You meet some of your best friends in high school ... I’m still good friends with many of mine,” he said.

Hoffman’s success with golf started early. A Poway native, he began playing at the age of seven and could often be found on the course at StoneRidge Country Club.

He won the California State High School Championship in 1994 and 1995, becoming the first two time winner, and under the tutelage of his Poway High School coach Bob Champion, qualified for the Buick Invitational as an amateur three times. His first time qualifying was as a 16 year old and he was, at the time, the youngest qualifying golfer ever.

After graduating in 1995, Hoffman attended UNLV, where he majored in communications. In 1998, he was part of UNLV’s 1998 NCAA Championship team and received an honorable mention All-American award. He graduated in 2000 and turned pro the same year.

Since turning professional, Hoffman has won three PGA tournaments, including the 2015 OHL Classic at Mayakoba, and he has finished in the top 10 in 36 PGA Tour tournaments. His career earnings as a pro golfer exceed $17 million.

Hoffman’s life is more than just professional golf. He married long-time friend and fellow Poway High graduate Stacy Vasil in 2009, and they have two daughters, Claire and Katelynn. The Hoffmans live in Las Vegas.

The Hoffmans also keep busy giving back with the Charley Hoffman Foundation.

The foundation holds two events a year, in San Diego and Las Vegas, and raises funds for several charity groups, including the San Diego County Junior Golf Association, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, Pro Kids, the Goodie Two Shoes Foundation and Blessings in a Backpack.

To date, the Charley Hoffman Foundation has raised over $1.3 million for charities in San Diego and Las Vegas.

The three alumni will be honored at a dinner from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at The Country Club of Rancho Bernardo, 12280 Greens East Road. Tickets are $35 and are available online at powayhighfoundation.org/hall-of-fame.html. The event includes a buffet dinner and a no-host bar.

Hoffman said he would be unable to attend the event, as he will be playing in a tournament that weekend.