IUP Athletic Hall of Fame
Ben Witter has parlayed a successful college and professional golf career into fame as one of the top teaching pros and trick shot artists in the world.
Witter played at IUP from 1982-86 and was a four-time letterman. In each of his final three seasons, he was a team captain and earned AII-PSAC and NCAA All-America honors. Even when competing against golfers from Division I schools, he showed that he was among the best in the country, claiming titles at tournaments hosted by Navy and Penn State in 1985.
Witter also won the ECAC long drive championship in 1984 and the NCAA title in 1985 before turning professional in June 1986. He enjoyed success on the Professional Space Coast and Florida Mini Tours, finishing in the top 10 at several tournaments from 1986-89.
His career was interrupted by two bouts of jaw and lung cancer. He plays in an annual golf marathon for cancer research. In one marathon, Witter played 306 holes in one day and was featured on Ripley's Believe It or Not and Sports Illustrated Faces in the Crowd.
Witter is the owner of Ben's Power Golf Learning Center and is a PGA golf professional. He was named the Central Counties Chapter PGA Teacher of the Year in 1991 and 1995.
Witter is a graduate of Eastern Lebanon County High School in 1982 and IUP in 1986. He and his wife, Ann, are the parents of Samantha (17), Alexandra (16), Margaret (15), Gabrielle (13) and Nicolas (2).
