Stanford, Calif. – Steph Curry’s phone buzzed non-stop, lighting up with messages. Friends, teammates, acquaintances — all eager to share their reactions. Surprisingly, the chatter wasn’t about the Warriors or the team’s quiet offseason. It wasn’t about Jonathan Kuminga’s contract or free agency either. This time, the news was something everyone could rally behind.
Curry, a devoted golf enthusiast, had another reason to smile. The basketball legend took great joy in watching Tommy Fleetwood capture the Tour Championship — his first PGA Tour win after years of near misses.
“Our golf group chat was going crazy,” Curry said last week at Stanford Golf Course during the Workday Charity Classic. “We’ve always been big supporters of Tommy. Seeing him finally break through was incredible. It’s perfect timing with the Ryder Cup around the corner. Of course, I’ll be rooting for Team USA, but I love seeing players like Tommy rewarded for their perseverance.”
Curry didn’t post his excitement on social media, but LeBron James did. James, who only recently picked up golf, shared multiple posts during the final day of the tournament, celebrating Fleetwood’s win. LeBron has quickly caught the golf bug, much like Curry years ago, joining the growing number of NBA stars discovering the game.
Curry welcomes this new wave. For him, golf isn’t exclusive. It’s a joy he believes everyone should experience.
“Golf is for anyone,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out, coming back to it, or you’re already passionate about it. There’s always something to discover on the course. I love seeing people step into the game and realize how much joy it brings.”
For Curry, the feeling rivals what he experiences on the basketball court.
“When you hit that one perfect shot, it’s unmatched,” he explained. “Even if you only hit one out of a hundred, that one moment keeps you coming back.”
Picking the Best Teammate Golfer
Going into his 17th NBA season, Curry has played plenty of golf with teammates. Choosing the best among them isn’t easy, but he didn’t hesitate to make a call.
“Andre [Iguodala] would probably take the crown,” Curry admitted with a grin. “I’ve played with him recently and his game is sharp. Klay might be upset, but Andre is the best teammate I’ve golfed with. Pat Spencer deserves a mention too.”
And what about Draymond Green? Curry laughed at the thought.
“He sends me pictures of himself golfing on vacation. Let’s just say I use the word ‘playing’ loosely. He’s out there, but he’s still working on patience and improvement.”
Golf and Giving Back
Three days after Fleetwood’s win, Curry hosted the sixth annual Workday Charity Classic. The event, benefiting his Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, raised nearly $2 million this year. The proceeds focus on literacy programs for Oakland’s elementary students who are falling behind in reading.
Curry, already the author of two children’s books, will release his third, Shot Ready, on September 9. The book offers a window into his life and philosophy through words and images.
Standing beside the Eat. Learn. Play. bus, decorated with drawings of him, Ayesha, books, and a hoop, Curry shared the mission clearly.
“We want to remove the stigma and make reading enjoyable,” he said. “It should be part of daily life, because literacy opens the door to achieving your full potential.”
The foundation has already refurbished 20 school play spaces in Oakland, with a goal of 25 by 2026. CEO Chris Helfrich announced an ambitious plan to raise and invest $50 million for Oakland students by the 2025–26 academic year.
“Our belief is simple,” Helfrich said. “Oakland students deserve the best. We’re ensuring they get nutritious meals, intensive tutoring to become strong readers, and better access to sports. Middle school sports participation has tripled since we started. We’re also renovating schoolyards across Oakland to create spaces where kids can thrive.”
A Star-Studded Day on the Course
The charity event attracted sports icons including Steve Young, Peyton Manning, Larry Fitzgerald, Brandi Chastain, Matt Kuchar, Davis Love III, Michelle Wie-West, and Warriors owner Joe Lacob. Former teammate Andre Iguodala and assistant coach Bruce Fraser joined as well.
Curry, a major backer of Howard University’s golf teams, invited Kendall Jackson, a four-time All-NEC golfer and recent Howard graduate now turning pro, to compete.
The eighth hole served as the day’s hotspot. A taco truck filled the air with savory aromas, music pumped through speakers, and entertainer Kelly James kept the energy alive with freestyles and playful roasting of golfers as they teed off. Curry’s drive landed on the green, drawing applause, while his partner for the day, Workday co-founder Aneel Bhusri, went pin-high to even louder cheers.
Bhusri, who has supported the event from the beginning and recently joined the foundation’s board, praised the Currys’ direct involvement.
“Steph and Ayesha are hands-on in ways that most people don’t see,” Bhusri said. “They’re personally giving gifts, handing out food, making decisions about where to invest in Oakland. They lead with empathy, and it shows.”
Beyond the Fairway
The NBA season looms, but Curry shows no sign of slowing down his philanthropic work. His passion for golf continues to intertwine with his mission to serve Oakland’s youth, proving that his time away from basketball is just as impactful as his time on the court.
The only thing missing? Draymond Green stepping up to the tee, turning those vacation photos into something that resembles Curry’s steady shots.
