Downtown Kent looked different than normal on June 21, with 18 themed putt-putt holes popping up outside and around local businesses.
The themed holes represented the 18 participating businesses as a part of Main Street Kent’s annual Putt Around Downtown.
This year brought a few changes to the annual event, with downtown Kent restaurant Laziza and its new owners serving as the leadoff restaurant.
The 2025 event also welcomed a partnership with the Ben Curtis Family Foundation. The ticket proceeds go to support the family-run charity with the mission to end childhood food insecurity, started by former professional golf player and Kent State University graduate Ben Curtis.
Cassandra Frantz and her husband, Ryan Metcalf, have been Laziza’s newest co-owners since the fall of 2024, and the opportunity to be the featured leadoff business excited Frantz’s creative side, especially in the construction of Laziza’s putt-putt hole.
“This is the first year we get to be a part of it, so we are really excited, but we have never actually done it before, so it’s going to be a bit of an adventure for us,” Frantz said. “It helps keep the downtown area vibrant, … and it adds to the sense of community that makes downtown Kent feel special.”
Frantz and the rest of the Laziza team went all in with their hosting responsibilities by offering special refreshments and treats for Kent’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas. This year’s specialties included tropical flavored DORA pops and the restaurant’s signature brownies.
The Ben Curtis Family Foundation and its booth were situated in Laziza for event attendees to get the chance to meet the golfer and learn more about the foundation’s mission.
“As parents and people whose livelihood is intimately connected with food, food scarcity and hunger will always be central issues for us, especially when it comes to local children,” Frantz said. “We love the work the Curtis Family Foundation does, and this year, there are t-shirts available for purchase with some of the proceeds going to the foundation.”
The foundation has its roots in Portage County, providing weekend meals through its Birdie Bag initiative to local school children across fourteen districts, according to co-founder Candace Curtis, Ben’s wife.
Candace Curtis said she and her husband gained inspiration to start the foundation after viewing a documentary showing a family struggling with food insecurity.
“We thought how it must feel as a parent to not be able to provide such a basic need,” Candace Curtis said. “Then it kind of led us to think, is that happening in our hometown of Kent?”
She said the foundation has served around 6,000 kids in 2025, alleviating some of the burden around the issue of childhood food insecurity. Still, 4,640 Portage children in 2024 faced the same issue, according to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.
“Just another way to get our name out there, get new supporters,” Ben Curtis said. “To help alleviate childhood hunger not only in Kent but in the surrounding communities, it’s just huge, and every time we can get out, get in front of the public, it’s great.”
Ben’s appearance attracted attention from golf fans, with a photo opportunity with the former professional who was willing to help some golfers with their putt-putt swings.
“I remember him back when he was on the tour, like I grew up watching him, so I am a fan of Ben Curtis,” Kent native Jason Klein said.
Jason Klein was joined by his wife, Erica Klein, and used the event as a chance to channel their competitive nature into their game.
“I think I will beat him,” Erica Klein said. “He’s laughing, which means he thinks he will be the one who wins.”
Monroe Falls residents Diana and Dan Panaia had the desire to attend Putt Around Downtown for two years and brought their son Anthony Panaia.
“We didn’t even see [Ben Curtis] because [Anthony] spun the wheel and he was excited about candy [at Curtis’ booth],” Diana Panaia said.
In addition to the Kleins and Panaias, Mainstreet Kent estimated 150 people attended Putt Around Downtown this year.
“Thanks to the community for all the support through the years and for allowing us to go help as many kids and children as we can,” Ben Curtis said.
Nikki Gasiewski is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
