When Benjamin Stromberg ’17 was four years old, his grandfather and father introduced him to the game of golf. Now, 20 years later his childhood hobby has become his lifelong passion. 

He has taken this passion and made a career out of it.  

In December of 2020, Stromberg and his friend Jake Hoffman ’17 started GolfRoots in his parents’ garage during their senior year at Texas A&M University.  

“We wanted to make golf more accessible to the masses by breaking barriers and making golf equipment and education more accessible,” Stromberg said. 

GolfRoots primarily sells affordable pre-owned golf clubs for every level of golfer. They also sell headcovers, merchandise and shafts.  

Background 

When Stromberg was seven years old, he took a break from golf and started playing soccer. 

“I played soccer throughout lower school, middle school and upper school,” Stromberg said. “When that ended, I knew I needed to do something competitive.” 

He picked golf back up his senior year of high school to fill the void of competition when the soccer season finished. 

“When I got back into [golf], my grandpa couldn’t play anymore, and golf was something that we could really share with one another,” Stromberg said. 

Stromberg received his father and grandfather’s hand-me-down clubs. This partly initiated the start of his business, GolfRoots.  

“GolfRoots wants to be that grandfather, father, mother, sister, cousin, whoever it is that helps people get into the game,” Stromberg said. “We want to guide them through golf.” 

Greenhill 

Stromberg attended Greenhill from fifth grade to graduation, and is still connected to Greenhill. His mother, Beth Stromberg, is a Preschool and Lower School Spanish teacher. Stromberg is also a goalkeeper coach for the Boys Varsity Soccer team. 

Stromberg credits Greenhill for preparing him for his current job by equipping him with skills such as critical thinking, reading and writing skills. 

“Being a student at Greenhill gives you a level of confidence when going out into the world,” Stromberg said. 

During his eight years at Greenhill, he had been inspired by many teachers, notably his mother, Upper School History teacher Scott Cotton, and Fourth Grade Math teacher Greg Krauss, who also coached soccer at the time. 

Cotton recalls Stromberg as a diligent student in his Understanding 9/11 class. 

“He was as curious and enthusiastic as any student I have ever taught,” Cotton said. “He went above and beyond the reading list and course requirements.” 

Stromberg has spent a lot of time with Krauss as both a player and coaching alongside him. 

“The biggest lesson [Krauss] taught me, which is something I’m still trying to put into practice, is focusing on the controllables in life,” Stromberg said. 

Stromberg took the lessons he learned from Greenhill to go and create his company. 

“I recommend for aspiring entrepreneurs to find mentors, be constantly reading and just going for it and building something, no matter how small,” Stromberg said.