Robert T. (Bobby) Castor was born in Ashland, Ohio in 1981 to Tom and Pattie Castor. He graduated from Ashland High School in 2000 and from Duke University in 2004. Bobby returned home to Ohio and attended The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, graduating cum laude with a law degree in 2007.

As the son of Tom (Ashland HOF Class of 2014) and grandson of Bob (Ashland HOF Class of 1990), Bobby was never far from a golf course. While Bobby loved and played many sports, golf quickly became his passion. For a kid that loved golf, Bobby had it made. He received constant instruction and support from his dad and grandfather, and Tom taught Bobby many lessons about golf and life in those times together on the golf course that continue to guide him to this day.

Ashland has a rich tradition of junior golf, and the support and opportunities provided by Dan Priest at Ashland GC and George and Terry Valentine at Brookside GC played a large role in Bobby’s growth and development. Bobby began competing at a young age, winning many local and regional golf tournaments prior to high school.

At Ashland High School, Bobby was a four-year varsity letter winner and was the individual winner of numerous high school tournaments during his career. He was a strong contributor to three consecutive state-qualifying teams from 1997-1999.

In 1998, the Arrows capped off a dominant season by winning the Division I State Championship. Bobby finished as the individual State Runner-Up and was named First Team All-State. The 1998 Arrows team was honored as a Great Team by the Ashland HOF in 2008 for their historic season. Most importantly, the friendships and memories created by Bobby, Chris Yoder, Steve Paramore, John Locke, Kevin Priest and Adam Houston continue to this day.

The 1999, Arrows team again posted a strong showing at the State Tournament, finishing Runner-Up. Bobby was the individual State Champion, following in Tom’s footsteps and capping off the win in a playoff on the first hole, just as Tom had done in 1968. Grandfather Bob was the first one on the green to congratulate Bobby, bringing the three generations full circle. Bobby was again named First Team All-State in 1999.

Bobby achieved the team’s low stroke average in 1999, while also shooting 66 in one tournament to tie an AHS school record. He was also named multiple times as First Team All-Conference for the Ohio Heartland Conference and First Team All-District during his career.

In addition to his success with the Arrows, Bobby twice finished 3rd in the Ohio Junior Championship, and qualified for multiple prestigious national tournaments by winning regional qualifiers, including the PGA Junior and two USGA Juniors. At the 1999 USGA Junior, Bobby qualified for match-play and eventually lost to future PGA Tour player Camilo Villegas in a hard-fought match that received an evening news mention on the Golf Channel.

After high school, Bobby received a golf scholarship to play for Duke University. Bobby was a four-year varsity letter winner at Duke, competing for the Blue Devils at many tournaments around the country. He was named the team’s co-captain in 2003-2004. Bobby also received the Danny Parrott Sportsmanship Award in 2004 for his contributions to team leadership and was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Academic Honor Roll from 2000-2004.

Beyond his college tournaments, Bobby was the Club Champion at Ashland Golf Club in 2000 and 2001. In 2001, he advanced to the US Open Sectional Tournament, playing alongside PGA Tour player Steve Stricker for 36 holes. He won the Columbus District Golf Association Four-Ball Tournament in 2012 and 2016, and qualified for the national USGA Four Ball Tournament in 2017.

Professionally, Bobby spent 15 years in private legal practice, focusing on real estate and commercial finance. He was twice named the “Lawyer of the Year” for Commercial Finance in Columbus, and was nationally ranked by Chambers & Partners, the leading legal rankings firm. In 2021, Bobby left private practice to become a partner in a private investment company, focusing on investments in commercial real estate as well as small businesses.

Bobby is married to Mary Kate, his wife of 17 years, and they have two children – James (13) and Annabelle (11). Bobby has passed on his love of sports to his kids and has enjoyed coaching them in golf as well as helping with their youth football, basketball and baseball teams.

Bobby is thankful to his parents for their constant support and sacrifice of his golf career, and the priority they always gave to the pursuits of their children. He is grateful to be a small part of the storied tradition of golf in Ashland and honored to become the third generation Castor entering the Hall of Fame.