Florida, United States: PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem has been named World Golf Foundation (WGF) Chairman for 2016. He succeeds Pete Bevacqua, CEO of the PGA of America.
Finchem became Commissioner of the PGA Tour on June 1, 1994. Now entering his 26th year with the organisation, he has played an integral role in strengthening the PGA Tour’s position as one of the world’s most successful sports bodies.
During his tenure, the PGA Tour has raised more than US$1 billion of the US$2 billion-plus raised in its history for charitable organisations. Additionally, Finchem has been instrumental in the formation of the International Federation of PGA Tours and WGF.
His personal dedication to the success of The First Tee has led to the establishment of nearly 200 chapters, which have reached 6.5 million young people in the last decade.
“As a caretaker and ambassador of the game, I look forward to leading the World Golf Foundation’s Board as we take the game to new heights in 2016,” said Finchem. “With the Olympics on the horizon, it is an exciting time for the industry as we introduce golf to new audiences around the world.”
Steve Mona, CEO of WGF, said: “Tim has elevated golf’s profile globally and 2016 will be even more compelling with golf’s return to the Olympics. We are in store for an historic year and Tim’s leadership of WGF brings further promise.”
Along with Finchem and Bevacqua, other WGF Board members include Mike Davis, Executive Director of the USGA; Will Jones, Executive Director of The Masters Tournament Foundation; Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the PGA European Tour; Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A and Mike Whan, Commissioner of the Ladies Professional Golf Association.
Chris Normyle, Manager, Sponsorships and Events of the Shell Oil Company, also serves on the WGF Board as a representative of WGF’s Founding Partner.