Timothy W. Finchem (born April 19, 1947) is an American lawyer and retired golf administrator, who served as commissioner of golf's PGA Tour from 1994 to 2016.[1] He served in the White House for two years during the administration of President Jimmy Carter, from 1978 to 1979. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2021.[2][3]
Tim Finchem | |
|---|---|
 Finchem (left) with Phil Mickelson at The Players Championship awards ceremony | |
| 3rd Commissioner of the PGA Tour | |
| In office June 1, 1994 – January 1, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Deane Beman |
| Succeeded by | Jay Monahan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 19, 1947 Ottawa, Illinois, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Richmond (B.A.) University of Virginia (J.D.) |
| Occupation | Former PGA Tour commissioner |
Early life and education
editFinchem was born in Ottawa, Illinois. He graduated from Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He attended the University of Richmond on a debate scholarship, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969. While at Richmond, Finchem was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Rho Chi chapter. Finchem later graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1973.[4]
Early career
editAfter practicing law in Virginia Beach for three years, Finchem served in the White House during the administration of Jimmy Carter as Deputy Advisor to the President in the Office of Economic Affairs in 1978 and 1979. In the early 1980s, Finchem co-founded the National Marketing and Strategies Group in Washington, D.C.[5]
PGA Tour Commissioner
editFinchem took the position of Commissioner on June 1, 1994, succeeding Deane Beman, who retired after nearly 20 years in the post. Finchem had previously served as Vice President of Business Affairs, Deputy Commissioner, and Chief Operating Officer of the Tour.
In 2006, the total PGA Tour purse was $256.8 million, up from $56.4 million in 1994. That remarkable growth has a lot to do with Tiger Woods, but Finchem's supporters also give him some of the credit.[6]
Finchem was succeeded by Jay Monahan in January 2017.[7]
References
edit- ^ Director, Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial (2021-11-16). "Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame 2020-21: Tim Finchem, Transformative Leader". Sports Video Group. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Tim Finchem, former PGA Tour commissioner, elected to World Golf Hall of Fame". ESPN. Associated Press. April 20, 2020.
- ^ "Tim Finchem". World Golf Hall of Fame.
- ^ "Finchem Urges Graduates to Follow Their Passions | University of Virginia School of Law". www.law.virginia.edu. 2017-02-24. Retrieved 2024-06-14.
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20060705005953/http://www.pgatour.com/info/company/executive_bios
- ^ https://archive.today/20130124105615/http://www.golfdigest.com/newsandtour/index.ssf?/newsandtour/gw20060331sirak.html
- ^ Smits, Garry. "PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan recuperating from 'medical situation'". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved 2024-06-14.