Former PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem helped launch the First Tee 27 years ago in New York’s Central Park, with Tiger Woods and former President George H.W. Bush at his side and the promise that golf could do better to become more inclusive.
The initiative is now reaching 3.4 million children and youth this year, at 150 chapters, 11,450 schools and 2,000 youth centers around the world.
The First Tee gave its thanks to Finchem on Oct. 7 in Scottsdale, Ariz., when it presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award at a First Tee event.
“Tim’s leadership in what this organization has become is immeasurable,” said World Golf Foundation CEO Greg McLaughlin. “The contributions that he has made to the millions of young people and their families around the country and around the world, as well as to the game of golf, will be felt for decades to come.”
Finchem’s successor at the PGA Tour, Jay Monahan, was also present at the ceremony
“Tim worked alongside other leaders in our sport, both with golf organizations and the greats of the game, to help facilitate the establishment of First Tee, which now reaches 3.4 million young people,” Monahan said.
Finchem received congratulatory messages from Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, USGA CEO Mike Whan and LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, as well as prominent First Tee supporters such as Arthur Blank, Charles Schwab and Casey Wasserman.
President Bush served as Honorary Chair of First Tee from 2011 to 2024, succeeding his father, President George H.W. Bush, who was the organization’s Honorary Chair from 1997 to 2011.
Kaitlyn Schroeder gets first ASUN honor
University of North Florida sophomore Kaitlyn Schroeder earned her first ASUN women’s golfer of the week after her second top-10 of the season at the Evie Odom Invitational, at the Princess Anne Country Club in Virginia Beach, Vla.
Schroeder closed with a final round 69 to finish at 2-under 212 and an eighth-place finish.
It also was UNF’s second golfer of the week award. Senior Casilda Allendesalazar received the honor on Sept. 26 after a tie for fifth at the Lady Paladin Invitational at Furman University.
Chloe Schaivone takes her talents to Virginia
Bolles graduate Chloe Schiavone, who graduated last spring at Notre Dame, recorded her best finish as a graduate player at the University of Virginia with a 12th at the Cavalier Regional Preview on Sept. 24 at the Birdwood Golf Course in Charlottesville, Va.
Virginia finished second as a team to North Carolina. Schaivone, who shot 2-over 215 (73-69-73) was the Cavaliers’ second-place finisher, behind teammate Amanda Sambach, who was second overall at 4-under 209.
Schiavone, a two-time Times-Union high school player of the year, graduated with a business administration degree at Notre Dame and was a member of the ACC All-Academic team. She is in a graduate program in Public Policy and Leadership.
Taylor Davis wins chapter championship
Timuquana Country Club pro Taylor Davis shot 5-under-par 139 at the Plantation at Ponte Vedra to win the Northern Chapter PGA championship by five shots over San Jose Country Club teaching pro Stephanie Connelly-Eiswerth. Jennifer Borocz of the North Florida PGA Section was another shot behind in third.
Davis also won the assistants competition by three over Mark Tullo de Best of the Deerwood Country Club, with UNF assistant men’s golf coach Michael Mattiace another shot back.
Aaron Russell of Sawgrass Country Club won the Chapter senior title by two shots over Clint Avret of Southeastern Turfgrass Supply.
Tyler Mawhinney, Miles Russell contribute to Junior Presidents Cup
Tyler Mawhinney of Orange Park and Miles Russell of Atlantic Beach each won a match and Mawhinney tied in another to help the U.S. win the Junior Presidents Cup 15.-9 at Royal Montreal.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: First Tee gives former Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem its highest award
