PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem Named World Golf Foundation Chairman for 2016

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. ( January 18,2016) – Tim Finchem, PGA TOUR Commissioner, has been named World Golf Foundation (WGF) Chairman for 2016 by the Board of Directors. 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 organization, he has played an integral role in strengthening the PGA TOUR's position as one of the most successful, well-respected sports organizations in the world, and his leadership has helped foster the growth of the game, both domestically and internationally.

During his tenure, the PGA TOUR has raised more than $1 billion of the $2 billion-plus raised in its history for charitable organizations. 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."

“Tim has elevated golf’s profile globally and 2016 will be even more compelling with golf’s return to the Olympics,” said Steve Mona, CEO of WGF. “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.

For more information, visit www.worldgolffoundation.org.

About World Golf Foundation

The World Golf Foundation (WGF) is a nonprofit organization that unites the golf industry in support of initiatives that enhance the growth of and provide access to the game of golf worldwide, while preserving golf’s traditional values and passing them on to others. The Foundation, which was founded in 1993 and is supported by major international golf organizations and professional Tours, provides oversight to World Golf Hall of Fame & Museum, The First Tee, GOLF 20/20 and other industry initiatives in support of its mission.  As sole founding partner of the World Golf Foundation, Shell Oil Company provides financial support and plays a lead role in charitable initiatives aimed at introducing golf to young people, and through the golf experience promotes scholastic achievement, community service and those values intrinsic to the game of golf: honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.