No Shortage Of Candidates To Succeed PGA Tour's Finchem
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Toms Does Not Think Outsider
Could Succeed Tim Finchem |
While there is no indication that PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem "will be stepping down anytime soon," there are "at least three in-house candidates whose names have been tossed around as possibilities" to succeed Finchem, "as well as a couple of players who might be interested in filling the role," according to Bob Harig of ESPN.com. Finchem has three years remaining on his contract, and it is "difficult to argue the success the PGA Tour has enjoyed" during his tenure -- purses have increased from $56M in '94, his first year in the position, to more than $280M today. There are "many who would love to see Finchem stick around beyond the end of his current deal," but the PGA Tour's policy board, which is comprised of nine members, four of whom are PGA Tour players, "will make the final decision on the next commissioner." Harig noted there are "clearly three in-house candidates" who could replace Finchem -- PGA Tour Exec VP & Chief of Operations Rick George, Golf Course Properties President David Pillsbury and Exec VP/Communications & Int’l Affairs Ty Votaw. Golfer David Toms: "I think it would be very hard for an outsider to come in and do it, unless they were here for at least a year to see how everything works. ... I think the best choice would be somebody from inside who has a personality and obviously has to be smart, but also know how tournaments work, how to deal with the people in D.C. that set policies for everybody, even our policies out here on the tour, with our tax situation and our retirement accounts and everything else." However, Golfer Tom Pernice said, "I think they'd either go outside or hire someone like [golfer] Peter Jacobsen. I think Peter would be very good because he's experienced (in) all aspects of the game." Golfer Steve Flesch said the next commissioner "doesn't necessarily have to have the same background" as Finchem, who came from a career in politics, or his predecessor Deane Beman, who played on Tour. Flesch: "I think a nice combination of both would be great." Harig noted golfer Joe Ogilvie "has also been mentioned" for the position. Ogilvie previously served on the policy board, as well as the players advisory council, and "has an interest in all things tour-related" (ESPN.com, 5/5).
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