Discover the incredible story of how PGA Tour star Tony Finau is giving back to aspiring professional golfers through his foundation. From his humble beginnings in Rose Park, Utah, to becoming a six-time PGA Tour winner, Finau never forgot his roots.
This inspiring video explores how the Tony Finau Foundation provides $30,000-45,000 annually to Utah golfers chasing their professional dreams – with no strings attached. Meet the players whose careers have been transformed:
• Mitchell Schow – Monday qualified for Utah Championship
• Patrick Fishburn – Now a PGA Tour member with 50+ Tour events
• Peter Kuest – BYU graduate pursuing professional golf
Learn about Tony’s journey from hitting balls into a mattress in his family garage to supporting the next generation of golf professionals. The foundation focuses on literacy, basic needs, and mental health resources while providing crucial financial support for tournament expenses.
Key highlights:
– How financial barriers prevent many talented golfers from turning pro
– Tony’s 8-year journey to make the PGA Tour
– The foundation’s impact on Utah’s golf community
– Stories of mentorship and paying it forward
– Partnership with Utah Championship and Korn Ferry Tour
This is more than just golf – it’s about community, perseverance, and the power of giving back. See how one player’s success is creating opportunities for an entire state’s golf talent.
#TonyFinau #PGATour #GolfFoundation #UtahGolf #ProfessionalGolf #SportsPhilanthropy
Chasing dreams often comes with a hefty price tag. And for many aspiring professional golfers, that cost can feel insurmountable. But what happens when someone who has walked the same challenging path, decides to extend a hand? This is exactly what Tony Fenau, a sixtime PGA Tour winner, is doing for golfers from his home state of Utah. And it’s creating waves in the golfing world. But here’s where it gets controversial. Should successful athletes bear the responsibility of financially supporting upandcomers? Let’s dive into this inspiring yet debatable initiative. Last month, Mitchell Show earned a spot in the Utah Championship on the corn ferry tour after Monday qualifying. A significant milestone for any golfer. Excited by his achievement, show wasted no time sharing the news with family, friends, and even Tony Fenow himself. Why Finnow? because he’s more than just a celebrated golfer. He’s a beacon of hope and mentorship for countless players from Utah who view him as a pivotal figure in their careers. Life on tour isn’t cheap. In fact, financial strain is one of the biggest hurdles keeping talented individuals from pursuing their dreams. Few understand this better than Feno, whose early life was far from privileged. Raised alongside six siblings in Rose Park, a tough neighborhood outside Salt Lake City, money was perpetually tight. To practice golf, Tony and his brother Gipper resorted to hitting balls into an old mattress setup in their family garage. Their creativity and determination laid the foundation for Tony’s future success, but not without immense sacrifices. At just 17 years old, Tony turned professional after being entered into a $2 million putting contest in Las Vegas. The entry fee of $50,000 per participant was covered by a local businessman who believed in the Fenow brothers potential. Though Tony didn’t win the grand prize, he earned enough to repay his sponsors and kickstart his pro career. Yet those early years on mini tours were grueling both emotionally and financially. It took him nearly 8 years to finally break through onto the PGA tour. Now approaching his 36th birthday, Fenel hasn’t forgotten the struggles he faced or the people who helped him along the way. Determined to give back, he founded the Tony Fenale Foundation in 2015. While its primary focus includes supporting literacy programs, addressing basic needs, and offering mental health resources, the foundation took a unique turn in 2018. It began assisting professional golfers with ties to Utah. Recipients must either hail from the state or have attended college there. The first awardees were Patrick Fishburn, a Utah native and BYU alumnus, and Peter Quest, another BYU graduate. Fishburn, now a PGA Tour member with 50 career events under his belt, credits much of his success to Fenel’s generosity. Reflecting on their shared history, Fishburn recalls how Tony mentored him during their junior golf days, even when Fishburn was only 12 years old. After turning pro, Fishburn received financial aid from the foundation, which he describes as a gamecher. For 4 years, the support allowed him to focus on honing his skills rather than worrying about making ends meet. Quest shares similar sentiments, acknowledging that while he hopes never to need financial assistance again, knowing the foundation is available provides peace of mind. Despite competing against each other on the course, Fishburn still views Fenow as a mentor both professionally and personally. And this raises an intriguing question. Is it common for a top tier athlete at the peak of their career to dedicate so much time and energy to helping others achieve their goals? Chelsea Fairburn, the foundation’s executive director, explains that applying for assistance is straightforward. Candidates submit a cover letter, resume, and optional letters of recommendation. A selection committee, which includes Fenow, and prominent figures from Utah’s golf community, reviews applications, and chooses the recipients. Once accepted, players commit to a minimum two-year program and receive between $30,000 and $45,000 annually to cover expenses. What makes this program stand out is its flexibility. There are absolutely no strings attached. Players aren’t required to repay the funds, nor are they obligated to follow specific schedules. They’re free to allocate the money however they see fit, whether it’s for travel, equipment, or living costs. Currently, the foundation supports Mitchell Shiao, Connor How, and Carson Lundelle. Shiao, 28, openly wonders where his journey would be without the foundation’s backing. I wouldn’t have been able to compete in Monday qualifiers, he admits, adding, “I’m not sure I’d even be here today without their help.” Although Shiao finished tied for 54th at the Utah Championship, the opportunity itself was made possible by the foundation’s unwavering support. So, what do you think? Should elite athletes take on the role of benefactors for rising stars? Or does this blur the lines between competition and canoderie? Share your thoughts in the comments below. We’d love to hear your perspective.
