Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 11, 1994 TAG: 9405110024
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: DALLAS LENGTH: Medium
Finchem, the 47-year-old son of a Marine sergeant who was selected Monday to succeed Deane Beman, was taking care of what he called "my first priority" as the chief executive officer for the American professional golf tour.
"It's very important that I meet the players, that they can get a sense of where I feel we are going," said Finchem, who takes over June 1. "It's very important that they feel comfortable with the idea of being able to pick up the telephone and call me."
Touring pros preparing for the Thursday start of the Byron Nelson Classic generally gave cautious approval to his selection, but some took a wait-and-see attitude.
"I think they should. I think that's the right thing to do," said Jay Haas, one of the four members of the committee who reviewed more than 50 applications before sending a short list of five to the tour's Tournament Policy Board.
Finchem, a former White House adviser who went to work for the PGA in 1987 and had served as deputy commissioner and chief operating officer since 1989, was a unanimous selection.
When the players meet him, Finchem likely will outline the four-point program he discussed Tuesday. As a preamble, he indicated no major changes were in the immediate future, and he saw no major problems.
"In 20 years, Deane has given us the building blocks for a very good tour," said Finchem, who practiced law in Virginia before serving as a White House adviser in 1978-79.
Chief among his concerns, he said, are:
Generating "substantial financial reward for our players." He said that while tournament purses have increased dramatically in recent years, the leading pro golfers remain underpaid when compared with leading pro baseball, football and basketball players.
"We have a challenge in the changes that will occur in television in the United States in the next few years," he said. "We must be sure we are postured to compete for the entertainment dollar."
There also is "a challenge with respect to the IRS," he said. The Tour, which generates millions of dollars for charity, is classified as a non-profit organization and, as such, "is under tax attack" by the Internal Revenue Service, he said.
Continued emphasis on the integrity of the game and its players. "That is essential," he said. "That is fundamental."
That platform comes as no surprise to players.
"I think the emphasis on television is important," Ben Crenshaw said. "With his White House background, with his legal background, I think he'll do well in handling television."
Otherwise, Crenshaw said, he saw Finchem's selection as "status quo."
"And that's not all bad," Lanny Wadkins said. "We have a pretty good thing going here."
Another player, who requested anonymity, said his only reservation was Finchem "may have been in the right job all along, as a numbers man, the No. 2 man."
by CNB