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Fishburn to Benefit from Year Two of Finau Foundation Mentoring

By Randy Dodson

In 2019 BYU’s Patrick Fishburn, the 2016 Utah State Amateur champion and 2017 Utah Open champion, was chosen jointly by the Tony Finau Foundation and the Utah Sports Commission as the first recipient of the organization’s mentoring program. Fishburn received $40,000 in financial support.

At the time Finau said,“He’s shown signs of greatness in his game. I think he just needs an opportunity. That’s exactly what we’re trying to do, give the best player in Utah an opportunity to play at the highest level. So I think he’s a very worthy recipient.”

LONDON,ON – SEPTEMBER 15: Patrick Fishburn wins the Canada Life Championship on the MacKenzie Tour on September 15, 2019 at Highland Country Club in London, Ontario, Canada. Photo by Claus Andersen/MacKenzie Tour *** Local Caption *** Patrick Fishbur

Proving him right, in September of that year Fishburn won the PGA Tour Canada’s season-ending Canada Life Championship, earning his next step to the Korn Ferry Tour.

Yesterday the Finau Foundation once again backed Fishburn’s climb to the PGA Tour, naming the former Fremont High product with a second year of mentoring status.

The Finau Foundation announced on Twitter: “We’re excited to announce that we’re continuing our support of Tour Pro Patrick Fishburn. Patrick is the first recipient of our mentoring program and will be this year’s recipient of our program as well. We team up with the @StateofSport (Utah Sports Commission) and the @UTChampionship to assist with the selection process and funding the program. Congrats to Patrick and good luck on your pursuit of a PGA Tour card in 2021.”

In the Covid shortened tournament calendar Fisburn had two top 5 finishes; at the Country Club de Bogota Championship and the Wichita Open. He also finished T23 at the TPC San Antonio Challenge at the Canyons, earning just over $82,000 in official money. He finished T36 at 2020 Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank.

“I’m anxious to get the Korn Ferry Tour season started and especially excited for the chance to compete here at home in the Utah Championship (in 2021) at Oakridge Country Club,” Fishburn said.

“I’m very honored and grateful that I’ve been selected once again for the Finau Foundation mentoring program. The assistance has been a huge help in my progression and development as I continue to pursue my goal of playing on the PGA Tour. I’m honored to be associated with Tony and his Foundation as well as the Utah Sports Commission.

“I’ve looked up to Tony since the first time we played together when I was 12-years old. I’ve always been impressed with his golf game but even more so with the type of person he is and how he’s always treated me. His foundation and the good it does throughout the community is a direct representation of the type of person Tony is.”

Finau, one of the most popular players on the PGA Tour said, “Patrick has shown some great promise this past season and I’m excited to continue our mentorship in 2021. It will be exciting following his progress and I believe he has what it takes to play at the next level.”

The PGA Tour announced the Korn Ferry Tour 2021 portion of the 2020-21 combined schedule will resume play Feb. 15-21 at the Lecom Suncoast Classic. The Utah Championship will be held Aug. 16-22 at Oakridge CC. The tour’s championship will be held Aug. 30-Sept. 5th.