East Lake, Atlanta, GA … It is like the final bow for the last of the ‘Big Three’ in golf administration.

The golf world has seen George O’Grady step down after some 10 years as CEO at the European Tour and recently R & A  CEO, Peter Dawson handed over the St. Andrews reins to Martin Slumbers.

This week we witnessed one of Tim Finchem’s final public addresses as Commissioner of the PGA Tour with word the 69-year old is stepping aside at the end of the year and passing control of golf’s biggest tour to present Deputy Commissioner, Jay Monahan.

George O’Grady and Tim Finchem. (Photo – Gettys)

But while interest grows to fever pitch ahead of next week’s Ryder Cup, Finchem fondly recalled the first time he attended a Ryder Cup and the kindness extended to him by his future European ‘opposite’.

“I was working on the PGA Tour but had not been appointed Commissioner when I attended a Ryder Cup being hosted by Europe,” said Finchem

“I recall meeting George at this particular Ryder Cup but then my pass was very limited in terms of access.

“George extended his hand to me and assured me I would have full access for the remainder of that week. It meant full clubhouse access and hospitality access and it was one of my first experiences in getting to know George who since that Ryder Cup has remained a close and dear friend.”

And Finchem was asked what he thought of the state of today’s relationship between the PGA Tour and the European Tour along with the various other tours around the golfing globe.

“I think our relationship with the European Tour and the other tour’s is good,” said Finchem.

“Back in ’94 we started an international forum that started getting all the various tours talking to each other.  A few years later we converted that to the International Federation and we then added the World Golf Championships that brought the best players from each of the tours together to compete alongside each other.

“All of that has worked well while issues such as the rules of golf, growing the game around the world and competition issues have all moved along positively.

“The communication between all of the tours is pretty solid and growing that working relationship, whether it be between the PGA Tour and the European Tour or the PGA Tour and the Asian Tour and so on, is very strong and positive.

“However, each tour has their own set of challenges and we are no different as we have to deal with and it means facing those challenges as we best see the challenge.

“There is not one business model out there that is the same as anyone else.

“And along with it being a lot of work, you have to invest and you have to spend money, and you have to also have to communicate with each of the tours.

“I am not displeased with our relationship with the other tours and, in fact, it is possibly the strongest it’s ever been.”