Patrick Finlen, CGCS – Executive Vice President
Pat Finlen is a prominent leader in the club industry with 40 years of experience in golf operations and private club operations. For over three decades, he has managed exclusive private clubs in various leadership capacities, mastering the core disciplines of Club Management including Agronomy, Golf operations and Club Management, a rare accomplishment only a small group of Club Managers have achieved.
Pat’s professional background includes ascending through the ranks at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, California, one of America’s most iconic clubs with a premier city club and top 100 golf course. During his tenure from 2002 until 2019, Pat served as the Club’s Director of Golf Course Maintenance Operations, Director of Golf, and was named General Manager in 2013. Under Pat’s professional guidance, the Club hosted the US Junior Amateur, US Amateur, US Open & US Four Ball Championships. He also negotiated the contracts for the 2023 US Woman’s Open, The 2028 PGA Championship, and the 2032 Ryder Cup for the Club. Prior to The Olympic Club, Pat was a Golf Course Superintendent from 1984 – 2002 in Kansas City, Virginia Beach, and Monterey, California. Most recently, he was the General Manager at Winchester Country Club, an exclusive golf course and residential community near Auburn, California where he was involved in building homes within Winchester.
Pat has served on the Board of Directors of The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the professional association that provides education, information and representation to more than 18,000 members, from 2006-2014 and was the organization’s President in 2013. Throughout his career, Pat has spoken on Club Management throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe.
Pat is a native of Washington D.C. and a graduate of Rockhurst College in Kansas City with a degree in Business Administration.
Leveraging his diverse skillset in Hospitality, Turf Science, Golf Operations and Club Management, Pat will lead executive search opportunities for the Firm nationwide with a regional focus on the West Coast as well as support Club Thinking Partner’s range of consulting projects. Pat will also be available for editorial development and education programs.