Patrick Finlen, CGCS – Executive Vice President

Pat Finlen is a prominent leader in the club industry with 40 years of experience in golf and private club operations. Over the past three decades, he has managed exclusive private clubs in various leadership capacities, mastering core disciplines including Agronomy, Golf Operations, and Club Management—a rare accomplishment achieved by only a small group of Club Managers.

Pat’s career includes his tenure at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, California, one of America’s most iconic clubs with a premier city club and a top 100 golf course. From 2002 to 2019, he served as the Club’s Director of Golf Course Maintenance Operations and Director of Golf, later being named General Manager in 2013. Under Pat’s guidance, the Club hosted several prestigious events, including the U.S. Junior Amateur, U.S. Amateur, U.S. Open, and U.S. Four-Ball Championships. He also negotiated contracts for the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open, the 2028 PGA Championship, and the 2032 Ryder Cup. Before The Olympic Club, Pat was a Golf Course Superintendent from 1984 to 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 residential development.

Throughout his career, Pat has made substantial contributions to the golf industry. His accomplishments include serving as GCSAA’s President and being a valuable member on 29 different GCSAA committees. He also served as the president of three different GCSAA-affiliated chapters and was named chapter superintendent of the year twice—first in 1996 by the Heart of America Golf Course Superintendents Association and again in 2004 by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Northern California.

In October 2024, Pat was named the recipient of the association’s 2025 Col. John Morley Award. This prestigious award, named after GCSAA’s founder, was elevated to the pinnacle level of the GCSAA. The award is presented annually to a superintendent who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of the golf course superintendent’s profession. Pat’s recognition further highlights his outstanding contributions to the field.

As Executive Vice President at CTP, Pat specializes in executive search for Golf Course Superintendents, General Managers, and other club leadership roles. He also offers consulting services on effective turf management, emphasizing operational health and leadership to maximize efficiency.