Finsterwald & Wright Inducted into Texas Golf Hall of Fame
The first of two 2020 Hall Inductees in the Golf Professional/Teacher category is Mike Wright. At just 23 years old, Mike Wright was appointed as the Head Golf Professional at Shady Oaks, a Hall of Fame course. He had the unwavering support and emphatic endorsement of Ben Hogan. Now as the Shady Oaks Director of Golf, Mike has served the club for 36 years. Eleven of Mike’s assistants have been promoted to Head Professionals/General Manager positions. He cofounded the Ben Hogan Foundation, which has awarded over $835,000 in scholarships to deserving students and children of soldiers and is now breaking ground on a new learning center. Mike has received the highest honors as a merchandiser, teacher, and player. As an instructor, he has an enviable reputation from both the professional and amateur rank. He counts Angela Stanford, Gerina Piller, Chad Campbell, and Mark Brooks among his students. He has been a thoughtful, graceful representative of Ben Hogan’s legacy and his service to the PGA of America at both the section and national levels is admirable.
The second of two 2020 Hall Inductees in the Golf Professional/Teacher category is Dow Finsterwald, Jr. Finsterwald Jr. is the son of PGA Champion Dow Finsterwald Sr., who won 11 2315 Avenue B, San Antonio, Texas 78215 P: 210.225.3520 F: 210.228.0353 www.texasgolfhof.org PGA Titles and played on four Ryder Cup teams. Dow Jr. grew up working for his father at the Broadmoor Country Club caddying, working the driving range, and helping guests. After graduating from Arizona State in 1981, Dow was hired by Oak Tree Country Club in Oklahoma City as an Assistant Golf Professional. In 1987, his life changed dramatically when he was hired by Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas as its Head Golf Professional. Dow Jr. has been the host of 33 PGA TOUR events and a Women’s U.S. Open. He has won the Metro Chapter Championship (1990) and the Club Pro Championship (1991); he’s played in four Joe Black Cup Matches and has qualified for the Byron Nelson Championship and Colonial National Invitationals. Daily, Dow Jr. keeps busy with the 700 golf members at Colonial Country Club. Dow and his wife Mary Lou have two children, Dow the third and Katy, and two grandchildren.
This will be the Texas Golf Hall of Fame’s eleventh class to be inducted since the Hall’s reconstitution in 2009. Public nominations made online were voted on by living Hall members, the Texas Golf Hall of Fame Board of Directors, and designated Texas golf media members. The Induction Dinner will take place at the historic Houston Country Club on Tuesday, October 6th. For tickets and sponsorship information please visit www.texasgolfhof.org/donate.
