Finau, Summerhays’ Families Share Relationship That Goes Much Deeper Than Golf
Jan 21, 2021, 11:44 AM | Updated: 12:30 pm
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – PGA Tour professional Tony Finau has found a new family bond through his love for golf. Boyd Summerhays, who currently acts as Finau’s swing coach, spends more time with Finau than most. Which has brought the two and their families together to create one large, golf loving family.
The Cut, a PGA Tour TV Program, recently documented the relationship between player-coach and how their families have benefited the lasting connection created.
Shortly following Summerhays’ 11 year PGA Tour career, in which he won over 20 events across multiple Tours, he immediately jumped into his current role of coach.
It was shortly after his playing career when Finau reached out to Summerhays to further ask about his potential desire to coach him. Summerhays, to no surprise, obliged.
That relationship has flourished over the years. Finau has continued to make strides on the PGA Tour and has been involved and in contention throughout the worlds largest golfing events.
The relationship between Finau and Summerhays stretches more than just a standard player-coach relationship. The families of both parties spend a tremendous amount of time with one and other both on the golf course and off. Finau is now known by the Summerhays family as “Uncle T.”
It started as a player-coach connection for @TonyFinaugolf and @Summerhaysgolf.
Now it’s family. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/wc2hzsrfbC
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 20, 2021
Finau has a young family, his oldest Jraice is beginning to find a love for the game of golf. While Summerhays’ has three children, Preston, Grace, and Cameron. Preston recently committed to Arizona State University and is known as one of the best amateur golfers in the world, Grace is a few years younger than Preston but has won multiple tournaments and has a very bright future ahead. Cameron is of similar age of Jraice, the two are entering the world of golf and both have a very pure and nostalgic golf swing.
“Preston was 9 when I first met him and we probably started playing golf together when he was about 11,” Finau said on The Cut. “It is extremely competitive anytime Preston and I get together. We are playing a game right out of the gate, right off the first tee,” he added.
The family bond between the two parties goes beyond the golf course. The two spend an enormous amount of time working out together, eating with one and other and sharing life’s experiences.
“Playing with Tony has been so good for me because he is so much better than me,” Preston said. “I mean he is a top tour pro, so I always have something to chase. Long term I want to play on the PGA Tour, I want to be a tour pro and I want to win tournaments,” Preston concluded.
Attempting to master the game of golf is a challenge and addiction that requires incredible concentration and perseverance. Preston was guided by Finau from a young age. Preston is now helping guide Cameron and Jraice as they begin their own golfing journeys.
“It has come full circle, no question about it,” Finau said. “I try to assist and just support Preston, Grace, and Cam. They do the same thing with my son. They take him under there wing and they go play golf.”
Nowadays, the two families split their time in Utah and Arizona. During the summer, they can be found in the mountainous landscape of Utah but when the weather turns and the snow starts to fall they immediately retreat to the dry dessert air of Arizona to further perfect their crafts.