PROVO — Even before he hit the big time and won a couple of million dollars, Tony Finau had a strong feeling about giving back.

So even though he is just 25 years old and a rookie on the PGA Tour, Finau is starting the Tony Finau Foundation to help underprivileged kids achieve their goals.

“When we were young, we didn’t come from much money and needed a lot of help,’’ Finau said Friday at Riverside Country Club as he took a break in his schedule from the PGA Tour. “We feel like through this foundation we can help kids achieve any goal that they want. We’ve had visions of this for awhile and I’m grateful and feel blessed to be in the position that I’m in. There’s never a bad time to start.’’

The Foundation will have a two-day kickoff next month at Thanksgiving Point Golf Club in Lehi. On Sept. 29, there will be a luau and a silent auction featuring several items from professional athletes. Then on Sept. 30, a pro-am will be played and Finau will conduct a clinic along with local golfers from the PGA Tour —Daniel Summerhays, Zac Blair and Scott Pinckney — with a banquet to follow. The Foundation has several sponsors and is looking for more as well as golfers for the tournament.

"We want to empower kids and families to provide them with the funds, through education and golf, and through any sport,'' Finau said. "We want to work with the community and the Salt Lake area specifically. We feel like we can help a lot of kids with the resources that we have.''

Tony’s father, Gary, who will be the president of the foundation, said the family is happy to give back after receiving help from many people over the years when they lived in the Rose Park area and Tony and his brother, Gipper, got their start in golf.

“I always told my sons, ’Don’t forget where you came from,’’’ Gary Finau said. “I’m proud that Tony has the vision and the heart to know who he is and I’m grateful for him to be able to hold onto his values and to be able to give back.’’

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