SAN DIEGO — The California construction industry law firm of Finch, Thornton & Baird, LLP is excited to announce it is sponsoring Ryan Alford as he makes his PGA Tour debut at the Farmers Insurance Open next week.
“It is my pleasure to share with you the firm’s sponsorship of Ryan Alford and our part in helping him fulfill his dreams,” said managing partner, Randy Finch, in his announcement to the firm. We all stand behind Ryan as he embraces this exciting moment in his young career.
Firm partner Dan Scholz jumped at the chance to play a practice round with Ryan on Media Day. Mr. Scholz carded a very respectable 75 for the day we might add.
Here’s how PRNewswire reported the news.
Dec. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Farmers Insurance Open® tournament officials from the Century Club of San Diego today announced that two multi-event winners on the APGA Tour, Ryan Alford and Kamaiu Johnson, have each been awarded with exemptions to play in the 2022 Farmers Insurance Open, scheduled to take place Wednesday-Saturday, January 26-29, 2022. This will be Alford’s first career start on the PGA TOUR as Johnson returns to Torrey Pines Golf Course after unexpectedly having to withdraw from the tournament in 2021.
The exemptions support Farmers® ongoing commitment to the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour and its work to grow diversity in golf. Helping to remove the financial burden associated with the game and providing playing opportunities are top priorities for both Farmers and the APGA. The organizations are also focused on ensuring players have access to the tools and support they need, allowing them to better focus on their career path and development in the game.
“We are honored to play a role in the incredible advancement of the APGA Tour. It continues to create further diversity in the game and assist with the growth of the APGA Tour players inside the ropes as well,” said Marty Gorsich, CEO of the Farmers Insurance Open. “Both Ryan Alford and Kamaiu Johnson have their own stories of perseverance, and each has shown they can compete and win on the APGA Tour this season. Ryan has enjoyed tremendous success with two victories on the APGA Tour this season and we felt Johnson deserved his chance to return and finish what he wasn’t able to start in January 2021. Not only are they great golfers on the course, but they also both give back and work to grow the sport in the communities where they learned the game.”
Alford, 25, grew up learning the game with his father and through First Tee Northwest Louisiana in Shreveport, LA, eventually representing the chapter at the Pure Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee in 2011. He was a standout player at Louisiana Tech University and on the APGA Tour. During the 2021 season, Alford had back-to-back victories at TPC Scottsdale and Valhalla Golf Club. He also finished runner-up in the final event of the APGA Farmers Insurance Fall Series at Wilshire Country Club in Los Angeles. Alford was a teammate of PGA TOUR standout Sam Burns at Calvary Baptist Academy where he was part of a string of five consecutive Louisiana state championship titles.
“Every competitive golfer dreams of someday playing on the PGA TOUR,” said Alford. “It’s amazing what Farmers and the APGA Tour are doing to help all of us on the APGA Tour make our dreams a reality. I am excited to test my abilities against the best in the world, to represent the other past and current players on the APGA Tour while also representing the work of so many who have supported me, especially my family.”
