Mourning in the world of golf: the historic president Franco Chimenti dies. Social media is filled with messages of condolence
The world of Italian sport mourns the passing of Franco Chimentihistoric president of the Italian Golf Federation (FIG), who passed away at the age of 85. Neapolitan by birth, but Roman by adoption, Chimenti has left an indelible mark on the Italian sporting scene, with a career as a manager that has spanned decades, marked by passion, commitment and success.
Franco Chimenti had just begun his seventh term at the helm of Federgolf, reconfirmed as president on 16 September. It was a special mandate, which should have been the last, but which will not see its premature conclusion. He should have led the federation until the age of 89, but fate decided differently, shutting him down at the peak of a life lived intensely between sport, academics and social commitment.
Chimenti was not just a successful executive. A man of great culture, he was dean of the Faculty of Pharmacology at La Sapienza University of Rome and an academic of international standing, member of the New York Academy of Sciences and of the Academy of Medical Biological Sciences.
His love for sport led him to hold key roles in the Italian National Olympic Committee, becoming deputy vice-president in 2013, and subsequently president of CONI Servizi. The president of CONI Young Malagò remembers him with respect and affection:
«We have shared and faced together, from the first moment, many challenges in the name of a common passion for sport. Hello, Franco. And thank you for everything”
Franco Chimenti was also an enthusiast football manager, with a brief stint at the helm of Lazio. In 1986, after having been vice-president of the Capitoline team for five years, he became president. A quick but significant transition, which confirmed his love for sport in all its forms.
His true great passion, however, was golf. At the helm of the Italian Golf Federation for 22 years, Chimenti was the main architect of the success of this sport in Italy. He has actively worked to emerge from the status of a discipline for the few and bring it to the attention of the general public. His greatest commitment was undoubtedly the organization of Ryder Cup 2023a historic event which saw Italy host the most important golf competition in the world for the first time.
Chimenti’s commitment was also recognized with the country’s highest sporting honor: in 2021, in fact, he was awarded the Golden Collar of Sports Meritan award that sealed a career dedicated to the sport and promotion of golf in Italy.
Despite his advanced age, Franco Chimenti continued to look to the future with enthusiasm and vision:
“It’s my last term, that’s a given. Now let’s all move forward together for the sport I love: golf.”
With his passing, Italy loses a visionary leader, a man who helped shape the future of Italian sport, and a symbol of passion and determination
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