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It seems Tony Finau's annual charity event this week has been overshadowed by some unfortunate protests. According to reports, a group assembled outside Oakridge Country Club on Monday bearing signs alleging that Finau has failed to repay loans and financial support from family/associates that helped launch his professional golf career.  

Professional golfer Tony Finau arrives and looks at a group of protesters gathered at Oakridge Country Club in Farmington Monday, July 29, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Event organizer Rocky Bowlby claims Finau owes him over $100,000 for various expenses over the years. But the more substantial lawsuit comes from Molonai Hola, a former college teammate of Finau who alleges shelling out hundreds of thousands to back the brothers' golf ambitions on the promise of repayment and a cut of future earnings. 

"This is all about awareness," said Bowlby, who claims he's owed over $100K by Finau and family. 

Word on the street is this beef with Rocky and Molonai goes way back - we're talking pre-PGA Tour days when Tony was just a hustlin' kid from Salt Lake trying to make it in the big leagues. That's when these guys say they stepped up to support his dreams, handing over cash for everything from travel and gear to simply living expenses while he tried to grind it out on mini tours.

But now Tony's livin' the high life as one of the top earners on the PGA with over $55 mil in career money. And apparently these early backers are still waiting to collect what they feel they're owed. Molonai's lawsuit is the biggie - he claims financing Tony and brother Gipper from 2006 to 2009 and wants paid what he was promised plus 20% of Tony's tour earnings forever and ever, amen! We're talking potential millions more. Hola filed a lawsuit in 2020 seeking over $600,000 for financing Tony and Gipper Finau.

Finau did not acknowledge the protesters as he arrived for his foundation activities. A spokesperson for his management declined to comment on the matter as well. You have to wonder how welcoming this reception was for Tony, who prides himself on community roots in Utah.

The signs demanded repayment of debts to family, Bowlby, and "Uncle Toa." The signs messages such as “Keep Your Word” and “Tony Pay Your Debts” and “Tony Pay Your Family Back” and “Tony Don’t Forget Uncle Toa.” 

Candace Peterson, Andrew Hola, Ed Peterson, Tyler Peterson and other protesters gather at Oakridge Country Club in Farmington to demonstrate against professional golfer Tony Finau on Monday, July 29, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Now the big fight is heading to an eight day trial begin in September 2024. There had been talk of an out-of-court settlement but those discussions appear to have broken down, so the case will likely go to trial.

On July 22, Judge Brady held a summary judgment review via teleconference between attorneys for both sides regarding one aspect of the case. That aspect relates to Hola's claim of "unjust enrichment", specifically whether he deserves a percentage of Finau's career earnings in perpetuity, which could amount to millions or tens of millions.

Security member David Swanson gestures after he and Rocky Bowlby (back) had a few words as Bowlby and a few other protesters gathered at Oakridge Country Club in Farmington to demonstrate against professional golfer Tony Finau on Monday, July 29, 2024. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News 

A second related lawsuit by developer David Hunter against Finau/family was dismissed in 2022 by the district court citing statute of limitations on the breach of contract claim. Hunter appealed but the appeal was dismissed in February 2022 by the Utah Court of Appeals. The Utah Supreme Court then declined to hear the case on May 6, effectively ending Hunter's lawsuit.

At its heart, this is a reminder of the financial risks that often come with believing in an athlete's potential and supporting their dreams. It will be up to the courts to determine what, if any, debts are legitimately owed after all this time. In the meantime, it remains a unfortunate blemish on what is supposed to be a celebration of Finau giving back through golf. We'll have to see if this story continues to follow Tony as the trials move forward.

This has been Emily with the latest from the pro golf world. Even the biggest names can hit some rough patches - we'll keep tracking how Finau navigates this one.

References: https://www.deseret.com/sports/2024/07/29/protesters-stage-event-at-tony-finau-foundation-event/