Tony Finau Parents

Last Modified Jan 15, 2025 17:49 GMT
Tony Finau with his mother. Source: Instagram/@tonyfinaugolf

Tony Finau (birth name: Milton Pouha "Tony" Finau), born in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a professional golfer from the United States. Finau has won the PGA Tour six times and the Korn Ferry Tour once, as of January 2025. Before turning pro in 2007, he secured the Utah State Amateur Championship in 2006.

Who are Tony Finau's parents?

Tony Finau was born to his parents, Kelepi Finau and Ravena Finau, on September 14, 1989, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Finau, while speaking to Samoaobserver.ws in 2019, said “Being around a lot of Polynesians all the time, I learned to show respect to my elders and that’s something I always carry with me.” He was raised with four brothers and two sisters. Gipper Finau is the brother with whom Tony played golf during childhood, as per Heavy.com.

Who is Tony Finau's mother?

Tony Finau visited American Samoa in 2009 and 2010 with his mom, Ravena, who took him to her village to connect with their legacy, as revealed by Golfweek.USAtoday in 2023. Ravena believed golf would get her kids far from the gangs that plagued their community. Finau's father credited Ravena for choosing golf for their children, telling PGA.com in 2016, “This is her project. I feel like mothers and wives are smart when it comes to this kind of thing. Otherwise, I would’ve had them playing football.”

Ravena played a huge part in Finau's initial golf development. As per Golf Channel, she made sacrifices like sleeping in her car with Tony during a PGA Junior Series in Milwaukee, as they couldn't manage the cost of a hotel. With limited cash, Ravena went without food for three days, so her son could eat. Finau has shared that green was his mom's favorite color, which he wore during his first Masters appearance. He dedicated his first PGA win to her.

Ravena died in a car accident in 2011, as detailed by Finau in a 2015 Golf Digest article. According to Golfweek.USA Today, Kelepi believed that Finau would have reached the PGA Tour considerably earlier if his mother had not passed away. Tony Finau was scheduled to speak at her funeral, but he was too emotional to deliver his speech.

Who is Tony Finau's father?

Finau's father, Kelepi (right), with Michael Jordan. Source: @tonyfinaugolf

As per Golf Channel, Kelepi immigrated to the US as a 12-year-old and met Ravena, when he was 23. Rugby was his initial game of choice, and he spoke no English after arriving. After some time, he transitioned to basketball and football, however, golf was completely new to him. When Gipper expressed interest in playing golf, Kelepi recognized the financial challenge it posed and became creative in making it feasible. He bought used equipment and changed their garage into an improvised practice area.

To show his children the basics of golf, Kelepi acquired educational books and tapes from the library, highlighting players like Billy Casper and Johnny Miller. He likewise instilled key lessons about golf being a less competitive space, often tying these lessons to real-life examples. As reported by Golfweek.USA Today, he enforced three important guidelines for his children: listen, be serious, and never quit. Kelepi dedicated significant time beyond his late night shifts at Delta Carriers, even on a limited budget, to help Tony and Gipper's golfing aspirations. He took them to Miami to compete in the Doral Publix International Junior Championship, where they faced top junior golf players around the world.

Tony expressed his gratitude, saying, “My dad gave me just about every ounce of time outside of work to get me to where I am today,” as reported by Golfweek.USA Today in 2023. Kelepi remarried in 2014 and has three kids from his second marriage, including Jonathan Finau. In acknowledgment of his dedication, Kelepi was named Golfweek's Father of the Year in 2023.

Similar Pages

Jason Day
Jason Day Image
Jason Day
Parents
Charley Hull
Charley Hull Image
Charley Hull
Parents
Sepp Straka
Sepp Straka Image
Sepp Straka
Parents
Nick Taylor
Nick Taylor Image
Nick Taylor
Parents
Hideki Matsuyama
Hideki Matsuyama Image
Hideki Matsuyama
Parents
Matt Fitzpatrick
Matt Fitzpatrick Image
Matt Fitzpatrick
Parents
Tommy Fleetwood
Tommy Fleetwood Image
Tommy Fleetwood
Parents
Xander Schauffele
Xander Schauffele Image
Xander Schauffele
Parents
Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler Image
Scottie Scheffler
Parents
Collin Morikawa
Collin Morikawa Image
Collin Morikawa
Parents
Sahith Theegala
Sahith Theegala Image
Sahith Theegala
Parents
Paige Spiranac
Paige Spiranac Image
Paige Spiranac
Parents
Brooks Koepka
Brooks Koepka Image
Brooks Koepka
Parents
Will Zalatoris
Will Zalatoris Image
Will Zalatoris
Parents
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods Image
Tiger Woods
Family

FAQs on Tony Finau’s Parents

A. Tony Finau's mother died in a car accident in 2011, based on Heavy.com. 

A. Tony Finau is of Samoan, Tongan, and American descent, based on coconet.tv.

A. Tony Finau is Christian, based on his Instagram bio. 

A. Tony Finau's wife Alayna Finau is Polynesian, as per People.com.  

A. Tony Finau holds the nationality of the United States. 

Related Stories

"Lesson was learned the hard way," Tiger Woods reflects on Jupiter Links' strong performance in their second TGL outing "Lesson was learned the hard way," Tiger Woods reflects on Jupiter Links' strong performance in their second TGL outing
"Lesson was learned the hard way," Tiger Woods reflects on Jupiter Links' strong performance in their second TGL outing
"Shrink the game instead", "Sound like golf growers": Fans react to Rory McIlroy's new partnership deal "Shrink the game instead", "Sound like golf growers": Fans react to Rory McIlroy's new partnership deal
"Shrink the game instead", "Sound like golf growers": Fans react to Rory McIlroy's new partnership deal
Collin Morikawa pledges $1,000 per birdie to rebuild LA after ‘heartbreaking’ fire disaster Collin Morikawa pledges $1,000 per birdie to rebuild LA after ‘heartbreaking’ fire disaster
Collin Morikawa pledges $1,000 per birdie to rebuild LA after ‘heartbreaking’ fire disaster
18h
TGL viewership increases by week 4, remains low compared to Tiger Woods' debut watched by 1.5M TGL viewership increases by week 4, remains low compared to Tiger Woods' debut watched by 1.5M
TGL viewership increases by week 4, remains low compared to Tiger Woods' debut watched by 1.5M
"There are super slow players out there" - Michael S Kim gets candid about slow play on PGA Tour "There are super slow players out there" - Michael S Kim gets candid about slow play on PGA Tour
"There are super slow players out there" - Michael S Kim gets candid about slow play on PGA Tour
1d
“You get bonus points if you fall asleep in class” – LPGA star Rose Zhang shares about ‘sleep and dreams class’ at Stanford “You get bonus points if you fall asleep in class” – LPGA star Rose Zhang shares about ‘sleep and dreams class’ at Stanford
“You get bonus points if you fall asleep in class” – LPGA star Rose Zhang shares about ‘sleep and dreams class’ at Stanford
19h
Golf Insider jokingly tells Nelly Korda where he wants the new Qi35 driver tattooed: "I feel like right cheek" Golf Insider jokingly tells Nelly Korda where he wants the new Qi35 driver tattooed: "I feel like right cheek"
Golf Insider jokingly tells Nelly Korda where he wants the new Qi35 driver tattooed: "I feel like right cheek"
1d
Rory McIlroy reveals he had concerns with TGL simulator accuracy Rory McIlroy reveals he had concerns with TGL simulator accuracy
Rory McIlroy reveals he had concerns with TGL simulator accuracy
1d
Charley Hull dons all black as she posts latest video from her “drills” Charley Hull dons all black as she posts latest video from her “drills”
Charley Hull dons all black as she posts latest video from her “drills”
1d
"Decent shot", "Still won’t win a major this year": Fans react to Rory McIlroy's ace at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am "Decent shot", "Still won’t win a major this year": Fans react to Rory McIlroy's ace at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
"Decent shot", "Still won’t win a major this year": Fans react to Rory McIlroy's ace at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
9h
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications