Franco Chimenti, the visionary behind the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome, has passed away. Chimetti, 85, has been the president of the Federation of Italian Golf since 2002. Only two weeks ago, he was reelected again, which would’ve run through 2028. 

Per La Gazzetta dello Sport, Chimenti was working early this week on Monday. Even on Wednesday, he was on multiple calls for future decisions. Chimente also successfully battled pancreatic cancer.

Franco Chimenti was born on August 7, 1939, in Naples. In 1981, he was elected the vice president of the top-tier Italian soccer club, Lazio. Five years later, he also became the President of Lazio. Moreover, Chimenti also became the vice president of the CONI Servizi SpA in 2013. In 2021, CONI (Italian Olympics Committee) awarded him the Collare d’Oro al Merito Sportivo, the highest sports honor in the country. 

Academic by profession, Chimeetti was also the dean of the Faculty of Pharmacology at the University of La Sapienza. Aside from that, he was also a member of the New York Academy of Sciences. But his legacy will be celebrated for his work in Italian golf.

The 2023 Ryder Cup in Marco Simone generated €262 million (roughly US $282 million). Under Chimenti, the investment in golf grew multifold. It was under his stewardship that stars like Matteo Manassero, Francesco Molinari, and Eduardo Molinari rose to prominence. The golf world mourned in unison for his work. 

Tommy Fleetwood & Co. mourn the loss of Franco Chimenti

Tommy Fleetwood, sharing the Italian Golf Federation’s post, wrote, “Rest in peace, Presidente Chimenti. Our thoughts are with the family. A very sad loss.” Eduardo Molinari also shared his thoughts after the news was posted. Molinari and Chimenti shared a close bond. 

The veteran president hailed Luke Donald’s move to retain Molinari as the assistant captain for the 2025 Ryder Cup. At that time, Franco Chimenti said, “This is a response to those who thought naming Italians was a sop to us last year.” Molinari wrote in Italian, “Goodbye Franco, thanks for everything.”

His brother, Francesco Molinari, wrote, “Condolences to the whole family; goodbye, President.” Notably, six years ago, the 41-year-old Italian golf icon was picked as the number one athlete of his county in 2018 and received the Collare d’Oro al Merito Sportivo award. In the afternoon, Chimenti hosted an event in Molinari’s honor. The first thing he did was to award him a silver plate.

Another notable Italian star, who has been in resurgent form, Matteo Manassero, left a note on his Instagram story. “You have always made me feel your support throughout my career, both in the good and bad times. I remember the phone calls full of optimism and encouragement. Thank you, Pres. I will keep it a wonderful memory.” Chimenti accompanied Manassero during his first pre-tournament press conference as a professional during the 2010 BMW Italian Open. 

On the Italian Golf Federation’s website, it is mentioned that the funeral will be held on Saturday at 2.30 PM local time at the Church of San Roberto Bellarmino. Before that, a funeral chapel will be open on October 4 (Friday) from 1 pm to 6 pm, and again on Saturday, 9 am-12 pm in the Salone d’Onore del CONI.