Paul Azinger

Guest Speaker

Paul Azinger is one of the most familiar faces in golf, and not just because he had a hugely successful playing career. The Major champion has also had a distinguished broadcasting career that’s set to continue with his recent move to the Golf Channel as its lead analyst for the PGA Tour Champions. Paul won 12 times on the PGA TOUR, including the 1993 PGA Championship, and won twice on the European Tour as well. He spent almost 300 weeks in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings from 1988 to 1994.

Paul is probably best remembered for the passion and intensity he brought to the Ryder Cup. Paul beat Jose Maria Olazabal in singles in the 1991 Ryder Cup, a key point in the Americans’ win. In 2008, his Ryder Cup experience came full-circle when he captained Team USA to a relatively easy victory, the only USA win during a 12-year stretch from 2002 through 2014.

Paul completed his collegiate career at Florida State University in 1981, where he later would be inducted into the Seminoles’ Hall of Fame. Following graduation, it took Azinger only a few years to make his presence felt on the PGA Tour. In 1987, Paul truly established himself as one of the world’s best players. He won three times that year, posted nine Top 10s, and was second on the money list, eventually winning the PGA of America's Player of the Year Award.

Azinger won at least once in seven consecutive PGA Tour Seasons from 1987 through 1993, he won three times, finished second or third seven more times, and was again second on the money list. After several close calls, Azinger finally got a major championship victory at the 1993 PGA Championship at Inverness Club in Ohio, defeating Greg Norman in a playoff.

In December 1993, Paul was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in his right shoulder. He wrote a book called Zinger about his battle with the disease. Paul was the recipient of GWAA Ben Hogan Award in 1995, given to the individual who has continued to be active in golf despite physical handicap or serious illness.

Paul and his wife Toni met at FSU and have been married since 1982. The have two daughters, Sarah and Josie, and currently live in Bradenton, Florida.

Long-time Tampa resident Gary Koch, the 2023 Payne Stewart Award recipient in acknowledgment of his character, charity, and sportsmanship, enjoyed a distinguished career as a PGA Tour professional and golf broadcaster. As Chairman of the First Tee – Tampa Bay Board of Directors, Koch, along with his good friend and fellow golf course architect Steve Smyers, oversaw the design and building of the Short Course at Rogers Park in 2023. Before turning professional, Gary won the Florida Open at age 16, and then the next year he claimed the USGA Jr. Amateur title. Gary attended the University of Florida, where he was a three-time first team All-American and a member of the Gators’ 1973 NCAA Championship team.

Gary’s professional playing career began in 1975, and over the next fifteen years, he won six tournaments on the PGA Tour. In 2002, Gary started competing on the PGA Champions Tour, eventually ending up with two runner-up finishes to his credit. In 2024, at age 71, Gary became the oldest qualifier to ever play in the US Senior Open Championship. He began his broadcasting career in 1990 with ESPN working PGA Champions Tour telecasts. Gary joined NBC Sports as a part of their announcing team in 1997 before retiring in 2022. He is perhaps best known for his “Better Than Most” call of Tiger Woods’ long downhill, double-breaking putt for birdie on the famous island green, #17 at the TPC Sawgrass, in the third round of the 2001 Players Championship.

Gary is an enthusiastic advocate for junior golf around the country and has been involved with First Tee - Tampa Bay for more than two decades. The Gary and Donna Koch Family Foundation has raised more than $400,000 over the years for college scholarships to deserving students in the Tampa area. Gary is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors for First Tee - Tampa Bay. Gary and his wife Donna have two daughters and three grandchildren while continuing to call Tampa home.