Mario Pinzi, special advisor to the organising committee of the Telecom Italia Open, passed away on Sunday February 25.
As founder and owner of Promomax, a Rome based sports promotion company, Mario was co-ordinator and promoter of the Italian Golf Championship from 1974 and throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Indeed, his significant contribution to the tournament over the decades was recognised by the Italian Golf Federation in 2002 when he was presented with the Peter Dobereiner Award by IGF president Franco Chimenti (pictured left).
In recent years he had acted as a consultant to the organising committee of the Italian Open. This committee, chaired by Donato di Ponziano represents a partnership between the Italian Golf Federation and The European Tour.
George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “This is very sad news. Mario was hugely respected by everyone connected with the Tour; players, staff, media and also, most importantly, our sponsors with whom he forged long lasting relationships.
“He contributed so much to the growth of not only the Italian Open but also golf in Italy. He will be sorely missed and we extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Maria Letizia and his family.”
The funeral was held on Wednesday February 28 at 10.00am in the Santa Maria di Galeria, Rome.
