Jimmy Dunne III is a power broker deluxe in both the world of finance and golf.
He’s the man who’s getting us all into ritzy, exclusive Seminole Golf Club on Sunday, May 17 to watch what looks like a mismatch on paper — Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson taking on Oklahoma Staters Rickie Fowler and young Matt Wolff.
He’s the man who got live golf on television before Turner Sports could even throw out a date and time for the old Tiger Woods-Phil Mickelson-Tom Brady-Peyton Manning deal at a yet-to-be-named site. Wherever it lands, it will be a letdown after getting to see historic Seminole up close and personal.
Seems like I’ve driven past the entrance to Seminole no less than 100 times over the past 20 years yet never have I laid eyes on what is considered perhaps the greatest work of architectural art by the esteemed Donald Ross.
Jimmy’s getting us past the guard at the gate thanks to NBC Sports on site to bring us this charity fundraiser. Dunne used his influence to bring TaylorMade in as a sponsor. United Health Care is staking $3 million with Farmers Insurance (thanks Rickie), putting $1 million in a pool for birdies and eagles to benefit healthcare workers. Rory and D.J.’s winnings will go to the American Nurses Foundation while the CDC Foundation will be the recipient of winnings from the OSU kids (Rickie and Matt).
Which brings us back to Squire Dunne. His story is fascinating. He was a senior partner at the Wall Street firm, Sandler O’Neill and Partners in New York City. Their headquarters was Tower 2 e of the Twin Towers buildings in New York. Seventeen years ago Dunne was playing so much golf—and so well—that he chose to try and qualify for the U.S. Mid-Amateur. He had planned to qualify on September 10 but long-time friend and fellow partner at the firm, Chris Quackenbush urged him to qualify on Monday (September 11) at Bedford Golf and Tennis Club, just north of the city. Herman Sandler, one of the firm’s founders, told Dunne to just go out and focus on golf — don’t call the office.
What happened that morning will remain with all of us the rest of our lives but none of us were hit the way Jimmy was. Sandler O’Neill had 171 employees working on the 104th floor of Tower 2, the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Eighty three of them came to the office on 9/11. Sixty six of them perished, including Quackenbush and Sandler. Had Dunne not changed his plans from Sunday to Monday, he could well have died with them.
Dunne raced back to the city and saw the horror first-hand. In the days that followed, there was grief and disbelief. What Dunne faced was a task that seemed virtually impossible. He set out to rebuild an investment banking company that had lost nearly every trace of its financial records, many of its partners and an overwhelming number of people who formed the firm’s intellectual capital. All the computers were gone along with contacts, phone numbers — everything.
Today the firm is flourishing with Dunne at the helm as Senior Managing Principal. He’s also the President at Seminole. He’s also a member at Augusta National, Shinnecock Hills, Pine Valley and Cypress Point, among others. He may be in violation of the USGA’s 14-club rule.
His influence is like no other. His contacts include PGA Tour stars and A-listers from all over the world. He got NFL great Tom Brady approved for membership into Seminole, a club that has shunned celebrity applicants over the years.
So considering all that Dunne has accomplished in his life, this little television fundraiser was most likely a piece of cake.
He’s a player too. Did we mention he holds the course record at Shinnecock? Sixty-three.
How would one describe Dunne? We’ll leave that to Tom Brady:
“He’s a guy who is really comfortable in his own skin. He says what he thinks, means what he says and is very endearing. He can be tough, but he’s incredibly warm. I think for Jimmy, the harder something is to accomplish the harder he works at it. It’s the hallmark of a great leader to hunker down and work harder than anyone else.”
And while we’re at it, I’m thinking about writing Jimmy a “thank-you” note for getting us all a first-hand look at Seminole on Sunday the 17th.
This will have to suffice.
Thanks Jimmy!
