Ex-Red Sox skipper Terry Francona to be honorary chair of the US Senior Open in Newport
Terry Francona will be on Rhode Island’s coastline this summer.
The two-time World Series winning manager of the Boston Red Sox will be the honorary chair of the 44th U.S. Senior Open Championship, which will be held at Newport Country Club from June 26-30, the United States Golf Association announced on Monday.
Francona, 64, led the Red Sox to World Series titles against the St. Louis Cardinals and Colorado Rockies in 2004 and 2007. He retired from managing at the end of the 2023 season after 11 years with the Cleveland Guardians.
“As an avid golfer myself, I am honored to be selected as the honorary chair of this year’s U.S. Senior Open,” Francona said in the press release. “When I retired from baseball, one of the things that excited me the most was the opportunity to get on the golf course as often as possible. I’ve been a fan of the sport my whole life and have been lucky enough to form relationships with some of the players on the [PGA] Champions Tour. It will be nice to see some familiar faces while participating in this prestigious event.
“Having spent many happy and successful years in Boston, I know how much the New England community is golf crazy, particularly in the summer. I appreciate the revered place Newport Country Club holds in the history of golf as well as the beauty of the city of Newport.”
Francona, who recorded 1,950 victories in 23 seasons, is a three-time American League Manager of the Year (2013, 2016, 2022). Cleveland also reached the 2016 World Series under the longtime manager, eventually losing to the Chicago Cubs.
“Terry Francona is one of the most accomplished managers in Major League Baseball history and an avid golfer, who is a regular participant in charity events,” Hank Thompson, senior director of the U.S. Senior Open Championship, said in the release. “He will be an excellent ambassador for the U.S. Senior Open and help bring together Rhode Island and the New England region around this coveted national championship.”
Related: Some of the world's best golfers will be in Newport next summer, for the U.S. Senior Open
This is the fifth USGA championship to be held at Newport Country Club, the first since 2006, according to the release.
The 2020 edition of the tournament was supposed to be held in Newport, but was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For ticket information visit: USGA website.
jrousseau@providencejournal.com
On X: @ByJacobRousseau
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Francona to be honorary chair of the U.S. Senior Open Championship
