1 – Where are you originally from? If not from Idaho, what brought you here?
Tim is from Michigan originally and came to Idaho for work. Julie was born and raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
2 – What is/was your career occupation?
Tim was an operations engineer and manager at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Julie was a supervisor for the Department of Energy overseeing operations of the contractors at the INL.
3 – What is it about the game of golf that you love so much?
Julie loves the friendly competition and friendships she has made through leagues and tournaments. Tim loves challenging himself on every shot. Every shot is different depending on the courses being played.
Julie and Tim Finup enjoy the chance to be spectators at the RBC Heritage at Harbor Town Golf Links in South Carolina.
4 – What made you want to volunteer for the IGA?
The head pro at Pinecrest GC recommended it to us as a good retirement activity that would allow us to see all the courses around Idaho. Also, a friend at our country club does Course Rating and said it was really good in helping one understand the game better. When did you start? We started doing course ratings and helping with scoring at tournaments in 2022.
5 – What do you hope to get out of volunteering for the IGA? What motivates you to keep coming back?
A better understanding of how golf course conditions play into the handicapping system and playability of the course. It’s fun to work with the other volunteers and play new courses that we haven’t played before.
6 – What has been your favorite memory from volunteering for the IGA?
There are too many to pick just one. It has been interesting to hear all the different perspectives on how a hole should be rated. Playing golf and validating our assumptions has been an eye-opener.
7 – What would you say to someone who is thinking about volunteering?
DO IT, volunteering is very rewarding, and being able to learn and do something you love together is a plus.
8 – What is your fondest memory on the golf course?
For Julie, it was the hole-in-one she made at Sage Lakes GC in Idaho Falls. For Tim, it’s the feel of a really good golf shot.
9 – When were you introduced to the sport? By who?
For Julie, she was introduced by Tim after they got married in 1992. Tim was introduced to the sport in his freshman year (1980) of college by a friend.
10 – What is your home club? How often do you play?
Our home club is the Idaho Falls CC. Julie plays four to five times a week in different leagues in Idaho. Tim plays two to three times a week during the summer months in Idaho, and we take several golf trips during the fall and winter months.
11 – What's something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?
Neither one of us likes to be around big groups of people, but golf is the exception.
12 – Who would be a part of your dream foursome to play a round of golf with?
For Julie, it would be Annika Sörenstam, Julie Inkster, Lexi Thompson and herself. For Tim, it would be Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Bryson Dechambeau and himself.
13 - What has been your favorite golf course that you have played?
We both really enjoyed playing Glen Eagles in Scotland, with Kingsbarns GC being a close second. In the States, we would have to say Firestone CC.
14 – Describe your golf game in six words.
Tim: simplicity, accuracy, and consistency
Julie: A work in progress.
15 – What's one item that you can’t live without?
For Tim, it’s a really lofted wedge. For Julie, it’s her driver.