After caddying at Westmoreland CC in Wilmette, IL, Sherm Finger’s distinguished career in golf would eventually go on to see him become a collegiate All-American, Chicago District Golf Association (CDGA) Amateur Champion, and PGA head golf professional at two of Chicago’s most prestigious country clubs.
In 1963, Sherm earned a golf scholarship at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. During his collegiate career Sherm would capture the Pac-Ten individual title three consecutive years (1964, 1965, 1966), earning him First Team All-American honors each of those seasons, becoming the first player in NCAA history to achieve that distinction.
Upon graduation from USC Sherm served in the United States Army during Vietnam before heading back to California to work as a teaching professional at Westlake Village GC and earn his PGA membership (1971).
His career as a PGA club professional began at Shoreacres in Lake Bluff, IL where he spent five seasons as the head professional before moving over to serve in that same role at Knollwood Club in Lake Forest, IL for 27 years.
Dedicated to his Association, Sherm was actively involved in leadership roles with the Illinois PGA throughout his career. He served on the Board of Directors for more than twenty years, culminating with his term as President (1987 – 1988) and being named by his peers as the Illinois PGA Golf Professional of the Year in 1988.
In addition to his collegiate success, Sherm was an accomplished player on the local and national levels. In 1965, he won the CDGA Amateur Championship, Pasadena (CA) City Amateur Championship and the Palm Springs (CA) Amateur Championship. Sherm also competed in the United States Amateur Championship four times (1961, 1962, 1964, 1965).