Franco Chimenti, the President of the Italian Golf Federation who played a key role in bringing the Ryder Cup to Rome in 2023, has died. He was 85.

Having been elected initially to the post in 2002, he led the Federation for 22 years and indeed only last month was re-elected as President for the seventh consecutive time.

Ahead of that, from 1981 to 1985, he held the position of Vice President of the Lazio Football Club before becoming President in 1986, and in 2021, he received The Golden Collar for sporting merit – the highest honour conferred by CONI (the Italian Olympic Committee) – crowning a long and great career at the pinnacle of Italian golf.

But perhaps his greatest achievement came when, through his vision, he helped bring the Ryder Cup to Italy for the first time last September when Europe memorably defeated the United States at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club on the outskirts of Rome.

Guy Kinnings, the Chief Executive of the European Tour Group, said: “On behalf of everyone at the European Tour Group and Ryder Cup Europe, we are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Franco Chimenti.

“Over the course of Italy’s Ryder Cup journey, I got to know Franco personally and I spent a lot of time in his company. He had a profound passion for golf in Italy and he devoted so much of his time to developing the sport in his country.

“It meant so much for to him to be able to bring the Ryder Cup to Italy last year and we were glad he was there to see his dream realised. I know he was incredibly proud and that legacy will live on.

“Our thoughts and sympathies at this sad time are with his family, his many friends and everyone at the Italian Golf Federation.”

Born in Naples on August 7, 1939, Franco Chimenti was, in his work life, for many years Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University La Sapienza in Rome, where he held the position of Dean. He was a member of the New York Academy of Sciences from 1970 to 2000 and also held the post of President of the Institute of Dermo Cosmetic Research.

He was an Academician of Medical and Biological Sciences and an Academician of the Noble College of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, as well as being the author of many manuscripts and communications published by International Journals.

In a post on www.federgolf.it, the official website of the Federazione Italiana Golf, the organisation paid tribute, saying; ‘The entire Italian Golf Federation feels the immense pain of the family and mourns the death of a man of absolute depth and a man with great human values. He was an example for everyone.’