UNC Finley Golf Course
It all started with a football game. In 1949, the Tar Heels were scheduled to play Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium. After setting his mind on attending the game, A.E. Finley quickly discovered that tickets could not be found. Determined to attend the game, Mr. Finley reached out to the University of North Carolina’s golf coach, Chuck Erickson.
Remembering A.E. Finley
A large part of Mr. Finley’s impact is connected to the relationships he developed and the power of his mentorship. Watch businessman Temple Sloan, Jr. share how Mr. Finley was instrumental in helping him secure the land for General Part’s first location.
Smedes York, current owner of York Properties in Raleigh, remembers the close relationship that his father shared with Mr. Finley. Willie York was mentored by Mr. Finley and called him “Captain Boss.” Watch Smedes York share more about the friendship and impact of Mr. Finley.
AE Finley Foundation on Facebook
As College Basketball is winding down, College Football is ramping up as ACC Schools have started spring practice. Most local sports fans know A.E. Finley’s support of NCSU and UNC, but few know his support of the Duke University. ![]()
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Mr. Finley began his association with Duke primarily through his friendship with former athletics director Eddie Cameron. In recent year's his foundation made a $1 million contribution to the Yoh Football Center and a $1 million donation to the Duke Children's Hospital as part of a development campaign chaired by Mike and Mickie Krzyzewski. It also contributed to the Teer Engineering Library Building, and each year provides a full athletics scholarship with a $40,000 donation to the Cameron-Wade Fund.![]()
Mr. Finley also played a key role in the lighting of Wallace Wade Stadium. "He was a fan of North Carolina, Duke and N.C. State," says Bobby Brown, former director of the Finley Foundation. "He liked to go to football games at all three places. He thought if Duke had lights, he'd be able to go to two games in one day." So Finley made a sizeable contribution to the lighting project in 1984. Mr. Finley’s love of sports and commitment to philanthropy is alive and well throughout our local universities.
Earlier this month, UNC hosted the NCAA DI Men's Golf Championship Regional competition at the Finley Golf Club, which is named for A.E. Finley. In 1949, Mr. Finley led the first major renovation of the original 9 holes, creating a great course the UNC golf team and community could use. His support did not stop there, as he led the creation of the second nine holes, funded major structures and maintenance at the course, trophies for tournaments and much more. When the course was redesigned in 1999 and the clubhouse addition was added in 2012, the Foundation provided lead gifts. The course has recently completed renovations that make it a premiere golf experience, continuing Mr. Finley’s legacy of excellence and commitment to community. Watch the great stories of the history of the course here: ![]()
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIQdzxXg_V8&t=264s
The Historic Yates Mill County Park has a long history with A.E. Finley. The mill and millpond predate the founding of Raleigh and the American Revolution. Phares Yates purchased the mill in the 1860s, and the Yates family owned the mill for over 80 years. In 1947, N.C. Equipment Co. bought the mill, millpond and surrounding land. Mr. Finley built a lodge that became a popular retreat for employees, friends and family to meet, fish and hunt. In 1963, Mr. Finley sold the mill and land to NC State University, which is now part of the renowned 1,000 acre research facility off of Lake Wheeler Road. In 2001, the A.E. Finley Foundation supported the transformation of the old mill into a Wake County Public Park, which included building the A.E. Finley Center for Education and Research on the original Finley Lodge site. A.E. Finley’s legacy of providing space for people to enjoy the outdoors continues, as the park hosts over 150,000 visitors each year.
As we enter the heart of spring, it’s the perfect time to visit the Finley-Nottingham Rose Garden at N.C. State’s JC Raulston Arboretum. The garden is endowed by the A. E. Finley Foundation in memory of A.E. Finley’s wife Marian Nottingham Finley and Marian Nottingham Rice, A.E. and Marian’s grand-niece. The garden boasts over 80 different varieties of roses and during peak season, over 3,000 blooms. The beautiful iron arbors, stone terraces and manicured paths make this a popular venue for weddings and events. Mid to late May is the best time to visit!
The A.E. Finley Foundation is proud to support the UNC Health Rex Healthcare Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center. These facilities improve our community by providing quality long-term nursing care, short-term rehabilitation, and other skilled services. Earlier this month, we had the opportunity to tour the center and see the great work they are doing. A.E. Finley’s legacy of giving to provide relief, comfort, and support to those in need continues. #rrncc
A.E. Finley Foundation continues Mr. Finley's dedication to supporting local college athletics. Foundation Director Jim Welch provided our 2022 A.E. Finley Foundation gift to Buzzy Correll, Associate Executive Director of the Wolfpack Club. We are proud to be a part of one of the most exciting atmospheres in college football. Carter-Finley Stadium - Official Home Of Wolfpack Football #ncsufootball
Back in 1949, A.E. Finley proudly showed off North Carolina Equipment Company’s industrial and construction equipment at the North Carolina State Fair. A brilliant promoter, Mr. Finley never missed a chance to connect with potential customers. While a lot has changed, we still love going to the N.C. State Fair and seeing all that our great state has to offer.
In 1979, the NC State Football stadium was officially renamed Carter-Finley Stadium, and the first game against ECU that year honored A.E. Finley’s dedication to the program. This weekend, the Wolfpack will once again kick off the season against the ECU Pirates! We remember Mr. Finley’s generosity, dedication to education, and his love for college athletics. #wolfpackfootball #ncsu #ncsufootball