Nina Caldwell
On September 11, 2001, Jimmy Dunne, an avid golfer and successful investment banker, was trying to qualify for the U.S. Mid-Amateur golf tournament. This decision to pursue his passion for golf instead of going into his office in the South Tower of the World Trade Center saved his life. Dunne lost many friends and colleagues in the 9/11 attacks, including his friend Chris Quackenbush, a talented golfer. Dunne credits golf with saving his life and has since dedicated himself to helping the families of the victims, including paying college tuition for the children of his fallen colleagues. Dunne's story is a powerful testament to the impact of golf on his life and the lives of others.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Jimmy Dunne |
| Age | 62 years |
| Father's name | Not mentioned |
| Marital status | Married to Susan for 27 years |
| Children | 3 |
| Occupation | Senior managing partner at Sandler O'Neill; Vice Chairman and Senior Managing Principal of Piper Sandler |
| Location | Midtown Manhattan, New York |
| Clubs | Augusta National, Shinnecock, Seminole, Cypress Point, Pine Valley, Southward Ho Country Club |
| Friends | Tom Brady, Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth |
| Reason golf saved his life | Was out of the office trying to qualify for the U.S. Mid-Amateur on September 11, 2001 |
| Other | Helped set up a foundation to pay college tuition for the 76 children of his fallen colleagues |
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What You'll Learn
- Dunne's father introduced him to golf, and he started caddying at 11
- Dunne was not in the office during the 9/11 attacks
- Dunne lost many friends and colleagues in the attacks
- Dunne helped set up a foundation to pay for his colleagues' children's tuition
- Dunne is a Wall Street dealmaker and influential figure in golf
Dunne's father introduced him to golf, and he started caddying at 11
Jimmy Dunne's father introduced him to golf, first taking him to courses on Long Island and then joining the Southward Ho Country Club in Bay Shore. Dunne's father appreciated the game because it was played outdoors in beautiful places, and it was a great way to connect with successful people. Dunne started caddying at the club at the age of 11, telling everyone he was 14. He learned to anticipate the needs of his player and how to coexist with people from a different social class.
Dunne's father believed that part of being successful in life was being able to anticipate the consequences of one's actions, and caddying allowed Dunne to put this into practice. He also gained a good education about golf and life in the caddie yard.
Dunne's passion for golf and his career in finance are closely intertwined. He is the senior managing partner of Sandler O'Neill, a New York-based investment banking company, and has a resumé of club memberships that includes Augusta National, Shinnecock, Seminole, Cypress Point, and Pine Valley, to name a few.
Dunne's love for golf saved his life on September 11, 2001. Instead of going into work in the South Tower of the World Trade Center, Dunne was out of the office trying to qualify for the U.S. Mid-Amateur. He lost many friends and colleagues in the attack, including his longtime friend, Chris Quackenbush. Dunne and the executives at Sandler O'Neill + Partners made it their duty to ensure that the families of those who perished on 9/11 were taken care of, paying for the college tuition of all 76 children of his fallen colleagues.
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Dunne was not in the office during the 9/11 attacks
On September 11, 2001, Jimmy Dunne was not in the office in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Instead, he was out of the office trying to qualify for the U.S. Mid-Amateur golf tournament. Dunne's passion for golf and his competitive spirit drove him to pursue competitive golf. He had been playing golf for a long time and was playing well, which encouraged him to take his skills to the next level.
Dunne's father had introduced him to golf at a young age, first at muni courses on Long Island and then by joining the Southward Ho Country Club in Bay Shore. At age 11, Dunne started caddying at the club, telling everyone he was 14. He learned to anticipate the needs of his player and to coexist with a diverse group of people from a different social class.
Dunne's decision to pursue competitive golf led him to be out of the office on September 11, 2001, which ultimately saved his life. While he was trying to qualify for the U.S. Mid-Amateur, many of his close friends and colleagues were in the World Trade Center. Dunne lost many people he knew in the attacks, including his longtime friend, Chris Quackenbush.
Dunne's absence from the office during the 9/11 attacks is a striking example of how golf saved his life. It is not just a game to Dunne, but a passion that has shaped his life in profound ways. Golf has nourished his social nature and helped him build vast connections in the financial world. It has also given him a second lease on life, allowing him to use his platform to help those who lost their loved ones in the tragedy.
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Dunne lost many friends and colleagues in the attacks
On September 11, 2001, Jimmy Dunne was not in his office in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Instead, he was out of the office, trying to qualify for the U.S. Mid-Amateur golf tournament. This seemingly minor decision ended up saving his life.
Dunne's connection to the tragedy and his sympathy for the families of the victims later influenced his stance on the PGA Tour's deal with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Despite being a key figure in brokering the deal, Dunne was staunchly against the LIV Golf circuit. He even went as far as keeping LIV players out of the annual Seminole Pro-Member tournament. Dunne's influence in the world of golf and business is undeniable, and his story serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of the 9/11 attacks and the resilience of those whose lives were forever changed.
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Dunne helped set up a foundation to pay for his colleagues' children's tuition
Golf has been an integral part of Jimmy Dunne's life. Dunne's father introduced him to the game, first at muni courses on Long Island, and then by joining the Southward Ho Country Club in Bay Shore. Dunne's passion for golf grew, and he began caddying at the club at the age of 11, lying about his age to get the job.
Dunne's love for golf saved his life. On September 11, 2001, Dunne was not in his office in the South Tower of the World Trade Center as he was out trying to qualify for the U.S. Mid-Amateur. He lost many friends and colleagues in the tragedy, including his close friend, Chris Quackenbush.
Following the tragedy, Dunne helped set up a foundation to pay for the college tuition of all 76 children of his fallen colleagues. Dunne's generosity, along with the executives at Sandler O'Neill + Partners, ensured that the families of those who lost their lives were supported. Dunne's anti-LIV stance, driven by his sympathy for the 9/11 victims, led him to keep LIV players out of the annual Seminole Pro-Member.
Dunne's involvement in golf extended beyond playing the game. As a senior managing partner at Sandler O'Neill, a New York-based investment banking company, Dunne played a crucial role in brokering a peace deal between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. His influence in the golf world is evident through his appointments to the boards of influential golf companies like Troon Golf and his membership in exclusive golf clubs like Augusta National and Seminole Golf Club.
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Dunne is a Wall Street dealmaker and influential figure in golf
Jimmy Dunne is a Wall Street dealmaker and influential figure in golf. He is the vice chairman and senior managing principal of Piper Sandler, an investment bank and financial services company heavily involved in mergers and acquisitions. Dunne is a resident of West Palm Beach, Florida, and was one of the founders of Sandler O'Neill and Partners, which was acquired by Piper Jaffray in January 2020. He is also the president of the exclusive Seminole Golf Club and a member of Augusta National Golf Club. Dunne's passion for golf started with his father, who introduced him to the game at a young age. Dunne credits golf for saving his life on September 11, 2001, as he was out of the office trying to qualify for the U.S. Mid-Amateur instead of being at work in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. He lost many friends and colleagues in the tragedy and later helped set up a foundation to pay college tuition for the children of his fallen colleagues.
Dunne's involvement in the world of golf extends beyond his personal passion for the game. He played a key role in brokering a deal between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, showcasing his influence in the sport. Dunne's business acumen and leadership skills, combined with his passion for golf, have made him a notable figure in the sport's administration and business aspects. He was appointed to the PGA Tour's Policy Board in January 2023 and later named to the board of directors of Troon Golf, a company that manages nearly 1,000 golf clubs worldwide. Dunne's social nature and vast connections in the financial world have contributed to his influence in golf. He has an impressive resumé of club memberships and a roster of A-list friends across different strata of society.
Dunne's competitive spirit and drive to succeed are evident in both his business career and his golf game. He is an avid and accomplished golfer who plays to a single-digit handicap. His dedication to the sport and his performance on the course have granted him a certain level of fame within the golf community. Dunne's influence in golf is further highlighted by his role in the PGA Tour-LIV deal, where he was one of the select few involved in the partnership negotiations. He has been dubbed the sport's “ultimate power broker” by a magazine, recognizing his ability to bring about significant change and forge strategic alliances in the sport.
Dunne's impact on golf extends beyond his business dealings and influence. He has used his platform and resources to give back to the golf community and honor those who lost their lives on 9/11. He helped set up a foundation to support the families of his fallen colleagues and friends, demonstrating his generosity and commitment to the sport that saved his life. Dunne's story of survival and his subsequent success in both business and golf have inspired others to reflect on the impact of the game on their lives and the legacy of those who were lost. His second lease on life has driven him to continue making a difference in the world of golf and beyond.
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Frequently asked questions
Dunne is an influential figure in the world of golf and finance. He is the vice chairman and senior managing principal of Piper Sandler, an investment bank. Dunne helped broker the PGA Tour's deal with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
Dunne was supposed to be at work in the South Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, but he was out of the office trying to qualify for the U.S. Mid-Amateur. He lost many friends and colleagues in the tragedy.
Dunne helped set up a foundation that paid for the college tuition of 76 children of his fallen colleagues.
"Every morning in Africa, a zebra wakes up and knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning the lion wakes up and knows it must outrun the slowest zebra or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or zebra, when the sun comes up, better be running!"
