The Rotary Club of Akron had the pleasure of listening to Don Padgett III, Executive Director of the Kaulig Companies Bridgestone Invitational Championship during our Tuesday, May 23rdt Club meeting. Padgett began his PGA TOUR career at TOUR headquarters near Jacksonville, Florida in 2000. In 2007, Padgett returned to his hometown of Akron, Ohio and has led the last seventeen professional golf tournaments at Firestone Country Club. The video can be viewed by clicking here.
Over $31 million has been raised for worthy charitable causes throughout Northeast Ohio from proceeds from the golf tournament.
Mr. Padgett gave a brief overview of the history of the Firestone Country Club.Firestone Country Club’s rich history began in 1929 as the vision of Harvey Firestone, founder of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. In 2023, the club marks its 70th consecutive year of professional golf tournaments. Only a short list of three other clubs can boast such a tradition.
Firestone Country Club has long been synonymous with tournament golf. The first tournament hosted at Firestone was The Rubber City Open in 1954.
The Kaulig Companies Bridgestone Championship tournament will take place July 12th thru the 16th.
Mr. Padgett stated that proceeds from this community event help worthy charitable causes throughout Northeast Ohio. Tournament proceeds are generated when fans support and attend the festivities during tournament week. In addition to the competition, Mr. Padgett stated that there were three major components of the tournament. These three components were (1) Something for Everyone, (2) See Legendary Players Up Close, and (3) Support Northeast Ohio Charities.
Something for Everyone: includes Big Shot Golf, One-of-a-Kind Pet area, Monster Deck, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Pinball Machine, music entertainment and other fun opportunities.
Legends of the Game: Hall of Fame Golf Champions will be in attendance to “rub elbows.”
Funding for Northeast Ohio Charities: Over $31 million dollars have been generated for charities in Northeast Ohio. Each year approximately 25-30 charities are beneficiaries of revenues generated from the tournament.
Underrated Golf – Ambassador of Golf Event with Steph Curry: This event involves 96 youth playing golf on July 7th and July 8th, followed by the Ambassador of Golf Awards.
To learn more about the activities planned for the July 12th – July 16th tournament week, as well as the KauligCompanies Championship sponsorship, check out the following websites: www.kauligchampionship.com, and www.kauligcompanies.com.
Yours in Service -
Terry Dalton
Club Secretary & Scholarship Chair
