Senior Players Championship returns to Akron with fans
The Firestone Country Club’s PGA Tour Champions Major welcomes spectators back to the golf course as the number of COVID-19 cases declines.
Akron, Ohio — I’ve had a big weekend in the Akron area for over 65 years. Next Thursday, professional golf will return to the Firestone County Club.
This year, organizers are finding new ways to attract fans as well as allow them again.
“I know that by winning Firestone, I can win anywhere now,” says last year’s winner, Jerry Kelly. Bridgestone Senior Players Championship..
Kelly has won Akron last week and hopes to repeat, but this time the situation is a little different. Last year, fans were banned from participating due to a pandemic. Even in golf, the audience makes a difference.
“The amount of shear in the energy that comes from the cheers and roars is incredible,” Kelly told us.
There was a shortage of fans in 2020, but in tournaments, Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank And a local hospital. They are re-preparing a course with a stand that welcomes ticket owners, so we hope to exceed that number this year.
Last year, event executive director Don Padgett said, “Save money, even if you don’t have fans,” with sponsors who know what we’re trying to do with the money. “. .. “Ticket sales were great. We know there is a lot of sickening demand.”
This year’s tournament expects more fans this year, not only because people are looking for something to do together, but also because they’ve added something to do. The Bridgestone Senior Players Championship will add Summerfest to the docket this year. This includes live concerts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, as well as local food trucks on site.
“That’s a little bit for everyone,” Padgett explained. “We have great golf fans, but we’ll take others too. When they come out, we collect money for charity, so it’s mutually beneficial for everyone. . “
Overall, the organizers have made over $ 30 million in charitable donations during 67 years of professional golf at Firestone. They have also seen a fair share of great golf shots and so great golf shots.
For the returning champion, he will circle a hole in the card and eventually conquer it.
“I’m going to hit the fairway on the 8th hole this year,” Kelly swears. “I know I am. I’m going to get it this year. That’s my goal.”
Firestone previously hosted numerous PGA Tour events from 1954 to 2019, especially the World Series of Golf and three PGA Championships. That run ended when the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational moved to Memphis, but last year the PGA Tour Champions brought one of its majors to Summit County for the first time.
For more information on this year’s event click here..
Senior Players Championship returns to Akron with fans