AKRON, Ohio — Firestone Country Club in Akron has long hosted professional golf tournaments -- and is no stranger to change. The club started hosting golf tournaments back in 1954 with the Rubber City Open, and has kept at it since with three PGA Championships, the World Golf Championship-Bridgestone Invitational from 1999 until 2018 (it was the WGC-NEC Invitational from 1999-2005) and now a major on the PGA TOUR Champions circuit.
Change is coming again, but this one has a different meaning than some of the past changes. The Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS Championship is set to have a new name starting in 2023. Kaulig Companies is set to take over the naming rights of the tournament in 2023, although the actual name of the tournament has not yet been announced.
“At Kaulig Companies, we continuously look for ways to better our community, and it is an honor to partner with PGA TOUR Champions to sponsor one of their flagship events,” said Matt Kaulig, Executive Chairman of Kaulig Companies. “Being able to support the city of Akron, along with the tournament’s impressive track record of giving back to local charities – many of the same that we give back to through Kaulig Giving – made it an easy decision for our team to sign on as the title sponsor. We look forward to building upon the tournament’s success, and for an exciting four years ahead.”
The event is one of the five major championships on PGA TOUR Champions. There are slated to be 78 players competing in the 72-hole event for a purse of $3 million. Last year, Steve Stricker took home the victory, after Jerry Kelly and Retief Goosen won in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
It was also announced on Wednesday that the tournament will be staying at Firestone Country Club in Akron through at least 2026. The dates for next year’s yet-to-be named tournament are July 13-16, 2023.
This year’s tournament will take place from July 7-10. CLICK HERE for tickets.
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