An historic chapter of Northeast Ohio sports will come to a close this weekend, with the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational golf tournament being held at Akron's Firestone Country Club for the final time.
PHOTOS | Firestone Country Club ready for 2018 Bridgestone Invitational
Save for one year in 2002, Firestone has been an annual stop on the PGA Tour since 1976, first with the "World Series of Golf" followed by the World Golf Championships event beginning in 1999. The south course has also hosted three PGA Championships, including a victory by the legendary Jack Nicklaus in 1975.
Starting next year, the WGC will move to Memphis, Tennessee, with the Constellation Senior Players Championship taking its place in Summit County. Still, there is business to take care of this year, and WKYC has put together a comprehensive guide of what to expect this weekend.
THE FIELD
As a World Golf Championships event, the Bridgestone Invitational features a field of players that is among the most elite on tour, with the top 50-ranked players in the world, all tour winners since last year's tournament, and all members of the 2017 President's Cup teams eligible to participate.
Golf legend Tiger Woods (who has won the event eight times) will participate for the first since 2014 after a strong finish at The Open Championship placed him in the top 50. World No. 1 Dustin Johnson and fan-favorites like Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, and Phil Mickelson are also in town, along with defending champion Hideki Matsuyama and most recent major winners Justin Thomas, Patrick Reed, Brooks Koepka, and Francesco Molinari.
A full list of first and second round tee times can be found here.
HOW TO GET TICKETS
Single-day passes for both the Wednesday practice rounds and the tournament itself start at $30 and can be purchased on PGATour.com. All-week passes are $165 dollars, and access to the "Ultra Club" on the 16th hole is also available for a higher price. In addition, all active and former U.S. Military members get in for free.
WHERE TO PARK
Parking is available for $5 at Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems & Lockheed Martin off Massillon Road, with shuttle services to the course. An Uber zone is also available at 440 East Warner Road and Championship Way.
TELEVISION
For those who can be there in person, the first two rounds of the tournament will be aired live on Golf Channel starting at 1:30 p.m. while the final two rounds will air on the same network starting at noon before CBS takes over at 2 p.m.