AKRON, Ohio — The Bridgestone Senior Players Championship returns to Akron's Firestone Country Club next week for the second consecutive year, although as is the case with everything else, this year will be a little different.
“We are thankful that we are going to be able to play a golf tournament here in 2020,” says the tournament’s executive director, Don Padgett III. “There was some uncertainty, but we did decide, unfortunately, not to be able to have fans out here.”
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A lack of fans won’t be the only change COVID-19 is bringing to the tourney. About 80 golfers expected to compete, along with their caddies, staff and volunteers will be tested for the Coronavirus prior to play. Everyone participating in Wednesday’s Pro-Am will also be tested before participating. Without fans attending, the course looks a little different as well with no need for ropes, grandstands or concessions.
Padgett says, “You won’t see much of a build-out out there, it’ll be quiet.”
While the economic impact to the area won’t be the same without fans, having a Pro-Am and sponsors help, the tournament will still be able to make charitable contributions. Sponsors like Bridgestone, Westfield, and First Energy stepped up to allow sizable donations to places like the Akron Canton Regional Food Bank, United Way and different children’s hospitals in the area.
“We’ve had great sponsors step up and make sure that we’ll be able to give back this year,” says Padgett. “They’re all great causes and we’re proud to play a small part in supporting them.”
The Pro-Am kicks off the weekend on Wednesday, August 12th and the pros teeing off on the 13th. The tournament will be broadcast in over 150 countries and nationally on the Golf Channel, meaning Akron is still taking a prominent stage in the golf community. So it won’t be like it was 2 years ago when the PGA tour was in town, or even last year’s inaugural Senior Tour event. However, against some odds, professional golf is returning to Akron for the 67th time when they tee off August 13th.
“Firestone Country Club has the course ready to go,” says Padgett. “We’re excited about that and looking forward to a great tournament.”
Note: The below video featuring Billy Andrade was shot in 2019.