Tournament officials for the Bridgestone Senior Players Championship announced Wednesday that spectators will not be permitted on the grounds at Firestone Country Club this year because of the ongoing health and safety issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Bridgestone Senior Players Championship competition rounds are scheduled for Aug. 13-16 at Firestone Country Club’s South Course in Akron.
“In this unprecedented COVID-19 climate, contesting the 2020 Bridgestone Senior Players Championship without spectators was the safest path moving forward,” Executive Director Don Padgett III said in a prepared statement.
“Our key focus since the beginning has been the well-being of our players, fans, volunteers and partners, but also our ability to conduct this tournament in its entirety so that we can once again create a charitable impact here in Northeast Ohio. Today’s decision will enable us to ensure both.”
Online ticket purchasers for this year’s event will be refunded by their original method of purchase automatically. For more information on the refund policy, fans are encouraged to visit www.BridgestoneSENIORPLAYERS.com.
Since 1984, professional golf events held at Firestone Country Club have raised more than $29 million for area charities, including $825,000 from the 2019 Bridgestone Senior Players Championship.
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“Thanks to our title sponsor, Bridgestone, founding partners Westfield and FirstEnergy as well as other area supporters the Bridgestone Senior Players will continue to benefit key charities in our area that have meant so much to Northeast Ohio in recent times,” Padgett said.
Retief Goosen made birdie on the final two holes last year in the first year of the Senior Players at Firestone for his initial PGA Tour Champions title. Goosen finished two shots ahead of Jay Haas and Tim Petrovic.
The 72-hole major championship at Firestone Country Club is set to feature a one-day pro-am on Aug. 12. All professionals, amateurs and caddies will undergo COVID-19 testing in advance of their participation, in addition to other safety protocols implemented for the tournament.
The Bridgestone Senior Players Championship will continue to raise funds and awareness for its seven charitable beneficiaries, including Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Akron Children’s Hospital, The First Tee of Greater Akron, Summa Health System, Cleveland Clinic Akron General, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and United Way of Summit County.
Michael Beaven can be reached at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBeavenABJ.[lawrence-related id=778044463,778030536,778026101]