Mission Statement:
To improve the quality of life in Northeast Ohio by sharing event proceeds with non-profit organizations that enhance the health and well-being of our community. Statement of Purpose:
Since 1981, the Ambassador of Golf Award has been given annually to an individual who fosters the ideals of the game internationally while exhibiting concern for others beyond the golf course. In keeping with the spirit of the award, an Ambassador of Golf fundraiser was introduced in 2019 by presenting sponsor FirstEnergy Foundation in collaboration with the Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS Championship. The combined efforts of this inaugural event and the golf tournament raised more than $825,000 to benefit organizations including the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank, Akron Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Akron General, First Tee of Greater Akron, Summa Health System, United Way of Summit County and University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s. Since 1984, more than $29 million has been raised by tournaments at Firestone Country Club and distributed to local non-profit organizations through Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation, Inc. Previous Winners:
1981 Chi Chi Rodriguez
1982 Bing Crosby
1983 Byron Nelson
1984 Gene Sarazen
1985 President Gerald Ford
1986 Bob Hope
1987 Dinah Shore
1988 Joe Dey
1989 Frank Chirkinian
1990 Barbara Nicklaus
1991 Arnold Palmer
1992 Nancy Lopez
1993 Roberto De Vicenzo
1994 President George H.W. Bush
1995 Michael Bonnallack
1996 Deane Beman
1997 Peter Thomson
1998 Ken Venturi
1999 Gary Player
2000 Ben Hogan and Sam Snead
2001 Del de Windt
2002 Joanne Carner
2003 Robert Dedman Sr. and Jack Vickers
2004 Lee Trevino
2005 Pete Dye
2006 Ken Schofield
2007 Tony Jacklin
2008 Charlie Sifford
2009 Hale Irwin
2010 Tom Watson
2011 Nick Price
2012 Nick Faldo
2013 Jack Nicklaus
2014 Johnny Miller
2015 Judy Rankin
2016 Davis Love III
2017 Peter Jacobsen
2018 Jim Nantz
2019 Fred Couples
Giving Back to the Community:
As part of the Bridgestone SENIOR Players Championship Tournament, the Ambassador of Golf event is a fundraiser benefiting Northeast Ohio charities, including:
Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
Akron Children’s Hospital
Summa Health System
Cleveland Clinic Akron General
The First Tee of Akron and Canton
United Way of Summit County
University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital
Akron Fire and EMS REACH Program
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Summit, Medina and Stark Counties
Community Pregnancy Center
Elves and More Northeast Ohio
Embracing Futures
Faithful Servants Care Center
Open M
Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs
Summit Choral Society