Former President George W. Bush Accepts Award during Bridgestone Senior Players Championship Week
AKRON, Ohio – Firestone Country Club, renowned as one of North America’s most historic venues for championship golf, hosted the 2021 Ambassador of Golf award ceremony on June 24, with Former President George W. Bush accepting the honor.
The Ambassador of Golf Award honors a person who has fostered the ideals of the game on an international level and whose concern for others extends beyond the golf course.
Bush, who was the 43rd President of the United States from 2001-2009, has done tremendous work for the game of golf, even during his presidency. Bush has served as the Honorary Chair of the First Tee since 2012, taking over for his father, President George H. W. Bush. In that role, he provides leadership and support of the First Tee’s mission to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the sport.
President George H. W. Bush also received the Ambassador of Golf Award in 1994, and the two became the first father-son duo to be named Award honorees in its 39-year history. Chi Chi Rodriguez was the inaugural award recipient in 1981; others bestowed the honor include Byron Nelson (1983), President Gerald Ford (1985), Barbara Nicklaus (1990), Ben Hogan and Sam Snead (2000) and Fred Couples (2019).
“President Bush has always been a longtime contributor to golf, and exemplifies the qualities of a true ambassador for the sport,” says General Manager Jay Walkinshaw. “We were honored to host President Bush for this event and it was a delight to hear him talk about everything from his presidency to his passion for golf.”
CBS Sports commentator Jim Nantz, former U.S. Open champion Hale Irwin and professional golfer and current Golf Channel / NBC Sports commentator Peter Jacobsen conducted a roundtable discussion on the South Course prior to the the Ambassador Dinner, and praised Firestone for its history and challenge.
“You know if you win at Firestone, it means something,” Jacobsen said. “When you can say you won here, that is real important part.”
Considered one of the most revered sites in professional golf – and now open to non-members through stay-and-play experiences – Firestone has welcomed the game’s biggest stars for decades. Its flagship layout, the South Course, has hosted three PGA Championships, numerous World Golf Championships (including eight victories by Tiger Woods) and is the current site of the Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS Championship. Not to be outdone, its North Course is a venerable Robert Trent Jones design that has also hosted professional tournaments and ranked among the best in the Buckeye State.
Firestone’s exclusive stay-and-play packages include overnight accommodations in the club’s standard club rooms and rounds of golf. Starting at $1,900 per person, the “Monster” Experience includes lodging in the villas for two nights and golf on each of Firestone’s three courses. The South “Bucket List” Experience starts at $1,220 per person and includes an overnight stay and a round of golf per day on the South Course. For those seeking a nostalgic experience, The Legacy Package offers accommodations in the clubhouse’s dormitory-style rooms for two nights and a round of golf on each of Firestone’s three layouts, starting at $1,700 per person.
Golf and lodging upgrades to the guest villas are available with each package at booking, and additional rounds of golf may be included at a fee. Course replays can be added based on availability, and season demand could reflect an increased rate. Other restrictions may apply, and rates do not include service charges, tax or tips.
To book these limited golf packages or for more information, visit https://www.clubcorp.com/clubs/firestone-country-club/stay-play or call 330.245.3280.
Firestone is conveniently located less than an hour from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and 15 minutes from Akron-Canton Airport. It is also within easy driving distance of other major metropolitan areas such as Chicago, Columbus, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Detroit. Nearby off-course attractions include the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton and the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
For more information, www.firestonecountryclub.com.
About Firestone Country Club
Considered one of the most revered sites in professional golf – and now open to non-members through stay-and-play experiences – Firestone Country Club has welcomed legends of the game for decades. Its flagship layout, the South Course, was originally designed by Bert Way in 1929 and considerably revamped by Robert Trent Jones in 1960. The South has hosted numerous PGA Championships, World Golf Championships and is the current site of the Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS Championship. The club’s other two championship-level courses are the venerable North Course, a Robert Trent Jones design and past site of professional tournaments, and the Fazio Course, a links-style Tom Fazio design that hosts the Ohio Senior Open each year. The world-class facility also boasts a heated driving range and the Raymond C. Firestone Public 9, a well-manicured short course suitable for all golfers.
Guests of Firestone can stay in onsite villas, featuring 57 well-appointed rooms offering spectacular views of the golf courses, or in the 30 dormitory-style rooms inside the clubhouse. Dining options include the 1929 Grille & Legacy Pavilion and casual 55th Hole Bar.
Situated in northeast Ohio, Firestone Country Club is less than an hour’s drive from Cleveland and under four hours from major metropolitan areas such as Pittsburgh, Columbus, Detroit and Cincinnati. Nearby attractions include the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and collegiate and professional sports venues. Firestone will also be the future site of BigShots Golf, a tech-driven entertainment and culinary experience for the entire family.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Robert Rodriguez
Buffalo Agency
210.441.0952
rrodriguez@buffalo.agency
Dan Wooters
Buffalo Agency
201.919.7425
dwooters@buffalo.agency
