Firestone Country Club
Encyclopedia
The Firestone Country Club is a private golf club
located in Akron
, Ohio
, United States
.
The Club comprises three courses—those of the North, South, and West—each of which hosted a televised
golf event, respectively the American Golf Classic
, the CBS Golf Classic and the World Series of Golf, in 1973
; no other club has hosted three televised golf events in the same calendar year.
One of three World Golf Championships
constituent events, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational
, directed by the International Federation of PGA Tours and sanctioned on the PGA
and European Tours, is contested at the club, which serves also as a home course
for the University of Akron
Zips
golf team
.
commissioned the club in 1929 as a park for employees of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company
. Its first course, the South, was designed by Bert Way. It opened on August 10, 1929 with Mr. Firestone driving the first ball. A major redesign by Robert Trent Jones
added over 50 bunkers, two ponds and brought the course up to a 7,189 yard par 70. The course was redesigned by Golforce in 1985.
The North course was designed by Robert Trent Jones
and opened in 1969. Firestone's West was the last course to be added, opening in 1989. First conceived by Geoffrey Cornish
and Brian Silva, it went through a dramatic redesign in 2002 by Tom Fazio
.
A driving range
was added in 1994; it was the first area of the club open to the public. Finally, in 1999, a nine-hole course, the Raymond C. Firestone, was opened for public play.
came to Firestone for the first time in 1960; the championship then returned in 1966 and 1975. This exposure led to a new event, the American Golf Classic
, which ran from 1961 to 1976.
Since 1962, the World Series of Golf, now known as the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational
, has been held at Firestone, usually on the South course.
During the 1975 PGA Championship
's third round of play, Jack Nicklaus
pulled out a remarkable par on the 16th hole, considered to be the hardest hole on Firestone's courses. He then went on to close the four-stroke lead held by Bruce Crampton
, ultimately winning his 4th PGA Championship. Tiger Woods
also had a memorable moment when his "shot in the dark" on the 18th hole grabbed him the victory at the 2000 World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational (NEC was the title sponsor through 2005).
Firestone's North is used less frequently in televised events, but hosted the 1976 American Golf Classic
as well as the 1994 World Series of Golf.
Championship held at the course, Arnold Palmer
called it a "Monster". The name stayed and struck such a chord with frustrated golfers that the entire South course is now known fondly as "The Monster".
41°00′27"N 81°30′28"W
Country club
A country club is a private club, often with a closed membership, that typically offers a variety of recreational sports facilities and is located in city outskirts or rural areas. Activities may include, for example, any of golf, tennis, swimming or polo...
located in Akron
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The Club comprises three courses—those of the North, South, and West—each of which hosted a televised
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
golf event, respectively the American Golf Classic
American Golf Classic
The American Golf Classic was a tournament on the PGA Tour from 1961 to 1976. It was the third event to be played at the storied Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio after the Rubber City Open Invitational and the 1960 PGA Championship.-Winners:...
, the CBS Golf Classic and the World Series of Golf, in 1973
1973 in sports
1973 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Gustav Thöni, Italy** Women's overall season champion: Annemarie Pröll, Austria-American football:* O.J...
; no other club has hosted three televised golf events in the same calendar year.
One of three World Golf Championships
World Golf Championships
The World Golf Championships are a group of four annual events for male professional golfers created by the International Federation of PGA Tours, with a fifth to be added in 2012...
constituent events, the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational
WGC-Bridgestone Invitational
The WGC-Bridgestone Invitational is one of the annual World Golf Championships for male professional golfers. It is sanctioned and organized by the International Federation of PGA Tours and the prize money is official money on both the PGA Tour and the PGA European Tour...
, directed by the International Federation of PGA Tours and sanctioned on the PGA
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
and European Tours, is contested at the club, which serves also as a home course
Home Field Advantage
Home Field Advantage is a 2000 independent film starring Tony Award-winning actor Dan Fogler in the role of Charlie....
for the University of Akron
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
Zips
Akron Zips
One of the unique nicknames in all of intercollegiate athletics belongs to The University of Akron. Originally Zippers, athletic director Kenneth Cochrane officially shortened the nickname to the Zips in 1950. Twenty-five years earlier a campus-wide contest had been conducted to choose a nickname...
golf team
NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships
The NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships, played in late May or early June, is the top annual competition in U.S. men's collegiate golf. It is a stroke play team competition, starting in 2009 the competition changed to a stroke play/match play competition with the top 8 teams after 54 holes of...
.
History
Harvey FirestoneHarvey Firestone
Harvey Samuel Firestone was an American businessman, and the founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, one of the first global makers of automobile tires.-Family background:...
commissioned the club in 1929 as a park for employees of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company
Firestone Tire and Rubber Company
The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company is an American tire company founded by Harvey Firestone in 1900 to supply pneumatic tires for wagons, buggies, and other forms of wheeled transportation common in the era. Firestone soon saw the huge potential for marketing tires for automobiles. The company...
. Its first course, the South, was designed by Bert Way. It opened on August 10, 1929 with Mr. Firestone driving the first ball. A major redesign by Robert Trent Jones
Robert Trent Jones
Robert Trent Jones, Sr. was a golf course architect who designed about 500 golf courses in at least 40 US states and 35 other countries all around the world...
added over 50 bunkers, two ponds and brought the course up to a 7,189 yard par 70. The course was redesigned by Golforce in 1985.
The North course was designed by Robert Trent Jones
Robert Trent Jones
Robert Trent Jones, Sr. was a golf course architect who designed about 500 golf courses in at least 40 US states and 35 other countries all around the world...
and opened in 1969. Firestone's West was the last course to be added, opening in 1989. First conceived by Geoffrey Cornish
Geoffrey Cornish
Geoffrey Cornish is a golf course architect, author, and a fellow of the American Society of Golf Course Architects. He has designed over 200 courses, including 9-hole additions, around the world.-Early life:...
and Brian Silva, it went through a dramatic redesign in 2002 by Tom Fazio
Tom Fazio
Thomas Fazio, ASGCA is a golf course architect.Fazio graduated in 1962 from Lansdale Catholic High School and was inducted into its "Hall of Fame" in 2007. He began his career in golf course design with his family's firm in suburban Philadelphia, which he left in the 1960s; he established his own...
.
A driving range
Driving range
A driving range is an area where golfers can practice their swing. It can also be a recreational activity itself for amateur golfers or when enough time for a full game is not available. Many golf courses have a driving range attached and they are also found as stand-alone facilities, especially...
was added in 1994; it was the first area of the club open to the public. Finally, in 1999, a nine-hole course, the Raymond C. Firestone, was opened for public play.
Tournaments
The Rubber City Open was the first tournament to be held at Firestone. It began in 1954 and was held yearly until 1959. The PGA ChampionshipPGA Championship
The PGA Championship is an annual golf tournament conducted by the PGA of America as part of the PGA Tour. It is one of the four major championships in men's professional golf, and is the golf season's final major, usually played in mid-August, customarily four weeks after The Open Championship...
came to Firestone for the first time in 1960; the championship then returned in 1966 and 1975. This exposure led to a new event, the American Golf Classic
American Golf Classic
The American Golf Classic was a tournament on the PGA Tour from 1961 to 1976. It was the third event to be played at the storied Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio after the Rubber City Open Invitational and the 1960 PGA Championship.-Winners:...
, which ran from 1961 to 1976.
Since 1962, the World Series of Golf, now known as the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational
WGC-Bridgestone Invitational
The WGC-Bridgestone Invitational is one of the annual World Golf Championships for male professional golfers. It is sanctioned and organized by the International Federation of PGA Tours and the prize money is official money on both the PGA Tour and the PGA European Tour...
, has been held at Firestone, usually on the South course.
During the 1975 PGA Championship
1975 PGA Championship
The 1975 PGA Championship was the 57th PGA Championship played August 7-10 at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. Jack Nicklaus won the championship.-Final leaderboard:-External links:* - at www.golfobserver.com...
's third round of play, Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus
Jack William Nicklaus , nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is an American professional golfer. He won 18 career major championships on the PGA Tour over a span of 25 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all time. In addition to his 18 Majors, he was runner-up a...
pulled out a remarkable par on the 16th hole, considered to be the hardest hole on Firestone's courses. He then went on to close the four-stroke lead held by Bruce Crampton
Bruce Crampton
Bruce Crampton is an Australian professional golfer.Crampton was born in Sydney, New South Wales, and attended Kogarah High School from 1948-1950. He turned professional in 1953....
, ultimately winning his 4th PGA Championship. Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods
Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods is an American professional golfer whose achievements to date rank him among the most successful golfers of all time. Formerly the World No...
also had a memorable moment when his "shot in the dark" on the 18th hole grabbed him the victory at the 2000 World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational (NEC was the title sponsor through 2005).
Firestone's North is used less frequently in televised events, but hosted the 1976 American Golf Classic
American Golf Classic
The American Golf Classic was a tournament on the PGA Tour from 1961 to 1976. It was the third event to be played at the storied Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio after the Rubber City Open Invitational and the 1960 PGA Championship.-Winners:...
as well as the 1994 World Series of Golf.
Tee boxes
- 1. Championship – slope: 128, rating: 75.1, yards: 7139
- 2. Member – slope: 122, rating: 71.2, yards: 6379
- 3. Ladies' – slope: 127, rating: 72.8, yards: 5560
South Course – The Monster
This course was designed from the start to be championship level. It has been the host of over 70 professional tournaments. After scoring a triple-bogey on the 16th hole during the first PGAPGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
Championship held at the course, Arnold Palmer
Arnold Palmer
Arnold Daniel Palmer is an American professional golfer, who is generally regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men's professional golf. He has won numerous events on both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour, dating back to 1955...
called it a "Monster". The name stayed and struck such a chord with frustrated golfers that the entire South course is now known fondly as "The Monster".
- 1st Hole, 399 yard, par-4
- 2nd Hole, 497 yard, par-5
- 3rd Hole, 442 yard, par-4
- 4th Hole, 471 yard, par-4 Another long par 4, the second shot is where golfers get themselves into trouble; the height of the green requires quite a bit of lift.
- 5th Hole, 200 yard, par-3 While still a good length, this par 3 is considered to be one of the easier holes on the course.
- 6th Hole, 469 yard, par-4 Length alone adds a great deal of difficulty to this par 4, often noted to be the most difficult hole on the course.
- 7th Hole, 219 yard, par-3
- 8th Hole, 452 yard, par-4
- 9th Hole, 484 yard, par-4
- 10th Hole, 410 yard, par-4
- 11th Hole, 370 yard, par-4
- 12th Hole, 180 yard, par-3
- 13th Hole, 471 yard, par-4
- 14th Hole, 467 yard, par-4
- 15th Hole, 221 yard, par-3 A long par 3 is difficult enough, but the hidden left bunker proves fatal for many a golfer.
- 16th Hole, 667 yard, par-5 One of the longest par 5s in existence, its pond in front of the green adds more than its fair share of difficulty to the hole.
- 17th Hole, 400 yard, par-4
- 18th Hole, 464 yard, par-4 With a long narrow profile and a green surrounded by bunkers, this is a difficult par 4 to birdie.
North Course
A championship level course, the North is famous for its many lakes and streams. While considered the most scenic course of the three, it has only been host to two tournaments.- 1st Hole, 398 yard, par-4
- 2nd Hole, 387 yard, par-4
- 3rd Hole, 449 yard, par-4
- 4th Hole, 423 yard, par-4
- 5th Hole, 533 yard, par-5
- 6th Hole, 214 yard, par-3
- 7th Hole, 534 yard, par-5 Water comes into play if approach shot is hit too long.
- 8th Hole, 178 yard, par-3
- 9th Hole, 431 yard, par-4
- 10th Hole, 364 yard, par-4
- 11th Hole, 201 yard, par-3 Almost an island green with water surrounding 3 sides of the green.
- 12th Hole, 427 yard, par-4
- 13th Hole, 441 yard, par-4
- 14th Hole, 441 yard, par-4
- 15th Hole, 341 yard, par-4
- 16th Hole, 560 yard, par-5 Water comes into play if approach shot is hit too long.
- 17th Hole, 218 yard, par-3 Another hole with water surrounding 3 sides of the green.
- 18th Hole, 520 yard, par-5
West Course
The final championship course on the grounds and host to the annual Ohio Senior Open.- 1st Hole, 444 yard, par-4
- 2nd Hole, 392 yard, par-4
- 3rd Hole, 211 yard, par-3
- 4th Hole, 324 yard, par-4
- 5th Hole, 356 yard, par-4
- 6th Hole, 467 yard, par-4
- 7th Hole, 191 yard, par-3
- 8th Hole, 484 yard, par-4
- 9th Hole, 625 yard, par-5
- 10th Hole, 426 yard, par-4
- 11th Hole, 448 yard, par-4
- 12th Hole, 170 yard, par-3
- 13th Hole, 492 yard, par-5
- 14th Hole, 147 yard, par-3
- 15th Hole, 476 yard, par-4
- 16th Hole, 244 yard, par-3
- 17th Hole, 525 yard, par-5
- 18th Hole, 482 yard, par-4
External links
41°00′27"N 81°30′28"W