News

News

Bridgestone Invitational Pumps $30 Million Annually Into Greater Akron Economy Tournament’s partner, Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation, has also distributed more than $4.7 million to local organizations

AKRON, Ohio (Aug. 5, 2010) –The world’s top golfers have converged on Akron, Ohio, to play for one of the biggest paydays in golf at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational at the historic Firestone Country Club. But local businesses will also be cashing in this week thanks to the tournament, which contributes an estimated $30 million annually to the greater Akron community, according to Don Padgett, Executive Director of the Bridgestone Invitational.

At the conclusion of this year’s tournament, this event will have pumped more than $150 million into the local economy since it became the Bridgestone Invitational in 2006.

“Our community has enjoyed a wonderful relationship with professional golf. The tournaments have not only provided us with the best the sport has to offer, they have enriched our community,” said Mark Williamson, Akron’s Director of Communications. “Not only does the Bridgestone Invitational add substantially to our economy, it has generously contributed to the charities in Greater Akron.”

In addition, each year the Bridgestone Invitational and Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation distribute approximately almost $1 million in grants to Northeast Ohio charities. Among those groups receiving grants include Susan G. Komen for the Cure and First Tee.

“We’ve had a such a strong presence in Akron for more than a century, so it is gratifying that this tournament does so much to support charity and the local economy,” said Gary Garfield, CEO and President, Bridgestone Americas, Inc. “It’s also very exciting to align our brand with a premiere PGA Tour event that brings incredible exposure to our world-class quality Bridgestone tires and Bridgestone golf equipment. This event is a winner for our community, our brands and our company.”

The Bridgestone Invitational is one of four World Golf Championships sanctioned and organized by the International Federation of PGA Tours. The other World Golf Championships include the Accenture Match Play Championship, the CA Championship and the HSBC Champions.

The International Federation of PGA Tours and Bridgestone Corporation announced in 2009 that the two organizations have reached an agreement to extend Bridgestone’s title sponsorship of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational through 2014 and that the Firestone Country Club will continue as host organization through 2014.

About Bridgestone Corporation:
Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.

About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.