The 2024 Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, marks the final time the PGA Tour Champions will contest this major tournament at the historic venue. According to tournament organizers, the event, scheduled for July 11–14, 2024, concludes a multi-year run at the South Course that began when the tournament moved from its previous home in 2019.
Why is the Kaulig Companies Championship leaving Firestone?
The departure stems from the expiration of the current agreement between the PGA Tour and Firestone Country Club. While the tournament successfully transitioned to the Champions Tour—the professional golf circuit for players age 50 and older—following the departure of the World Golf Championships (WGC) in 2018, the business model for hosting the event has shifted.
According to reporting by Crain’s Cleveland Business, the financial landscape for independent tournament ownership and sponsorship in professional golf has become increasingly difficult. Unlike events fully owned and operated by the PGA Tour, the Kaulig Companies Championship required significant local sponsorship support to remain viable in the Akron market. Despite the tournament’s prestige and the historic nature of the South Course, the economic realities of maintaining a major championship-level event without a long-term, tour-backed financial structure led to the decision to end the partnership.
What is the history of the tournament at Firestone?
The tournament, formerly known as the Senior Players Championship, found a new home at Firestone in 2019 after the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational moved to Memphis. Firestone Country Club has a storied legacy in professional golf, having hosted three PGA Championships and the long-running World Series of Golf.
The transition to the Champions Tour allowed Akron golf fans to continue watching legends of the game compete on the South Course. Notable winners during the Firestone era include Jerry Kelly, who won in 2020, and Steve Stricker, who secured victory in 2023. The tournament’s title sponsor, Kaulig Companies, played a significant role in keeping the event in the region for the duration of its tenure at the club.
Where will the tournament go next?
The PGA Tour has not yet announced a permanent home for the event beyond the 2024 conclusion at Firestone. The tournament is part of the five major championships on the PGA Tour Champions schedule. Because of this status, the tour is expected to prioritize venues that can accommodate the infrastructure required for a major championship and provide a sustainable financial path forward.
Key Details for the Final Event
- Dates: July 11–14, 2024.
- Venue: Firestone Country Club (South Course), Akron, Ohio.
- Status: This is the final year of the agreement to host the event at this location.
- Field: The tournament features the top players from the PGA Tour Champions, competing for a major championship title.
As the 2024 event approaches, the focus remains on the competition on the South Course. Fans and players alike are expected to mark the occasion as a final chapter in the modern era of professional championship golf at one of the sport’s most iconic venues. The PGA Tour is expected to provide updates regarding the tournament’s future location following the conclusion of the 2024 championship.
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