AKRON, Ohio – It has always been a dream of mine to play Firestone, ever since I first began playing and following golf, some 30 years ago. Located in Akron, Ohio; Firestone Country Club is a private club with three 18-hole courses. As of 2020, Firestone now offers stay and play packages with overnight golf accommodations in their on-course villas, or dorm-style sleeping rooms in the men’s locker room.
During my visit, I was fortunate enough to stay in a villa right next to the 18th green of the North Course. My spacious room had all the amenities that one would need and down the hallway I had access to a shared, fully equipped kitchen, as well as living room. Additionally, I not only had a reserved parking spot, but one with a personalized name plate-a nice touch and something I have never experienced anywhere else. Firestone’s attention to detail was much appreciated.
The Fazio Course, formerly the North Course, received an upgrade in 2020 by one of my favorite architects, Tom Fazio. I found the course very playable, which made for a great start to my visit, before turning my sights on tackling the other, more challenging tracks.
The South Course dubbed “The Monster” by Arnold Palmer, was the site of the PGA Championship in 1960, 1966, and 1975 (won by Jack Nicklaus) and the Senior PGA Championship in 2002. The club served as the site of The World Series of Golf beginning in 1976 and in 1984; the tournament became known as the NEC World Series of Golf before becoming the World Golf Championships. Subsequently, named the NEC Invitational in 1999 until 2006 when the name changed to the World Golf Championships – Bridgestone Invitational. The course was redesigned in 1960 by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr. and now features 74 bunkers throughout, as well as water hazards found on two holes.
“The Monster” ate my lunch, figuratively, but when I made par (and full disclosure, that did not happen often), I was left feeling rather accomplished. Playing on a course I have watched on TV for years was surreal-enjoyable for sure and something I will take with me… I should mention that the fact that I did not keep score, makes the memories even more palatable.
On my last day at Firestone, I was fortunate to play the North Course, which I could see myself enjoying every day. Not only is it a challenging course, with plenty of water features, strategically placed bunkers, and gentle elevation changes; it is an immensely enjoyable course to play.
As an aside, for those golf enthusiasts who may be slightly intimidated by courses like those found at Firestone, might I recommend a visit to BigShots Golf (down the road from the club). Similar to TopGolf, BigShots provides fun, food/drinks and a place to practice your finesse, as it offers 44 climate-controlled tee boxes with TrackMan technology.
I hope to visit the Buckeye State again soon, home of Lebron James, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Firestone Country Club; a top notch facility, one that should be on every avid golfer’s bucket list.
https://www.invitedclubs.com/clubs/firestone-country-club
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