Professional golf is officially moving away from Akron. One of the most legendary Midwest stops in professional golf will host the final chapter of the long-running tournament at its premises.

A major realignment on the PGA Tour Champions circuit is currently underway. In what amounts to a corporate sponsorship move, one of golf’s most prestigious senior majors will be moved out of its long-held Ohio home to California.

According to a Sports Business Journal report, the Senior Players Championship moves to California under a new title sponsor, which may spell the end of 72 years of PGA Tour presence at Firestone Country Club.

Healthcare giant Hoag is taking over the event's title sponsorship. They are officially relocating the major to Newport Beach Country Club under a brand-new, lucrative five-year agreement through 2031. 

Moreover, the tournament will have a new place in the golfing calendar. Henceforth, starting in 2027, the renamed Hoag Senior Players Championship will take place during early spring, specifically from March 25–28.

The relocation leaves Firestone entirely without a professional tournament. The iconic facility had previously hosted a continuous tour event every single year since the historic 1954 Rubber City Open.

Echoes of Firestone’s Storied Golfing History

Long before this exit, Firestone built an unparalleled tournament legacy. The venue originally opened back in 1929 as a recreational park specifically for employees of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. 

The club gained worldwide recognition for staging the PGA Championship in 1960. This tournament's success motivated the establishment of the American Golf Classic, which ran at the club from 1961 to 1976.

Firestone also played host to the very first edition of the World Series of Golf, which took place in 1962. A 22-year-old Jack Nicklaus went on to win the four-man tournament and earned a handsome $50,000 paycheck.

The World Series of Golf eventually joined the PGA Tour roster in 1976. It further evolved into a World Golf Championship by 1999, where four-time PGA Championship winner Tiger Woods dominated by winning a record eight times. 

World No. 16 Justin Thomas captured the last WGC title at Akron in 2018. The Senior Players Championship subsequently stepped in 2019 and kept professional golf alive until the recent decision for relocation was made.

Read more at Club Golf.

Written by

Abhishek Sharma

Edited by

Sijo Paul