Special Feature for Harteis International

Hey gang. Let’s talk golf.

Thanks to my great friend Fred Harteis, for being so interested in the subject. In part one, I introduced you to Harry Firestone. Akron, Ohio was primarily known as the Rubber Capital of the world when Firestone Country Club was making news. As a matter of fact Firestone would be the name of the rubber factory and the neighborhood was known as Firestone Park and later a bank in town was named Firestone Bank. Tire building was the main emphasis of the company known as the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio. There was a connection between Firestone tires and golf. Robert Trent Jones parlayed the work of Bertie Way into a real championship course. Jones rebuilt every green, added 50 bunkers and gave the lay out more length, stretching it to 7,180 yards having a par of 70. The new face lift reached world wide acclaim in 1960 when the PGA Championship was played on Firestone South. Every year since 1960 a high-profile professional golf event would be held at Firestone. The Akron, Ohio tournament would receive a new name: The American Golf Classic from 1961 to 1975. Then the event became known as the World Series of Golf until 1999 when the NEC Invitational was created as part of a "triple crown" of World Golf Championship.As a youngster growing up in Akron, Ohio I would observe the growth of the community and the golf course. Arnold Palmer wowed the crowds when he charged through the course in 1957 with a twelve under par to tie Doug Ford for the lead. On the sixth hole of sudden death the 27 year old from Latrobe, Pennsylvania chipped in from 20 feet to win!! The win was Arnold’s sixth PGA Tour Victory. Arnie had an army follow him and the excitement was contagious. Arnie won $2800.00 for First Place at the 1957 Rubber City Open. Palmer’s caddy was a worker from BF Goodrich and Arnie paid him $150.00 for his assistance. In 1956 Arnie had finished second after leading for three rounds so this victory was a huge lift for him. Dave Towell Cadillac would sell me my first Cadillac and little did I know that Dave Towell was a major volunteer at the Firestone tournaments. In fact Dave Towell has been a help to pro golf events in Akron, Ohio since 1960. Over 1,000 people volunteer for the tournament held at Firestone each year. This years event (2004 NEC Invitational) will be held August 17-22. The tournament this year is expected to raise over $1 million for local charities

Billy Florence and Orrin Woodward are also avid golfers.