Latest news with #FirestoneCountryClub
Forbes
24-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Kaulig Companies Keeps Golf—And Its Benefits—Coming To Northeast Ohio
Miguel Ángel Jiménez celebrates winning the 2025 Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country ... More Club. Getty Images Firestone Country Club has been a faithful fixture in professional golf since 1954. Whether it's hosted the Rubber City Open, World Series of Golf, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational or PGA Championship, Firestone and its iconic water tower are deeply woven into the fabric of pro golf. That rich history, including eight victories by Tiger Woods and his infamous 'Shot in the Dark,' were in jeopardy of fading away following the 2022 Bridgestone Senior Players Championship as the tournament and professional golf in Akron, Ohio, needed a new sponsor and spotlight. Just as Woods did 25 years ago, Matt Kaulig took a chance and it paid off. 'We had the opportunity to do it for the community,' said Kaulig, Kaulig Companies executive chairman and owner. 'It's really about the community and having a fun event. … You get to watch championship golf, have a blast and get to help people.' Kaulig Companies took over as tournament title sponsor in 2023 via a four-year deal through 2026. Not only has Kaulig Companies revitalized professional golf in Akron, more importantly, it continues to uplift the local community. While the year's event boasted a star-studded field headlined by six World Golf Hall of Fame members—Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, Padraig Harrington, Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie and Vijay Singh—and 17 PGA Tour major winners, the tournament has grown into more than just golf. With nightly concerts, food trucks and activities aplenty, the Kaulig Companies Championship is more like an annual county fair in Northeast Ohio than golf tournament. 'Matt Kaulig and (Kaulig Companies president and CEO) Tim Clepper are locals in the Akron community and they want to make a difference day in and day out, year round in the Akron community,' PGA Tour Champions president Miller Brady said. 'That's really the reason why I think Matt wanted to step up and support the tournament as title sponsor—it was to make sure that that was taking place and they could give back to the community through the golf tournament, and oh, by the way, let's have a little fun along the way.' Coming into this year's event, the Kaulig Companies Championship has raised more than $2.6 million for 30+ local charities including Akron Children's Hospital, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, LeBron James Family Foundation and First Tee - Greater Akron. A cocktail reception and fundraising dinner are also held annually during the tournament to present the Ambassador of Golf Award. Three-time Grammy-winning artist Darius Rucker was honored this year for his contributions to the game, joining an esteemed list including Jack Nicklaus, Condoleezza Rice, Nancy Lopez and Steph Curry. Road to Rubber City A former college football player, Matt Kaulig launched Kaulig Racing in 2016. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Matt Kaulig isn't originally from Akron, the community he holds so near and dear to his heart. It wasn't until he attended the University of Akron on a football scholarship that Kaulig, who was born in Columbus, raised in Cincinnati and attended high school in Chicago, started to revere the Rubber City. After graduating college, Matt and his wife Lisa established their roots in Northeast Ohio. It was from the basement of their home where Matt founded LeafFilter Gutter Protection in 2005. The company grew into Leaf Home, one of the largest direct to consumer home products companies in the United States and Canada, as Kaulig's roots in Akron continued to spread. He founded Kaulig Companies, his single member family office, which owns and operates brands across five verticals including sports and entertainment, marketing and event management, finance and financial services, consumer products, and philanthropy. Kaulig wasn't done there. Founded in 2016, Kaulig Racing fields multiple cars in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series. In June 2022, Kaulig joined a group of investors led by David Blitzer that purchased a 25% ownership stake in the Cleveland Guardians. As Kaulig builds out his empire, Akron remains at the core of everything he does. The Kaulig Companies Charitable Giving Programs known as Kaulig Giving has partnered with nearly 300 non-profit organizations since 2018. 'Somebody has to make the community better,' Kaulig said. 'Somebody has to get involved. Somebody has to be a leader in the community and that's what we try to do in Akron.' Getting into Golf Matt Kaulig (left) poses with 2024 Kaulig Companies Championship winner Ernie Els. PGA TOUR As someone who loves golf, Kaulig has traveled to a lot of tournaments and courses. When the opportunity to take over as the presenting sponsor of the event in his own backyard came up, Kaulig couldn't think of anyone better to step up to the plate—or tee box. Not just wanting to slap their name on the PGA Tour Champions major, which awards the winner exemption to the following year's Players' Championship at TPC Sawgrass, Kaulig set out to grow and evolve the tournament. Introducing other elements and activities to complement the golf made the week-long tournament a week-long party that not only attracts golf fans, but anyone in the region looking for a fun evening out. 'We always want a title sponsor that's engaged because if you have one that's not engaged, then there's no enthusiasm and no passion to make things better,' Brady said. 'They are fully engaged. They have different ideas they want to try. Sometimes things work, sometimes things don't and that's OK. We're going to take the things that work and make them bigger and better, and the ones that don't, we throw them off to the side and come up with new ideas. 'That's what's great about Kaulig Companies—they're willing to try anything and everything to have fun and support the tournament and the players while supporting the community.' Just prior to this year's event, Kaulig teamed up with Els, whose son, Ben, is on the autism spectrum, to celebrate the future home of the Tom and Jill Zidian Family Autism Center at Akron Children's Hospital. The day after Miguel Ángel Jiménez defeated Steven Alker in a playoff to hoist this year's trophy, Kaulig Companies was at the 46th Annual Michael Clegg Memorial Pro-Am Golf Tournament to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio. 'This is what Kaulig does—they don't want to just donate to a cause, they want to be involved with your cause,' said PGA Tour Champions professional Dicky Pride. 'They're now the title sponsor of this Pro-Am. … Every single one of these charities they do the same thing: 'We don't want to help, we want to be involved and help you long term.' That's just amazing.' While the current Kaulig Companies Championship sponsorship deal expires after next year's event, unsurprisingly, Akron's favorite adopted son confirmed he's interested in continuing his role leading the charge for change. 'We'd love nothing more than to continue the event,' Kaulig said. 'It's become bigger and bigger every year. Honestly, I think we're getting more and more people and companies involved in Northeast Ohio, so I think it will be a collaboration moving forward that makes an impact. 'We have every intention—100%—of continuing to have the tournament at Firestone.'
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Live updates, scores from final round at Kaulig Companies Championship
With scorching conditions expected at Firestone Country Club, the heat is on for the final round of the 2025 Kaulig Companies Championship. Braving temperatures in the 90s, leaders Miguel Angel Jiménez and Steven Alker hit the course at 8 under, sitting two strokes ahead of the field. Advertisement The final round will tee off at 11:15 a.m., with the final group teeing off at 1:21 p.m. Here are live updates from the course: Steven Alker of New Zealand, right, shakes hands with Tim Petrovic of Austin, Texas after finishing tied for first during the third round of the 2025 Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club, Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Akron, Ohio. Cink scores birdie to try to stay with leaders at Kaulig Companies Championship Stewart Cink moved the 3 under for his round though 10 holes, but still has work to do if he wants to catch the leaders. Stewart's birdie at No. 10 moved him to 7 under for the tournament, four strokes behind leader Steven Alker. Wright drops a shot, sits behind leaders at Kaulig Companies Championship Australian's Michael Wright's hopes of a come-from-behind victory at Firestone seem to be fading fast. Advertisement Wright bogeyed the par 3 seventh hole, dropping to even par for the round. He sits with Stewart Cink and Freddie Jacobson at 6 under, five strokes behind leader Steve Alken. Alker birdies No. 6 to take lead at Kaulig Companies Championship Steven Alker's third hot start of the tournament has pushed into sole possession of the lead at Firestone Country Club. Alken birdied the par 4 sixth hole, his third birdie in six holes, to move into first at 11 under for the tournament. Miguel Angel Jiménez remains at 10 under, one stroke back. Freddy Jacobson tries to stay with leaders at Kaulig Companies Championship After a bit a of rough start, Sweden's Freddie Jacobson has clawed his way back into the top three. Advertisement Jacobson bogeyed No. 2, but came back with birdies on No. 3 and No. 5 to move to 7 under through five holes. He sits tied with Michael Wright in third place, three strokes behind the two leaders. Alker, Jiménez battling atop leaderboard at Kaulig Companies Championship The two leader are starting to put some space between themselves and the field at Firestone Country Club Steven Alker and Miguel Angel Jiménez each birdied two of the first three holes to move to 10 under early in the final found. Michael Wright sits three strokes back at 7 under through three holes. Steven Alken keeps pace with leader at Kaulig Companies Championship All week Firestone, when the leaders have made a move, New Zealand's Steven Alker has answered. Advertisement That trend continues as Alker birdied the second hole to pull even with Miguel Angel Jiménez for the tournament at 9 under. Stewart Cink starts hot at Kaulig Companies Championship Stewart Cink has started the final round hot at Firestone Country Club, scoring birdies on two of the first three holes. Cink moved to 6 under for the tournament, three strokes behind leader Miguel Angel Jiménez. Miguel Angel Jiménez opens with birdie at Kaulig Companies Championship Spain's Miguel Angle Jiménez' quest for a third PGA Tour Champions major got off to a perfect start. Jiménez birdied the first hole to move to 9 under, one stroke ahead of Steven Alker. Advertisement Australian Richard Green also birdied the first hole. He moved into the group at 6 under with Freddie Jacobson and Michael Wright. Final group on the course at Kaulig Companies Championship The final round at Firestone has begun in earnest as the leaders have hit the course. Miguel Angel Jiménez (-8), Steven Alker (-8) and Michael Wright (-6) have teed off. Alker and Jiménez surged into the lead third round. Last year, the winning score was -10 by Ernie Els. The entire field is on the course as it is above 90 degrees. Leading groups hitting the course at Kaulig Companies Championship The contenders are starting to hit the course at Firestone. Advertisement The 12:49 p.m. trio contains the first three golfers that start under par for the tournament, as Mark Hensby (-2), Ricardo Gonzalez (-2) and Justin Leonard (-1) take the course. The final group will tee off at 1:21 p.m. Opening trios tee off at final round of Kaulig Companies Championship The first two trios are on the course at Firestone County Club. Cameron Percy, Gene Sauers and Tim O'Neal are off from hole No. 1, while Joe Durant, Thongchai Jaidee and Hiroyuki Fujita teed off from hole No. 10. The final trio will tee off at 1:21 p.m. Weather update for final round of Kaulig Companies Championship It looks to be the hottest day of the year thus far at Firestone Country Club. Advertisement Temperatures already are in the high 80s and predicted to move of to 93 with plenty of sunshine. Wind may be a factor with winds out the southwest at 10 to 15 mph. What is the schedule for the final round of the Kaulig Companies Championship? The final round begins at 11:20 a.m. with trios teeing off from holes No. 1 and 10. Doug Barron, Chad Campbell and Ángel Cabrera will tee off from No. 1, while Kirk Triplett, Billy Mayfair and Stuart Appleby will tee off from No. 10. The South Course at Firestone will play as a par 70 with a total distance of 7,248 yards. Live coverage of the final round will be broadcast on Golf Channel at 3 p.m. Miguel Angel Jiménez of Spain takes a look at No. 15 during the third round of the 2025 Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club, Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Akron, Ohio. What does the leaderboard look like after Round 3 for the Kaulig Companies Championship? Here are the top five golfers heading into the final round: Advertisement Miguel Angel Jiménez: -8, 70-66-66 Steven Alker: -8, 68-67-67 Michael Wright: -6, 72-66-66 Freddie Jacobson: -6, 70-67-67 Richard Green: -5, 71-67-67 This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Live scores, updates from final round at Kaulig Companies Championship
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Live updates, recap from Day 1 at Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone
Weather concerns dominated Day 1 at Firestone Country Club. Round one of the 2025 Kaulig Companies Championship was beset by rain, heavy winds and a lightning delay midway through the round. Two golfers who handled the conditions after the stoppage sit atop the leader board. Miguel Jiménez of Spain cruise down the No. 5 fairway during the first round of the 2025 Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Akron, Ohio. Denmark's Søren Kjeldsen and Argentina's Ricardo Gonzalez each defied the conditions to shoot 3-under rounds of 67 to finish as co-leaders. Advertisement Kjeldsen scored three birdies on the back nine. "I love this golf course," he said. "I can't remember how many times I've been here, but it's always been a treat. I scrambled well today. I do like playing in tough conditions. I do like playing with wind and rain, so have to battle a little bit." After playing his front nine 1 over, Gonzalez smoked the back nine with five birdies and a bogey. He said his putting was key. "I think it was fair all day," Gonzalez said. "Today, I played good, not from the tee, but from the second shot on." Behind the leaders were more international flavor. New Zealand's Steven Alker, South Africa's Retief Goosen and Atlanta's Stewart Cink each were 2-under 68, one stroke behind the leaders. Advertisement Defending champion Ernie Els finished round one at 2 over. The second round will tee off at 11 a.m. June 20. Here are live updates from round one. Stewart Cink of Atlanta, Georgia takes his second shot onto the No. 7 green during the first round of the 2025 Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Akron, Ohio. Ricardo Gonzalez finishes strong, ties for lead at Kaulig Companies Championship Argentina's Ricardo Gonzalez blitzed the back nine of his round, finishing with five birdies and one bogey after going out with 1 over. He finished with a 3-under score of 67, tying with Søren Kjeldsen for the first-round lead. All golfers have completed round one. Søren Kjeldsen finishes at 3-under, Steven Alken at 2-under at Kaulig Companies Championship After 18 blustery holes in Akron, two international championship are atop the leaderboard. Advertisement Denmark's Søren Kjeldsen finished with three birdies on the back nine to finish with a 3-under round of 67. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Steven Alker had a tougher back nine with two bogies, but still came home with 2-under 68. Those two are one-two in the clubhouse with about 18 golfers left on the course. Steven Alker of New Zealand watches his shot from the No. 11 fairway in a steady rain during the first round of the 2025 Kaulig Companies Championship at Firestone Country Club, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Akron, Ohio. Søren Kjeldsen pulls into second at Kaulig Companies Championship Denmark's Søren Kjeldsen birdies the 17th hole at the Firestone Country Club. He sits one stroke behind leader Stewart Cink with one hole to go. Cink leads, Alken drops a shot at Kaulig Companies Championship A strong back nine from Stewart Cink has him with a two-shot lead near the end of round one at Firestone Country Club. Advertisement Cink just missed his third straight birdie on the par 4 sixth hole, but tapped in for par. Meanwhile, Steven Alker had his par putt on the 17th hole lip out, dropping him to 2-under and giving Cink the two-stroke lead. Stewart Cink takes lead at Kaulig Companies Championship Two straight birdies have propelled Stuart Cink to the lead at Firestone Country Club. Following his birdie at hole No. 5, Cink sunk a long putt on the par 3 fifth hole. He takes the lead after Steven Alker had his birder putt lip out on the 16th hole. Stewart Cink ties leader at Kaulig Companies Championship Former British Open champion Stewart Cink has played his way to the top of the leaderboard at Firestone. Advertisement Cink sunk a birdie on the par 4 fourth hole. That combined with a bogey on the 15th by Steven Alker to tie the pair at 3-under. Both golfers have four holes remaining. Alker leads by two heading down the stretch at Kaulig Companies Championship New Zealand's Steven Alker continues to lead at Firestone Country Club, as he has a two-stroke lead through 14 holes. Alker sits at 4-under for the round, two strokes ahead of group of five golfers. Vijay Singh, Stewart Cink, Søren Kjeldsen, Miguel Angel Jiménez and Steve Fleich all sit at 2-under. Cameron Percy comes in under par at Kaulig Companies Championship Australia's Cameron Percy finished with the first under par round of the day. Percy shot a 1-under 69, sinking four birdies and three bogies in the round. Tom Pernice Jr. takes clubhouse lead at Kaulig Companies Championship The first six golfers of the day are in the clubhouse. Advertisement Sitting with the lead after 18 holes is Tom Pernice Jr. He shot an even par round of 70 despite a bogey on the par 4 18th hole. Steven Alken remains the leader on the course at 4 under. First groups approaching final holes at Kaulig Companies Championship With horizontal rain buffeting the course, the opening groups from the morning as approaching the final holes. Steven Alken remains on top at 4-under through 11 holes, while Miguel Angel Jiménez sits at 3-under through eight holes. Steven Alken extends lead at Kaulig Companies Championship The hour-long lightning delay did not stop the momentum for the tournament leader at Firestone County Club. Advertisement Steven Alken birdied the par 4 ninth hole and made the turn at 4-under, putting him two strokes ahead of the field. Play resumes at Kaulig Companies Championship With the lightning passed, the golfers are back at it, hoping to complete Round 1 at Firestone Country Club. New Zealand's Steven Alker has the lead at 3-under through eight holes. Play to resume at 2:50 p.m. at Kaulig Companies Championship The PGA Tour announced the weather delay will be for an hour, as play will resume at 2:50 p.m. Weather forces play suspension at Kaulig Companies Championship The weather has been windy all day, but the rains have arrived in earnest. At 1:50 p.m. Firestone Country Club suspended play due to inclement weather. Awaiting word on how long the suspension will last. Singh, Jiménez among leaders at Kaulig Companies Championship Some famous names are one the leaderboard as Round 1 of the Kaulig Companies Championship hits the halfway mark. Advertisement Vijay Singh and Miguel Angel Jiménez among a group sitting at 2-under through eight holes. Steven Alker takes lead at Kaulig Companies Championship One the PGA Tour Champions best players has the lead at Firestone Country Club. Steve Alker moved into the lead at 3-under following a birdie at the par three 7th hole. Ailker sits Charles Schwab Cup standing, having won the Cologuard Classic earlier this season. Boo Weekly moves into lead at Kaulig Companies Championship Under cloudy skies at Firestone Country Club, a new leader has emerged. Boo Weekly leads the field at 3-under through seven holes. After starting on the 10th hole, Weekly birdied the 10th, 14th and 16th hole to take the early lead. All golfers on the course at Kaulig Companies Championship With the trios from the 12:06 p.m. groups having teed off, the entire field is now on South Course at Firestone Country Club. Advertisement Billy Mayfair maintains the early lead, shooting 2-under through seven holes. Defending champion Ernie Els on the course at Kaulig Companies Championship "The Big Easy" is back to defend his title. Ernie Els teed off from hole No. 1, along with Hall of Famer Bernhard Langer and Ángel Cabrera, who has won two PGA Tour Champions majors already this season. Teeing off with the 11:55 group was Miguel Angel Jiménez, the leader on this year's Charles Schwab Cup standings. On the course, Billy Mayfair has the early lead at 2-under through seven holes. John Daly on the course at Kaulig Companies Championship "Big John" is in the swing. Advertisement John Daly teed off at 10:31 a.m. along with Thongchai Jaidee and Harrison Frazar from tee No.10. On the course, John Huston, Brand Jobe and Rod Pampling all sit at 1-under early. Opening trios tee off at Kaulig Companies Championship The opening trios have teed off here at Firestone. It's Kirk Triplett, Paul Stankowski and Tom Pernice Jr. teeing off on the first hole. while Matt Gogel, Bob Estes and John Husted are on the course on hole 10. For those wondering, defending champion Ernie Else and two-time major winner Angel Cabrera will tee off from hole 1 at 11:31 a.m. Weather forecast for Round 1 of the Kaulig Companies Championship It's a wet, windy morning here at Firestone Country Club. Advertisement Last night's storms have passed, but scattered rain is expected through afternoon. Wind gusts of up to 30 mph. Temperatures will be in the lower 70s today. What is the schedule for the Kaulig Companies Championship? Rounds 1 and 2 of the tournament will tee off a 10 a.m. with trios starting from holes 1 and 10. The South Course at Firestone will play as a par 70 with a total distance of 7,248 yards. For those not able to attend, tape delay coverage of rounds 1 and 2 will be broadcast on Golf Channel at 9 p.m. Who is the defending champion? Who is in the field? South African golf legend Ernie Els won the 2024 Kaulig Companies Championship to claim his first Champions Tour major. He won with a 10-under score of 270. Advertisement Els is one of the six World Golf Hall of Fame members in the field. He is joined by Retief Goosen, Padraig Harrington, Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie and Vijay Singh. Harrington is making his debut at the Kaulig Companies Championship. Tour leader Miguel Angel Jiménez and Ángel Cabrera, who won the first two Champions Tour major championships, also will compete. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Live scores, recap from Day 1 at Kaulig Companies Championship
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Conner Smith cancels shows after fatal crosswalk car accident
Country singer Conner Smith, who accidentally struck and killed a 77-year-old woman walking in a crosswalk on June 8, cancelled his upcoming show at the Military Appreciation Concert at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, on June 20, reported People. "As Conner Smith takes time to privately process recent events, he will unfortunately not be performing in Akron on June 20. We appreciate your understanding and continued support during this difficult time," his team said in a statement, as per the outlet. He was also scheduled to perform at the Buckeye Country Superfest on June 21. On June 16, the festival announced on X that he would no longer perform. "Conner Smith will, unfortunately, not be performing this weekend. Vincent Mason will be joining us at The Shoe in his place," the post read, reported People. Although he cancelled his shows in June, Smith is still scheduled to perform several shows from July to November. Justin Beiber posts weepy picture of Orlando Bloom On June 8, Smith was driving a Chevrolet pickup truck when he hit Dorothy Dobbins as she was crossing the roadway inside a marked crosswalk, per a release shared by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, reported People. After the incident, Dobbins was taken to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she later died, as per the outlet. "The preliminary contributing factor for this crash appears to be Smith failing to yield the right of way to the pedestrian," the release said. "He showed no signs of impairment." As of June 10, police said the investigation was ongoing and there are no charges against Smith. At the time, Smith's attorney shared that he was "involved in a car accident that tragically claimed a life." "His heart goes out to Ms. Dobbins' family during this incredibly difficult time," the statement continued. "Mr. Smith continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation." Meanwhile, a source added that the incident was an accident and Smith was not under the influence nor distracted by his phone, reported People.
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
50 years ago Jack Nicklaus, tangled with Firestone before winning PGA Championship
50 years ago Jack Nicklaus, tangled with Firestone before winning PGA Championship Jack Nicklaus's affection for Firestone Country Club knew no bounds. He turned the club's South Course into his personal playground, winning seven of his 73 career PGA Tour titles there, none more memorable than the 1975 PGA Championship. "I wanted this one badly," Nicklaus said. "Playing so close to home, you feel the weight of every shot." A native Ohioan, Nicklaus won at Firestone more than he did at Augusta National, but his win total was topped by Tiger Woods, who captured eight victories there before the course shifted to hosting a PGA Tour Champions event, the Kaulig Companies Championship. In 2018, Nicklaus joked that if he had known Tiger would surpass his win total there, he would have teed it up more at the historic venue. Why did Nicklaus own such an impressive record at Firestone, regarded as one of the fiercest tests in golf? He credited a comfort level at Ohio courses, calling it a course that demanded long drives and a precise iron game, which favored his strengths, and an uptick in support. 'I enjoyed playing in front of family, in front of friends, and close to home,' he said. 'And that's where I started.' Firestone was where Nicklaus first became acquainted with the professional tournament game, at the age of 18, making his PGA Tour debut at the 1958 Rubber City Open. That week, Nicklaus and his then girlfriend, now longtime wife, Barbara, drove every day to Akron and back to Columbus, Ohio, where they were students at Ohio State University. 'We drove about an hour and 45 minutes every day,' Nicklaus said. 'I couldn't stay up there with her. Yeah, that was not acceptable.' It was practically unheard of how well he played as a teen against the pros, a harbinger of what was to come. Nicklaus raced out of the gates with rounds of 67-66 at the par-70 layout and sat in third place behind Art Wall and reigning U.S. Open champion Tommy Bolt, who taught Nicklaus a lesson in the art of gamesmanship the next day when they were paired together. 'He put his arm around me as we walked off the first tee and said, 'Jack, don't you worry about anything, old Tommy will take care of you out here.' He was giving me the old needle to get rid of young kids,' Nicklaus said. 'I proceeded to miss a bunch of short putts and I shot 41 on the front nine and Tommy never bothered to put his arm around my shoulder again. … I shot 76.' Nicklaus fired a closing 68, playing with Julius Boros, another future member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, and finishing 15th. Nicklaus resumed his college and amateur career with a boost of confidence. 'The impression I took was that I probably could survive in that arena if I wanted to, and that I would probably enjoy it if I ever made such a decision,' he recalled. 'I learned that golf was really a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed playing with those guys and that I wanted to get better at the game, so I could compete against them.' By the 1975 PGA Championship, Nicklaus already was 35 years old and had won a major in the Buckeye state, victorious at the 1973 PGA Championship at Canterbury Golf Club. Seventeen years after his Tour debut in the 'Rubber City' and 13 triumphs in the majors later, Nicklaus was licking his chops to play at Firestone, the 7,180-yard host of the 57th PGA Championship and site of a major for the third time in 15 years. Robert Trent Jones Sr. had renovated the famed layout ahead of hosting the 1960 PGA Championship and Nicklaus had underwhelmed in finishing T-22 at the 1966 PGA there. He'd already won the World Series of Golf four times as well as the American Golf Classic here. With opening rounds of 70 and 68, Nicklaus trailed Bruce Crampton, who was forced to leave the tour for six weeks earlier in the year with a back injury, by four shots. Seventy-one players made the weekend at 8-over 148 and were chasing Crampton, who stood at 6-under 134. The wiry Australian's second-round 63 at the narrow, tree-lined layout set the Firestone (South) course record and at the time established the lowest round in Championship history. 'It's an honor to be leading the PGA Championship,' Crampton said. 'I just wish it was Sunday night and I had a three-stroke lead. That about sums it up.' But on Saturday, Crampton's game returned to Earth and Nicklaus made his move. He picked up five shots in the first seven holes, including rolling in a 25-foot birdie at the par-3 seventh, to assume the lead and never relinquished it. But there was at least one dicey moment that nearly flipped the tournament on its head. 'I think the memory that sticks out most is making a par at 16, when it didn't look like I would,' Nicklaus said. That's because his drive during the third round at the 625-yard, par-5, known for its relentless length and difficulty, steered left and into a creek and resulted in a one-stroke penalty. Arnold Palmer had carded a disastrous triple bogey at the hole during the 1960 PGA, earning the nickname the 'Monster,' and a plaque is positioned on the bridge near the 16th green in honor of Palmer's playful moniker. Would the Monster sink its teeth into Nicklaus after he dropped near the water, and spoil his pursuit of victory too? 'It's a little dish over there,' Nicklaus said. 'All I could do was hit it out to the right.' Unfortunately, his 6-iron flew too far right and his third shot strayed into more trouble, coming to rest behind a looming maple tree 135 yards out. Nicklaus faced a daunting task for his fourth shot on the hole. He had to hoist his ball over the 30-foot-tall tree from a spot of bother and carry the pond fronting the turtle-shell shaped green. Nicklaus could hear ABC's Bob Rosberg, the former PGA Championship winner, whispering his commentary. 'I overheard him say, 'Well, he's dead here; He's got absolutely no chance. I don't know what he's going to do.' And I went ahead and just hit it right over the top of the tree, on the green,' Nicklaus recalled. Chris Schenkel, ABC's lead commentator in the booth, was duly impressed, especially after Nicklaus poured in the 30-foot putt for an improbable par. 'Jack Nicklaus has just demonstrated what separates him from other golfers,' he said. Nicklaus charged ahead with a 67, while Crampton soared to 75 for an eight-shot swing, giving Nicklaus a four-shot lead going into the final round. Spotting the Golden Bear that big of a lead usually didn't end well for his competitors. After an up-and-down beginning with two bogeys and a birdie in his first three holes, Nicklaus skated along with a string of pars and added a birdie at No. 11. Nicklaus sank a 20-foot birdie at 15 while Crampton took three putts at 15, missing from less than 3 feet for par, when he could ill afford it. That stretched the lead back to four strokes and sealed the deal for Nicklaus. A double bogey at the last just trimmed the final margin to two, leaving Crampton a bridesmaid to Nicklaus for the fourth time in a major. 'We all suffer from human deficiencies; Jack Nicklaus just suffers from fewer of them,' said Crampton, who would win 14 Tour titles and another 20 times on the Champions Tour. 'He wouldn't have made a six at the last hole if he'd needed something better.' Nicklaus was asked by Golf Digest's Dan Jenkins if that were true, what Crampton had said. 'I wouldn't have,' he said, winking. A Hall of Fame cast, including, fellow Buckeye Tom Weiskopf, Billy Casper, Hale Irwin, Gene Littler and Tom Watson, all made runs at the title but came up short, finishing in the top 10. Nicklaus signed for a final-round 71 and a 72-hole total of 4-under 276, pushing his string of PGA Championship victories to four — one shy of Walter Hagen's record, which he'd tie in 1980 – and his 14th career major title at the time. It capped off a major season in which he also won the Masters and lost the U.S. and British Opens by a total of three strokes. In case anyone needed to be reminded that Nicklaus was in a class by himself, he served notice once more. 'On the golf course, Jack reminds me of the eye of a storm,' his longtime caddie Angelo Argea once wrote. 'While all around him nerves are splintering and egos are being shattered, he is incredibly calm, at peace with himself in the knowledge of his ability and his past achievements, and in the knowledge that, win or lose, life will go on.' Sons Steve and Jackie joined Barbara on the green for a family picture with the Wanamaker Trophy. During his acceptance speech, Nicklaus thanked officials, sponsors, the superintendent, fans and then Argea, who was raised 15 miles away in Canton and learned to caddie at a nearby course. Argea strutted out on the green, waving to the spectators and went to grab the microphone from Nicklaus, who whispered to him to take a seat. 'I don't have to tell you that I turned the color of an over-ripe tomato injected with Red Dye No. 2,' he recalled in his autobiography 'The Bear and I.' This was Nicklaus's moment to take a bow and 50 years later he hasn't forgotten the time a Golden Bear handled the Monster and roared to victory at the 1975 PGA Championship.
