Kaulig Companies is new title sponsor

For a although, the economical motivation expected for Kaulig Providers to develop into the title sponsor of the PGA Tour Champions’ Senior Players Championship was daunting.

“On first blush, individuals would say, ‘Oh, let us pass because, you know, it fees some income,’” stated Tim Clepper, president and CEO of Kaulig Companies.

But then Clepper and Executive Chairman Matt Kaulig thought about the memories they’d now produced at Firestone State Club.

Kaulig, 49, a Cincinnati native, played quarterback at the University of Akron from 1992-95, married a Zips cheerleader, and set his corporate headquarters in the region. He was a tournament volunteer through his UA days, driving a van at the prestigious PGA Tour function.

“My earliest point was Davis Really like III was in our auto and we just thought that was the coolest detail ever,” Kaulig mentioned.

Clepper, 47, brought his sons when they ended up babies, remembering the day Zach Johnson flipped his 3-calendar year-previous a golf ball. Even though a university student at Kent State, he and his father made it “our thing” to show up at the Bridgestone Invitational, gained by Tiger Woods 8 periods.

“It’s these type of reminiscences that we have in our individual yard that we’re excited to acquire to the following stage,” Clepper stated

The event’s philanthropic goals, shared by Kaulig Businesses, sealed the deal.

It was introduced Wednesday that Kaulig Firms will supplant Bridgestone as the title sponsor of the Senior Players Championship with a four-yr agreement commencing in 2023.

Kaulig Companies’ sponsorship will retain the event at Firestone by way of at the very least 2026. Bridgestone will carry on to be a partner in the function, in accordance to Miller Brady, president of PGA Tour Champions.

The announcement was created through media working day for the 2022 Bridgestone Senior Gamers, established for July 7-10, 2022. Among the those attending ended up Akron mayor Dan Horrigan and Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro.

This year, a field of 79 will compete for a $3 million purse in the 72-hole party. The 2023 match will be held July 13-16.

Don Padgett III, govt director of the Bridgestone Senior Gamers, explained Kaulig Businesses will be only the 3rd title sponsor in seven a long time of tournament golf at Firestone, signing up for NEC and Bridgestone.

“And when we say 70 years, we’re the fourth longest-working venue of consecutive qualified golfing in the place,” Padgett explained. “The other venues are Augusta National, Pebble Seaside and Colonial in Ft. Worthy of, so that’s quite great corporation to be in.”

By means of Northern Ohio Golf Charities, qualified golfing at Firestone has given over $30 million to location will cause. Clepper reported Akron’s I Assure School, started by LeBron James, and the Cystic Fibrosis Basis are amongst the 150 charities Kaulig Companies have supported. Kaulig reported he and his spouse Lisa will serve as chairs of Akron Children’s Hospital’s Stroll for Babies this calendar year.

Clepper and Kaulig had no strategy they were signing on for the 70th anniversary in 2023.

“That’s a big deal,” Clepper explained.

“When Don claimed that today, 70 straight yrs, it is specific and it’s a duty that we consider very severely,” Kaulig reported. “Bridgestone has been unbelievable for the neighborhood and for this match above the previous 16 several years. We want to choose it to an additional degree and be good and make Akron very pleased.”

Firestone hosted the PGA Tour’s World Golfing Championships-Bridgestone Invitational from 2006-2018 prior to the event moved to Memphis, Tennessee, underneath the sponsorship of FedEx. With Bridgestone’s continued aid, Akron was then awarded a person of the Champions Tour’s five senior majors. Steve Stricker (2021), Jerry Kelly (2020), and Retief Goosen (2019) have captured titles at the legendary South Program.

Kaulig Firms Minimal is the single-member household workplace (SFO) for Kaulig and his immediate spouse and children. Its business enterprise platforms consist of sporting activities and entertainment, marketing and advertising and celebration administration, non-public fairness, true estate and investment decision advisory solutions.

Its sports passions involve Kaulig Racing, a NASCAR Cup Collection and Xfinity Series staff. Now it will extend its footprint into golfing.

“If it was a golf match in Florida, I really do not feel it would have as much desire,” Kaulig said. “We do like sports activities, the enjoyment of sports activities, and what it can do for us. We have NASCAR and that’s all about sponsorship and your logoed up all over the place. Just to have our name as the title sponsor, the title of the golf event correct here in Akron is definitely unique to us.”

Clepper sees broad marketing options with the interactions Kaulig Businesses has made.

“We can deliver partners collectively, new companions listed here to this party, which will finally help us raise money for the charities in the group,” Clepper explained. “Ultimately this is a charity event and the far more brand names and good friends and admirers that we can provide to this match, the extra cash we can increase, the far more cash we can give back.”