LeBron James Partners With PGA Tour to Expand Youth Access to Golf/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ LeBron James and the PGA Tour will stage a two-day tournament at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, focused on youth access, mentorship and aspiring professional golfers. The LeBron James Family Foundation Invitational will connect students from James’ “I Promise” program with college players pursuing opportunities on the APGA Tour. The July 6-7 event will also preserve the PGA Tour’s presence at Firestone following the end of the historic course’s 72-year run hosting tour events.
Quick Look
- The event will take place July 6-7 at Firestone Country Club.
- Competition will be held on Firestone’s South course.
- It will be called the LeBron James Family Foundation Invitational.
- “I Promise” students will receive golf exposure and mentorship.
- Aspiring professionals from the Pro-Bound Five program will participate.
- The event will create opportunities connected to the APGA Tour.
- The APGA Tour was established to expand opportunities for minority golfers.
- James recently launched a YouTube channel focused on golf.
- Firestone hosted PGA Tour events for 72 years.
- Tiger Woods won eight World Golf Championship titles at Firestone.
Deep Look
LeBron James partners with PGA Tour
ATLANTA — LeBron James is expanding his growing interest in golf through a partnership with the PGA Tour that will bring a youth-focused, two-day tournament to his hometown of Akron, Ohio.
The LeBron James Family Foundation Invitational will be played July 6-7 on the South course at Firestone Country Club.
The event will combine competition, youth programming and mentorship while providing aspiring professionals with opportunities to advance their careers.
It will also maintain a PGA Tour connection to Firestone after the historic course’s 72-year run hosting tour events recently ended.
Invitational connects students with aspiring professionals
The tournament will connect students participating in James’ “I Promise” program with golfers who advanced through the PGA Tour’s Pathway to Progression Pro-Bound Five.
That initiative creates opportunities for college golfers to compete on the Advocates Professional Golf Association circuit.
The event is designed both to introduce children to golf through community programming and to help developing players move closer to professional competition.
James describes golf as a growing passion
James, who recently signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, has become increasingly involved in golf.
He launched a YouTube channel devoted to the sport, beginning with a golf trip to Scotland alongside former Cleveland Cavaliers teammates.
“Golf has become a passion of mine, and I’ve seen firsthand how the game can open doors, build relationships and create opportunities that many kids don’t even know exist,” James said in a statement.
“This partnership with the PGA Tour gives my foundation a chance to introduce my ‘I Promise’ students and more people to the game at a young age, support talented athletes chasing their dreams, and continue investing in the city of Akron that means everything to me.”
“I Promise” supports Akron families
James created the “I Promise” program to serve students and families throughout the Akron area.
The initiative provides educational programs, resources and other forms of support intended to help students succeed in school and beyond.
Through the Firestone event, participating children will be introduced to golf and the educational, professional and social opportunities associated with the sport.
The tournament will also give students direct access to mentors pursuing careers in professional golf.
APGA Tour expands opportunities for minority golfers
The Advocates Professional Golf Association Tour began in 2010 to create more competitive opportunities for minority players, particularly Black golfers.
The pathway program connected to James’ invitational is intended to help college players earn places on the APGA circuit and continue developing professionally.
The event’s combination of youth outreach and player development reflects a broader goal of diversifying golf at both grassroots and competitive levels.
PGA Tour says golf can change lives
PGA Tour CEO and Commissioner Brian Rolapp said the partnership reflects shared values between the organization and James’ foundation.
“The PGA Tour believes golf can create opportunity, change lives and bring communities together,” Rolapp said. “LeBron and the LeBron James Family Foundation have shown what is possible when that commitment is backed by action, and this partnership brings that shared vision to life.”
Rolapp also said the invitational would allow the PGA Tour to maintain a presence at Firestone.
Firestone has a long PGA Tour history
Firestone Country Club became part of the professional golf landscape with the 1954 Rubber City Open.
The Akron course later hosted two PGA Championships, the World Series of Golf and a World Golf Championship event.
Tiger Woods won at Firestone eight times during his career.
The course most recently hosted a PGA Tour Champions major, but organizers announced that the event would move to California after this year.
The LeBron James Family Foundation Invitational will begin a new chapter for the property by combining its professional golf history with youth outreach and player development.
Foundation aims to preserve golf’s Akron presence
Michele Campbell, executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation, said the event would support diverse golfers and expose more Akron children to the sport.
“The LeBron James Family Foundation is very proud to be part of preserving the PGA Tour’s presence in our community,” Campbell said.
“With this event, we’re excited to not only support more diverse golfers getting into the game, but to also expose our ‘I Promise’ students and more youth in Akron to the world of possibilities that golf opens up.”
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