Bridgestone Named New Title Sponsor at Firestone

Bridgestone agreed to become the new title sponsor of the World Golf Championships event at Firestone Country Club, the International Federation of PGA Tours announced on Sunday.

Bridgestone replaces NEC, which has been the title sponsor of this event since 1984. The NEC became part of the World Golf Championships series back in 1999 when the WGC series began.

‘We are pleased to welcome the Bridgestone brand as an umbrella sponsor of the World Golf Championships and as title sponsor of the Bridgestone Invitational,’ said PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem. ‘We look forward to a long-term relationship with the Bridgestone family of companies and a bright future for this championship.’

The sponsorship agreement between Bridgestone and the International Federation of PGA Tours guarantees that the event will remain at Firestone through 2010.

Bridgestone, well-known for its tires and other rubber products, expanded further into the golf community this year with the creation of its Bridgestone Golf division. Bridgestone has made golf balls for 70 years, but it wasn’t until 1983 when the Precept name came into the United States.

‘This is a very exciting time for the Bridgestone family of companies,’ said CEO and president of the Bridgestone Corporation Shigeo Watanabe. ‘We’re thrilled to be teaming with our Americas operations and our Bridgestone sports and golf divisions to sponsor such a prestigious event on the PGA Tour.’