This year marks the end of an era at Akron’s iconic Firestone Country Club. As the Senior Players Championship moves to California next year – leaving Firestone without a tournament for the first time since the Rubber City Open in 1954 – questions remain about the future of professional golf in Akron. Aside from bringing in millions of spectators, the PGA Tour’s presence in the city was a driver for more than $34 million in charitable giving.
Join the Akron Press Club for a luncheon featuring remarks from Danielle Robertson Thompson, Executive Director of the Northern Ohio Golf & Charities Foundation.
Thompson will discuss how the foundation plans to transition its tournament volunteers and donors to other community initiatives and charity outings. She’ll also share how the organization will continue to work alongside Firestone on new ways to celebrate Akron's golf legacy. There will be an opportunity for questions from the audience.
<< Register online >>
Event info:
Program: Future of Professional Golf in Akron
Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Time: Doors open at 11 a.m. Lunch begins at 11:30. Speech begins at noon, followed by questions from the audience.
Place: 1201 East Market St. Akron, OH, 44305. The entrance is located a few doors down from Eighty-Three Brewery, in the former Goodyear Hall space.
Cost: $35 per individual; $280 for a table of eight. Fast and easy online registration.
Or contact the Press Club administrator, Emily Henthorn, at akronpressclub@gmail.com.
Advance sale tickets only.
Reservation deadline: Friday, August 14.
Cancellations: Cancellation requests must be received no later than Thursday, August 13. After that time, there will be no refunds and an invoice will be issued for payment.
Featured Speaker
Danielle Robertson Thompson
Danielle Robertson Thompson is the executive director of Northern Ohio Golf and Charities Foundation, the volunteer organization that helped conduct professional golf tournaments at Firestone Country Club for 70 years.
Thompson oversees two governing boards and six committees, including the Grant Selection Committee, where she guides funding strategies and community investments. She raises funds annually through high-profile fundraising events such as the Ambassador of Golf presented by the FirstEnergy Foundation, honoring global figures including President George W. Bush and Stephen Curry.
Thompson’s expertise extends to financial management, budget oversight, and compliance, as well as leading large-scale volunteer initiatives that engage more than 1,000 volunteers for events like the Kaulig Companies Championship.
Danielle holds a bachelor's degree from Miami University and a master's from Syracuse University. She resides in Copley, Ohio, with her two boys, Charlie and Spencer.
About Northern Ohio Golf Charities & Foundation Inc.
Northern Ohio Golf Charities & Foundation, Inc. is the volunteer organization that has helped conduct professional golf tournaments at Firestone Country Club for 70 years. The organization was started by a group of golf enthusiasts as a way to give local golf fans a PGA TOUR event, while generating funds to support charitable organizations in the community.
Since 1984, NOGCF has helped raise and distribute over $32 million dollars to Northeast Ohio charitable groups through a dedicated volunteer force and by recognizing golf legends through the Ambassador of Golf event.
Proceeds from Akron Press Club events fund scholarships for journalism and public relations students. Between the Press Club and the John S. Knight Memorial Scholarship Fund, scholarships of $5,000 were awarded to 11 students in 2026. The Press Club sincerely thanks Summit County, Dr. Aileen Thong, Elizabeth Bartz and Bruce Winges for their donations to the scholarship fund.