A New Chapter at Firestone

LeBron James and the PGA Tour have announced a partnership to bring a golf event to James' hometown of Akron, Ohio, next summer. The inaugural LeBron James Family Foundation Invitational will be held at Firestone Country Club from July 6-7, 2027, according to multiple reports from the Associated Press, al.com, MassLive, and others.

The event, to be played on the South Course, will feature professional and amateur golfers from the PGA Tour's Pathway to Progression program. It aims to introduce youth to golf and provide mentorship opportunities for students in James' I Promise program, which supports Akron-area students and their families with educational resources and programs.

James, who recently signed a two-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, expressed his enthusiasm in a statement: "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." He also posted on X: "Excited for this and what it will continue to do for my kids, families and community!"

The partnership comes about one week after James launched his own golf channel on YouTube, which began with a golf trip to Scotland with former Cleveland Cavaliers teammates.

Building on a Legacy

Firestone Country Club has a storied history with the PGA Tour, having hosted events for 72 years until the tour's recent departure. The venue has been home to three PGA Championships (1960, 1966, and 1975), the World Series of Golf, and the World Golf Championship, where Tiger Woods won eight times, with his final victory there in 2013. The club is set to leave for California later this year as a PGA Tour Champions major.

PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said the partnership "gives the PGA Tour a presence at Firestone" and noted, "The PGA Tour believes golf can create opportunity, change lives and bring communities together." He added that the goal is to "honor Firestone's history and legacy while helping shape golf's future."

Event Details and Mentorship Component

The Invitational will include mentorship connecting I Promise students with players from the Pathway to Progression Pro-Bound Five program, which creates spots for college players in the Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) circuit. The APGA Tour, which began in 2010, was geared toward minority players, particularly Black golfers. Amateurs will also have the chance to compete alongside Pro-Bound Five members, and funds raised through the event will go back into the Akron community.

LeBron James Family Foundation executive director Michele Campbell said the foundation is "very proud" to partner with the PGA Tour, adding, "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."

Additional details, including professional and celebrity participants, are expected to be announced at a later date.