July 22, 2019

What’s better than a golf event on a summer evening? How about one that honors a World Golf Hall of Fame member and features a fundraiser for local charities? That’s what attendees experienced at the 2019 Ambassador of Golf Award event, presented by the FirstEnergy Foundation.

The Ambassador of Golf Award honors a person who has fostered the ideals of the game on an international level and whose concern for others extends beyond the golf course. This year’s recipient was Fred Couples – 1992 Masters champion and World Golf Hall of Fame member.

Couples received the award on July 11 at Firestone Country Club in Akron following the first round of the Bridgestone Senior Players Championship. FirstEnergy and Westfield are the Founding Partners for this PGA Tour event. FirstEnergy Board Chairman Don Misheff provided remarks during the award presentation.

In addition to honoring Couples, the evening featured a new charity fundraiser supporting the tournament’s key charities, including the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, Akron Children’s Hospital, The First Tee of Akron, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, Summa Health System and Cleveland Clinic Akron General.

Attendees also enjoyed a meet and greet with Couples, a strolling dinner and a concert by Country singer Chase Bryant.

And the good news? The event raised more than $460,000 for those local charities.

Fred Couples gives a heartfelt speech after receiving his award.

Don Misheff (r.) with his wife, Cindy, and Fred Couples.