Akron, Ohio - October 19, 2010 - Tournament officials today announced that local businessman Thomas G. Knoll, co-founder of Northern Ohio Golf Charities, has been selected as the honorary chairman for the 2011 World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, to be held August 2-7 at Firestone Country Club (South Course) in Akron, Ohio.
“Over the years, Tom Knoll has been an integral part of professional golf and its charitable mission that benefits Northeast Ohio,” said Bridgestone Invitational Executive Director Don Padgett. “It is fitting that Tom is the honorary chairman, since he helped found the event’s charity partner, Northern Ohio Golf Charities, and has shown an unparalleled commitment to the tournament and numerous other community organizations.”
“I am both honored and appreciative of being named the Honorary Chairman for the 2011 Bridgestone Invitational,” said Knoll. “Tournament golf at Firestone Country Club has been a part of my life for 45 years and a ‘crown jewel’ for all of Northeast Ohio for 50-plus years. I want to thank the Tournament for affording me this honor and acknowledge our partners – Bridgestone, the PGA TOUR and Firestone Country Club – for the meaningful contribution they have made to our regional economy and our charities."
The Bridgestone Invitational’s charitable platform is “Fore Our Region. Fore Our Charities.” With support from ticket sales and corporate sponsorship, the Bridgestone Invitational has raised more than $19 million for charity, benefiting a diverse range of organizations including hospitals, children’s clubs, food banks and many more throughout Northeast Ohio.
Knoll co-founded the law firm of Stark & Knoll in 1985, and his practice encompasses general corporate, real estate, corporate transactions and business succession planning with clients in various industries including manufacturing, distribution, management and pharmaceuticals. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America (Corporate) since 1995. Knoll is a past president of the Akron Bar Association and a member of the Ohio State and the American Bar Associations. As the co-founder of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Akron and The First Tee of Akron, Knoll’s commitment to the Akron community is extensive. His community service has included the following positions and organizations:
- United Services for Handicapped - Former Board Member
- Great Trail Council-Boy Scouts of America - Trustee, Past President
- Area V Council-Boy Scouts of America - Past Vice President
- Goodwill Industries of Akron - Past President
- Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Greater Akron - Co-Founder, Past President
- Summa Health System - Trustee – Chairman, 1996-2000, 2006-2009
- Summa Health System Foundation - Trustee, Past President
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation – Trustee, 1996-2008
- Northern Ohio Golf Charities, Inc. - Executive Committee, Past Tournament Chairman, Past President
- Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation - Past Trustee
- The First Tee of Akron, Inc. - Co-Founder, Past President
- SummaCare/Summa Insurance Company – Board Member, 1995-
- PGA Tour Tournament Association - Board Member, Secretary/Treasurer, 2006-2008
- University of Akron Foundation – Trustee, 2006-
- Greater Akron Chamber – Executive Committee
- Akron Community Foundation – Trustee, 2009-
Through the Northern Ohio Golf Charities, Inc., Knoll has served on the executive committee, as past tournament chairman and as past president of the Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation. He was recently awarded the H. Peter Burg Economic Development and Leadership Award, which was created to recognize individuals who have emulated the former chairman of First Energy’s dedication to economic development and the community.
About the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational The Bridgestone Invitational is one of four World Golf Championships sanctioned and organized by the operational committee of the International Federation of PGA Tours, which includes the Asian Tour, European Tour, Japan Golf Tour, PGA TOUR, PGA Tour of Australasia and Sunshine Tour. The other World Golf Championships include the Accenture Match Play Championship, CA Championship and the HSBC Champions.
About Bridgestone Bridgestone Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. In addition to tires for use in a wide variety of applications, it also manufactures a broad range of diversified products, which include industrial rubber and chemical products and sporting goods. Its products are sold in over 150 nations and territories around the world.