NBA superstar LeBron James is bringing professional golf back to his hometown of Akron, Ohio.
The PGA TOUR and the LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF) have announced a landmark partnership to launch the LeBron James Family Foundation Invitational. This is a brand-new two-day tournament scheduled for July 6–7, 2027. It will be held on the historic South Course at Firestone Country Club.
Designed to merge competitive golf with community impact, the event will feature a unique field of amateur players. In addition, rising professional golfers from the PGA TOUR’s Pathway to Progression Pro-Bound Five program will also participate.
Expanding Access & Diversifying Golf
The partnership builds upon the PGA TOUR’s Pathway to Progression initiative, established to support and develop talented golfers from historically underrepresented communities. Specifically, the field will highlight players from the Pro-Bound Five. These are the top five finishers from the APGA (Advocates Professional Golf Association) Collegiate Ranking each season.
For James, who has recently shared his growing passion for golf through a newly launched YouTube golf channel, the tournament is personal.
“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,” James said in a statement.
“This partnership with the PGA TOUR gives my foundation a chance to introduce my I PROMISE students and more people to the game at a young age, support talented athletes chasing their dreams, and continue investing in the city of Akron that means everything to me.”
Community Impact and Mentorship
Beyond the competition on the course, the two-day event emphasizes youth engagement and educational opportunities.
Students from the LJFF I PROMISE Program—which provides Akron-area youth and families with educational resources, wraparound services, and mentorship—will participate in off-course development sessions. These workshops will directly connect students with Pro-Bound Five golfers. As a result, students receive mentorship while opening doors to career paths inside and outside of sports.
“The PGA TOUR believes golf can create opportunity, change lives, and bring communities together,” said PGA TOUR CEO Brian Rolapp. “LeBron and the LeBron James Family Foundation have shown what is possible when that commitment is backed by action… We are creating an event that honors Firestone’s history and legacy while helping shape golf’s future.”
Preserving Akron’s Golfing Legacy
Firestone Country Club’s South Course has long held an iconic place in professional golf history, having hosted major championships and world-class TOUR events for decades. Therefore, the new tournament guarantees that top-tier PGA TOUR-affiliated golf maintains a strong presence in Akron.
Michele Campbell, Executive Director of the LeBron James Family Foundation, highlighted the significance of preserving that local heritage while expanding its reach:
“For many years, PGA TOUR events at Firestone have been a staple of our community. The LeBron James Family Foundation is very proud to be part of preserving the PGA TOUR’s presence in our community… expose our I PROMISE students and more youth in Akron to the world of possibilities that golf opens up.”
Proceeds and fundraising efforts generated by the LeBron James Family Foundation Invitational will go directly toward supporting LJFF initiatives and local community programs in Akron.
AI Disclosure: This article was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools and was reviewed and edited by the Glowls News editorial team before publication.