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5X���� is again showing its appreciation to our nation’s service members by hosting a military-exclusive hospitality chalet for veterans, service members and their families during the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron on Aug. 2-6.

For the third consecutive year, Kent State is presenting Birdies for the Brave Outpost, which this year is located adjacent to the 14th green at Firestone Country Club. The venue will be open from Thursday, Aug. 3, through Sunday, Aug. 6, from 9 a.m. until the end of play each day – offering military guests complimentary food and beverages and a relaxing setting for viewing all the tournament action. United Rentals will serve as the Premier Supporter of the Outpost, with Kent State serving as Presenting Supporter.

“We feel privileged for the opportunity to give back to those who put their lives on the line every day to keep America safe and free, by supporting this unique military-exclusive hospitality venue,” said Shay Little, Kent State's vice president for student affairs. Her husband and daughter are both veterans. “It’s the very least we can do for those who give back so much to all of us.”

Kent State has been named a 2017 Military Friendly^® School, a designation the university has received for eight consecutive years. Military Friendly is the military ratings division of Victory Media, a service-disabled, veteran-owned business that also publishes G.I. Jobs^®, STEM Jobs, Military Spouse and Vetrepreneur^®. Military Friendly rates companies and colleges on their programs to recruit and retain military veterans as employees and students.

The Outpost is part of Birdies for the Brave^®, a national military outreach initiative proudly supported by the PGA TOUR, which is dedicated to honoring and showing appreciation to the courageous members of our U.S. Armed Forces and their families. As part of Birdies for the Brave, the World Golf Championships – Bridgestone Invitational will provide complimentary admission to active duty, National Guard and Reserve military members, military retirees and their dependents with a military ID shown at the gate, along with a military ticket voucher. Veterans may also receive one complimentary ticket per day.

Military guests may obtain a military ticket voucher by visiting and having their military status verified by SheerID. A military ticket voucher can then be downloaded from the website. A $1 verification fee will be required for every military ticket downloaded.

In addition to the military ticketing program and complimentary hospitality, the World Golf Championships – Bridgestone Invitational will host a special military appreciation ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 5, following play at 9:30 a.m. in the Fan Zone at Firestone Country Club, featuring military pageantry; the singing of the national anthem; and a variety of special presentations, including the swearing-in of 20 U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force cadets.

Firestone Country Club is located at 452 E. Warner Road in Akron. Non-military tickets to the Bridgestone Invitational are available at or by calling 904-542-5222.

Kent State’s commitment to supporting the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational includes alum and NFL veteran Josh Cribbs joining Kent State mascot “Flash” during the Aug. 3 “College Day” events at the Firestone Country Club.