Free admission for military at Bridgestone Invitational

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Tiger Woods greets members of the Armed Forces during the Opening Ceremony of the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club on July 4, 2007 in Bethesda, Maryland.

On the heels of the nation's celebration of Independence Day, tournament officials today announced that all active and retired military will gain free admission to the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, thanks to support from Lockheed Martin. In addition, the military individual's spouse or significant other and their children 18 years and under will gain free admission when they come to the admission gate with this individual. The complimentary access is granted when the proper military ID is presented at the admission gate. The best players from across the globe come to Firestone Country Club for the Bridgestone Invitational, Aug. 4-9, in Akron, Ohio. Outstanding achievements of military personnel will be highlighted with a ceremony, made possible by Lockheed Martin, on Saturday morning at the tournament in conjunction with the USO of Northern Ohio.

"We are pleased to welcome the men and women who selflessly serve our country to come enjoy one of the premier golf events in the world," said Executive Director Don Padgett.

"We hope by giving these brave men and women some time to relax and enjoy themselves at the Bridgestone Invitational, we can show a small amount of our gratitude for all that they do," said Rick Perez, vice president of Lockheed Martin's operations in Akron, Ohio.

The 2009 Bridgestone Invitational will have an interesting feel with both Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh returning to the event hoping to defend the championship they won during their last appearance. Singh won last year's tournament by edging out Lee Westwood, Phil Mickelson and Retief Goosen for his first-ever World Golf Championships victory.

Woods has won the Bridgestone Invitational six times (1999-2001 and 2005-07), but he missed the 2008 event after knee surgery. Woods has 15 career victories at World Golf Championships events. In 2007, Woods shot a final-round 65 to win by eight strokes over Justin Rose and Rory Sabbatini.