Honorary Member George Sweda Awarded The Journalism Award

The Northern Ohio PGA Section would like to congratulate Honorary Member, George Sweda, on receiving the inaugural Journalism Award from the WGC Bridgestone Invitational. Sweda accepted the award during the Ambassador of Golf Ceremony before the World Golf Championships – Bridgestone Invitational on August 1.

The Journalism Award recognizes Sweda for his more than 30-year commitment to professional golf’s tradition at Firestone Country Club. Sweda began his career as an intern for the Plain Dealer in 1972. His first exposure to Firestone Country Club came in 1975, when he covered the 1975 PGA Championship, the site of Jack Nicklaus’s 14th major title.

The next year, Sweda began his 30 year reign as the Plain Dealer’s golf beat writer, a position he held till his retirement in 2008.

According to Mr. Sweda, he has written more about Firestone than any other place thanks to his annual coverage of the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, NOPGA Section events, and several amateur events.

In addition to this award, Mr. Sweda is a life member of the Golf Writers Association of America, as well as an honorary member of the NOPGA section and Northern Ohio Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. He was also inducted into the Ohio Golf Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Northern Ohio Golf Association Hall of Fame in 2008.

“Northeast Ohio has a very rich golf history, and George was always there telling the most compelling stories while weaving in historical context and anecdotes,” said Dominic Antenucci, Executive Director of the NOPGA. “It was an honor getting to work with him several times a year, and this award could not have gone to a more deserving person.”