Hearing-impaired employees part of Covington company that makes Tiger Woods’ golf balls

COVINGTON, Ga. — Would you believe that about 40 minutes east of Atlanta, there's a group of good people, making the golf balls for the greatest golfer of all time?

Channel 2 anchor Justin Farmer went to meet them and, while in Covington, he learned Bridgestone is no typical company.

“I made the balls that have Tiger on them. I made the balls and put the stamping on it,” Cherry Crawford said.

Crawford beams with pride as part of the Covington, team that makes the golf ball for the greatest player of all time.

The Tiger factor is exciting for the 170 people who work there, but there’s more to the place than a paycheck and publicity. They told Farmer there’s a culture of kindness.

“I enjoy that there are other hearing impaired (employees) here. We work well together. (We) train together,” David Adams said.

David Adams has been working at Bridgestone Golf for 18 years. He is one of four hearing impaired employees at Bridgestone. Cindy Peters is a production assistant who also signs and gladly answers the call to help.

Largely known as a Japanese tire company, Bridgestone came to Covington in the 1990s and used its rubber technology to get into the golf ball business.

“Tiger’s ball is the exact same one that comes off the line here in Covington,” Bridgestone Golf President and CEO Dan Murphy told Farmer.

Murphy is in his second stint as president and CEO of the company. Brought back by the urging of the employees there, Murphy is widely given credit for Bridgestone’s success.

Thanks to Tiger Woods, most of the world sees Bridgestone and thinks golf balls, but in Covington, Bridgestone is about good people, grateful for good work and now watching a lot more golf on the weekends.

Sales are on the rise and Murphy tells Farmer Bridgestone is at home in Covington and plans to be there for a long, long time.

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