Tournament voted PGA TOUR’s most fan-friendly; event donates 100
percent of net proceeds to charity
HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Travelers, the Official Insurance Provider of the PGA TOUR, is pleased
to announce the start of the 2013 Travelers
Championship, which kicks off today with opening ceremonies at 9:00
a.m. EDT at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn.
Some of the world’s top PGA
TOUR professionals are ready to tee it up and vie for the more than
$6 million purse, including Justin Rose, Lee Westwood, Bubba Watson,
Hunter Mahan, Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson, and many more. World-class
golf and entertainment for the entire family has earned the Travelers
Championship the distinction of being rated the PGA TOUR’s most
fan-friendly event. The combination of professional golf and other
events gives the tournament the ability to reach a wide audience and
generate significant funds for charity, with 100 percent of net proceeds
donated to more than 100
charities in the Northeast region, including The
Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a summer camp for children coping with
cancer, sickle cell anemia and other serious illnesses. The tournament
generated more than $1.15 million for charity in 2012, surpassing $30
million for charity since its inception in 1952.
“We are proud to be affiliated with a PGA TOUR event that gives us a
unique way to support the community and local charities that are helping
families throughout New England,” said Andy Bessette, Executive Vice
President and Chief Administrative Officer of Travelers. “We are focused
on delivering a world-class experience for players and fans so that we
can raise more money for charity and make a meaningful impact on the
region.”
One new addition to the tournament this year is the Northstar
Wealth Partners Celebrity Mini Golf Tournament, which will take
place on the Northstar Nine in the SUBWAY®
Fan Zone. Actor, Alec Baldwin; WWE legends Sgt. Slaughter and Bob
Backlund; 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist and current NBC commentator Tim
Daggett; young actor C.J. Adams from the Disney film The Odd Life of
Timothy Green; on-air personalities from the local and national media
and other special guests will compete for a chance to win a total of
$5,000 for charity. The June 19 event will consist of two waves of tee
times – 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The winning team from each wave of
golfers will receive $2,500 for the charity of their choice.
There are many other fan-favorite events throughout the week:
-
the Travelers
Celebrity Pro-Am is June 19, with stars including Chris Berman,
Geno Auriemma, Sgt. Slaughter, Tim Wakefield, Doug Flutie and others;
- Women's
Day is June 20, featuring a networking breakfast with UConn
Women’s Basketball coach Geno Auriemma, celebrity chef Ming Tsai and
Lafayette 148 New York President and Co-Founder Deirdre Quinn, along
with a golf clinic and other activities for women;
-
the Powerstation
Events Concert Series featuring Edwin McCain on Friday, June 21,
and Three Dog Night on Saturday, June 22 after the last golfer of the
day finishes his round; and
- Farmington BankFan
and Family Day, featuring the Golf Digest Hot List Tour, on June
18.
In addition, the event is focused on military
appreciation. All active, reserve and retired military
servicemembers and their dependents will gain free admission throughout
the week. The tournament has partnered with Operation Shower for the
third straight year to provide a baby shower for expectant military
wives. Operation Shower is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose
mission is to provide joyful baby showers for military families to ease
the burden of deployment.
A unique experience for fans and players is the chance for PGA TOUR
professionals to win $10,000 for their favorite charity, donated by
Travelers, during Tuesday's practice round. To win, the pros will
compete for the first hole-in-one or closest to the pin on The Umbrella
at 15 ½, a 40-foot floating green in the shape of the iconic Travelers
red umbrella logo on the pond between Holes 15 and 16.
Fans will also enjoy a number of activities in the SUBWAY®
Fan Zone, an entertainment area in the center of the course,
including the Travelers Chipping Challenge which is modeled after The
Umbrella at 15 ½. There, fans will get a chance to win a prize by taking
a golf shot at a smaller version of the floating red umbrella green. For
every hole-in-one throughout the week at the Travelers Chipping
Challenge, Travelers will donate $100 to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.
In recognition of the official start of the 2013 Travelers Championship
on June 17, the lights on Travelers Tower in Hartford will shine a
bright red throughout the week.
The competition rounds of the Travelers Championship will be played June
20 - 23, and will be broadcast live on Golf Channel from 3:00 p.m. to
6:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday and Friday and 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT on
Saturday and Sunday; and on CBS at 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT on
Saturday and Sunday.
For more information, download the Travelers
Championship Flyover App, follow the tournament on Twitter,
become a fan on Facebook,
or visit TravelersChampionship.com.
About Travelers
The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV)
is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto,
home
and business.
The company’s diverse business lines offer its global customers a wide
range of coverage sold primarily through independent agents and brokers.
A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Travelers has more than
30,000 employees and operations in the United States and selected
international markets. The company generated revenues of approximately
$26 billion in 2012. For more information, visit www.travelers.com.
Media Contact:
The Travelers Companies, Inc.
Matt Bordonaro,
860-277-7014
Cell: 860-202-3034
Source: The Travelers Companies, Inc.