The Travelers Championship: An Exemplary Gift of Golf

The Travelers Championship.  Here in Connecticut it's our biggest sporting event, and something we look forward to all year.

A rich history, an impeccable organization and a relaxed, friendly vibe haved helped make it the second most attended PGA Tour event annually, behind only the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

If you live in CT you've probably already got it on your calendar, and if you're from elsewhere it's a great occasion... and an awesome time of year... to visit our lovely coastal state.  I'm mentioning this because a couple of excellent ticket packages are available right now... and either one would make a stellar holiday gift... for just about any golfer or golf fan on your list. Including yourself naturally. See you in Connecticut.

Click here to order your package now !

Women's Day at the Travelers Championship

Connecticut weather can be capricious.

Today for example, the heavy clouds bought several down-pours, punctuated by periods where the sky seemed to be clearing...only to go dark again and produce yet another deluge.

In the end play was suspended before noon, allowing only six players to complete their rounds.

Meanwhile,  the third annual Travelers Championship Women's Day was sold out, and it went on with little regard to the wet weather, offering a full day of activities including speeches and presentations, networking opportunities,  a golf clinic and a cooking demonstration.

Play is set to resume tomorrow morning at 7:00 and continue until the sun sets... assuming the CT weather stops being a brat.  Happily, the weekend forecast is looking good.

Travelers Championship = An Awesome Week in CT

The umbrella green at dusk via @TravelersChamp

The 111th US Open is now part of golf history, memorable for the myriad records broken by Rory McIlroy... and for the young Ulsterman's uplifting story. Rory's rapid redemption... after his final round letdown at the Masters... gave hope to golfers everywhere.

Those who participated in the event... particularly those who worked for months (and years) behind the scenes... are probably feeling a sense of relief.  I'd imagine there's also a touch of melancholy...like the one that always follows the holiday season.  For many down at Congressional Country Club, today probably feels kind of like the day you take down the Christmas tree. Here in Connecticut however, our golf event is just getting underway.

The 59th installment of the Travelers Championship began today with the an opening ceremony on the first hole of TPC River Highlands. Later in the day 28 PGA TOUR professionals played with amateurs in the the Aetna Tournament Players Pro-Am.  One of them was Scott Stallings the affable PGA Tour rookie who blogs about his life as a touring pro at Chief Executive Golfer.  I wrote about Scott and his enchanting wife Jennifer (who also blogs!) back when the season was starting.  A couple of hours ago Scott tweeted from the "hardest hole on the @PGATour".  Welcome to CT Scott and Jennifer.


Tomorrow is Farmington Bank Fan & Family Day.  In addition to practice rounds there'll be free lessons, and a day full of clinics, contests, demos and other awesome activities... for golfers of all ages and ability levels.  ~ Below are a few scenes from the 2010 Travelers Championship...

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

...and they're forecasting some beautiful weather for tomorrow, so why not spend the first day of Summer at the Travelers?  Tickets and additional details are available at TravelersChampionship.com. 

Golf Season Starts at The Connecticut Golf Show

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With temperatures rising into the fifties and the last traces of snow quickly (finally) melting away,  courses here in CT... and throughout the tri-state area... are preparing to welcome the season's first golfers.

Meanwhile, area golfers can get back into the swing of things at the new Connecticut Golf Show, which starts tomorrow and runs throughout the weekend at the Connecticut Convention Center, in Hartford.

The latest in club technology from top brands will be there for the trying... and buying, there will be seminars, clinics and contests galore, with great prizes up for grabs and lots of give-aways to be had.

PGA Tour Pro Billy Andrade will be sharing stories, signing autographs and giving golfers the insider tips for a better game and top rated PGA instructor George Connor will be giving free tips and lessons. The Putting Doctor, Joe Bermel will also be there throughout the show, demonstrating his “Keys to Good, Consistent Putting.”

After a particularly harsh winter the show presents a great way for Nutmeg State golfers to get back into the game and start the season in style.  Check out the CT Golf Show website for more details.

CT Golf Show
Connecticut Convention Center - Hall B
100 Columbus Blvd
Hartford, CT 06103

Show Hours
Friday: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

2011 Travelers Championship and Early Commitments

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The Travelers Championship was recently honored as the "Most Fan Friendly Event on the PGA Tour".  Fans love the relaxed vibe and the beautiful course (with it's remarkable finishing holes).  A special Women's Day and active Kids Zone also make it an awesome for families.

The tournament is Connecticut's biggest sporting event, and though it takes place the week after the US Open there's always a stellar field, so it's no surprise that the commitments are already coming in; defending champion Bubba Watson and 2009 winner Kenny Perry will be there, so will Vijay Singh, Anthony Kim, Lucas Glover and winning rookie, Jhonattan Vegas.

The 2011 Travelers Championship runs from June 20 - 26,  so put it on your calendar... You'll be guaranteed an awesome time.

This just in:  @TravelersChamp is offering a 20% discount on tickets for the next 11 days: http://bit.ly/12quQo. Enter the promotional code 20FOR11.

Photo: Golf Girl Media