Day 2 Recap
HARTFORD, Conn., August 3, 2016 – Practice rounds and short shots for charity dominated a fan-friendly Tuesday at the Travelers Championship, with early-morning rain making way for sun and pleasant temperatures in the afternoon.
Players and caddies took their swings at The Umbrella at 15 ½ Challenge, the 85-yard “hole” at TPC River Highlands that features a 40-foot-long floating green in the shape of the Travelers red umbrella logo in the middle of a lake. Players were competing for $10,000 donated by Travelers, which would go to a charity of the winner’s choice for the shot that finished closest to the hole. On Tuesday, that was made by Brian Gay, whose shot settled less than 1 inch away. Gay selected the Bruce Edwards Foundation for ALS Research as the charitable recipient.
Operation Shower presented by ConnectiCare®, a baby shower thrown for 40 expectant military wives, was held at The First Tee of Connecticut. It was one of many events on Tuesday taking place near the TPC River Highlands practice facility. A Drive, Chip & Putt local qualifier was held throughout the day, junior golfers attended the Eversource PGA TOUR Player Experience, and Farmington Bank Family Day offered fans a selection of golf vendors and free lessons from Connecticut Section PGA professionals.
Wednesday’s schedule includes the Travelers Celebrity Pro-Am, which includes actors Luke Wilson and Kevin Nealon, ESPN sportscaster Chris Berman, 10-time NBA All-Star Ray Allen, former Red Sox pitcher and World Series champion Tim Wakefield, actor Dane DeHaan, Pittsburgh Penguins center and Stanley Cup champion Nick Bonino, former NFL quarterback Doug Flutie, singers Ken Casey from the Dropkick Murphys and Javier Colon, UConn coaches Kevin Ollie, Chris Dailey and Mike Cavanaugh, and former UConn coach Jim Calhoun. Active duty military members will have an opportunity to serve as caddies for a PGA TOUR professional on the 17th hole during the pro-am.
The Farmington Bank Celebrity Mini Golf Tournament hosted by Luke Wilson and Tim Wakefield will be held on Wednesday morning where two waves of players will compete at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., with each wave playing for $2,500 going to the winners that will be given to the charity of their choice.
