From the Director’s Desk – February 27, 2013
From the Director’s Desk is back! Kicking off the 2013 season, Nathan reflects on the 2012 Travelers Championship and tells us about his personal experiences playing golf. To ask Nathan a question, please send marketing@travelerschampionship.com an email!
How, and at what age, did you first get involved in golf?
From a personal standpoint, I was around 11 years old and my dad and I started to play together. We would go out at dusk to the local course and the starter would let us play about 4 holes for free as the sun set. To this day, if I am on the course at sunset and the shadows start getting longer and longer on the fairway, I am taken back to those late afternoons with my dad at Bonita Valley Golf Course. My first job in golf was driving the picker at a driving range when I was 15. There were a few gaps in the cage and I was struck several times in the leg. I am surprised I stayed in the business after that.
What hole do you think the players fear the most at TPC River Highlands?
I would say 15 for the risk reward factor as the guys have a chance to make an eagle on their way in but they also like 18 because of the crowds and atmosphere. I have talked to several players who have said that there is nothing like that crowd on the final hole.
What impresses you most about defending Travelers Champ, Marc Leishman’s game?
His humility. Marc is such a nice, down to earth guy. Even after he was awarded the PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year in 2009, it did not change his outlook and demeanor. He is genuine, friendly and just a nice guy to hang out with. One more thing, he can fire 62 on Sunday to win a PGA TOUR event!
What are some ways a nonprofit can partner with the Travelers Championship?
One of the things I love about our event in particular is how creative we can get with charities to help them raise money and awareness for their causes. All PGA TOUR events raise incredible amounts of dollars for charity but we will sit down with any interested charity and get very creative. Whether it is our Birdies for Charity program, our Chip In program or one of our other fundraisers, we can find a way to help. We are constantly spreading that message with the non-profit community, let us find a way to help you!
Last week at the WGC- Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona, the early rounds were delayed due to nearly four inches of snow. What’s the craziest weather condition you’ve seen happen at the Travelers Championship?
It seems that crazy weather defines the summers in Connecticut. We have seen tornados, golf ball size hail (no pun intended), record heat, floods, frost, lightning and sink holes opening up. The sink holes were probably the craziest. They literally swallowed a handful of cars. People came out after the rain and could only see the antennas on their cars.
