Day 1 Recap
HARTFORD, Conn., June 19, 2017 – Travelers Championship week began Monday with the Opening Ceremony dedicating the Memorial Garden at TPC River Highlands in honor of former Travelers Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jay Fishman. Monday also kicked off the first of two pro-ams, the Aetna Tournament Players Pro-Am. The Travelers Championship is once again being held at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, where it has taken place since 1984.
Representatives from Travelers; the state of Connecticut; the Travelers Championship; the ALS Clinic at the Hospital for Special Care (HSC); and the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp all gathered at the Memorial Garden to announce the commencement of the tournament and dedicate the space in memory of Fishman. Speakers included Alan Schnitzer, CEO of Travelers; Andy Bessette, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Travelers; Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy; PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan; and Travelers Championship Tournament Director Nathan Grube.
Schnitzer and Bessette both gave touching speeches, remembering Fishman and all that he did for them personally, for Travelers and for the tournament. Fishman’s wife, Randy; Schnitzer; Monahan; Malloy and Grube unveiled the plaque, which reads “Jay S. Fishman Memorial Garden: Honoring the lives of our tournament’s past champions.” Bessette also gifted Randy Fishman a smaller version of the plaque for her to take home.
The Aetna Tournament Players Pro-am started at 12:30 p.m. The winning team led by PGA TOUR professional Andres Gonzales, consisted of amateurs Judy Barrett, Michael Cusack, Don Naber and John Gambino.
The Travelers Championship has a lot in store for tomorrow, as Tuesday’s schedule features The Umbrella at 15 ½ Charity Challenge. PGA TOUR players will have the opportunity to win $10,000 for the charity of their choice by taking a shot at the floating green in the shape of the red Travelers umbrella logo. Operation Shower, a baby shower thrown for new or expectant military mothers, is also scheduled.
