Monday, June 17 Recap
Under blue skies and glorious sun, Travelers Championship week began Monday with the Opening Ceremony on the first tee box at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut. TPC River Highlands has been the home of the Travelers Championship since 1984.
Opening Ceremony speakers included:
- Ned Lamont, Governor of Connecticut;
- Alan Schnitzer, Chairman and CEO of Travelers;
- Nathan Grube, Travelers Championship Tournament Director;
- Andy Bessette, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Travelers;
- Katie Joiner, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp camper.
Governor Lamont and Katie simultaneously hit ceremonial tee shots to officially kick off tournament week.
Monday also featured the first pro-am of the week with the Aetna Tournament Players Pro-Am. PGA TOUR professional Wes Roach led his team of amateurs, Douglas DeWilde, Larry O’Leary, Brian Werner and Andy Young to victory.
The tournament’s Open Qualifying event at Ellington Ridge Country Club awarded four spots into the player field. Ryan McCormick was medalist with a 66, with nine players shooting a 67 and creating a 9-for-3 playoff. Those three spots went to Michael Miller, Jim Renner and Chip McDaniel.
Tuesday figures to be a busy day, with The Umbrella at 15 ½ Challenge for PGA TOUR pros and their caddies. Players will take a shot at the floating red umbrella, in the shape of the iconic Travelers logo, for the chance to win $10,000 for the charity of their choice. Additionally, Operation Shower Presented by ConnectiCare® will begin at 11 a.m., giving 40 expecting military moms the celebration they deserve. Operation Shower will be held in the David & Geri Epstein Learning Center at The First Tee of Connecticut.
