SAINT FRANCIS ANNOUNCES PRESENTING SPONSORSHIP
SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER ANNOUNCES MULTI-YEAR PRESENTING SPONSORSHIP
Expands On Military Appreciation For 2011
CROMWELL, Conn., May 17, 2011- The Travelers Championship today announced a five-year commitment from Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center to be the Presenting Sponsor of the tournament. In addition, the tournament unveiled new features for Military Appreciation presented by Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, which will include a climate-controlled Patriots’ Outpost and Military Caddie Program for Wednesday’s Travelers Celebrity Pro-Am.
“We are thrilled to have Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center increase its partnership with the Travelers Championship for the next five years,” said Travelers Championship Tournament Director Nathan Grube. “In addition, Saint Francis has been instrumental in the growth of our Military Appreciation efforts and we look forward to joining them in offering our sincere appreciation and gratitude to all who have served our country.”
Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center has supported the tournament for the last 22 years, and this year more than 300 hospital employees are expected to volunteer. In addition, Saint Francis has provided free on-course medical attention to players, fans and volunteers for more than 11 years.
“We are proud to be the presenting sponsor for the Travelers Championship over the next five years,” said Christopher Dadlez, President and CEO, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center. “Not only is this a significant event for golf enthusiasts, but an event for those who have served our country. It is our way of saying ‘thank you’ for your service,” added Dadlez. “In addition, our staff of dedicated caregivers and volunteers will ensure a fun and safe time for spectators.”
2011 Military Appreciation presented by Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center will once again offer complimentary admission for all active, reserve and retired Military Service Members, with valid identification, as well as their dependents. In addition, U.S. Veterans and their dependents can purchase discounted tickets for $20, with half of the proceeds being donated to Birdies for the Brave, a PGA TOUR military outreach charity. During the press conference on Tuesday, a $5,000 check was also donated to Birdies for the Brave by the Greater Hartford Jaycees Foundation to help kick off the 2011 Military Appreciation initiative at the Travelers Championship.
The Patriots’ Outpost, a military hospitality venue located on course, will increase in size and will be fully climate-controlled in 2011. The Patriots’ Outpost will provide all Military Service Members, as well as U.S. veterans and their families complimentary food and refreshments, thanks to support for sponsors like Applebee’s.
New for 2011, the Travelers Championship and Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center will offer a special Military Caddie Program on Wednesday, June 22, which will give active duty and Wounded Warriors an opportunity to carry a PGA TOUR professional’s bag on the 17th hole during the Travelers Celebrity Pro-Am. As caddies, Military Service Members will wear Birdies for the Brave camouflage bibs, while experiencing a PGA TOUR event “inside the ropes.”
Another highlight of support from Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center is its Wounded Warrior threesome during the Travelers Celebrity Pro-Am on Wednesday, June 22. Three Warriors will have an opportunity to play alongside a PGA TOUR professional in one of the tournament’s featured events.
The Travelers Championship is one of Connecticut’s premier annual sporting events and is the PGA TOUR’s only early summer stop in the Northeast, which will be played June 20 – 26, 2011, at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn. Reigning champion Bubba Watson will look to defend his title against a top field that includes Anthony Kim, Padraig Harrington, Hunter Mahan, Vijay Singh, Zach Johnson, John Daly and more.
###
About the Travelers Championship
The Travelers Championship will be held June 20 – 26, 2011, at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn. As the only PGA TOUR event in the Northeast in early summer, the Travelers Championship is one of the region’s premier sporting events. The tournament proudly supports the PGA TOUR Tradition of Giving Back by donating 100 percent of net proceeds to charities including The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, serving children facing serious illness; the Greater Hartford Jaycees, a leadership development and community service organization; and more than 130 other nonprofit organizations throughout New England. The event is sponsored by Travelers, a leading provider of property casualty insurance for home, auto and business. Travelers has been doing business in the community for nearly a century and a half, and today has more than 6,000 employees in the Greater Hartford area. The Official Property Casualty Insurer of the PGA TOUR, Travelers has been a sponsor of this event each year since its inception in 1952, becoming title sponsor in 2007. Complete details are available on www.TravelersChampionship.com.
About Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center
Founded in 1897, Saint Francis is a major teaching hospital licensed for 617 acute inpatient beds and 65 bassinets. It is the largest Catholic hospital in New England. For more information on Saint Francis, go to www.stfranciscare.com.
