Wednesday, June 19 Recap
Wednesday at the Travelers Championship took a star turn, with the Travelers Celebrity Pro-Am and the Dunkin’ Celebrity Mini Golf Tournament highlighting the day before the 72-hole PGA TOUR event begins.
The WFAN “Boomer & Gio” show once again broadcast from the Radio Deck overlooking the practice facility. In the Stanley Black & Decker Kids Zone, three-person teams were competing for a $2,500 charity donation in the Dunkin’ Celebrity Mini Golf Tournament. The tournament was hosted by actors Bridget Moynahan, Dane DeHaan and Anna Wood, with Renee DiNino of iHeartMedia Communities serving as master of ceremonies. The iHeart Media team of Ben Darnell, David Fische and Adam Rivers won the 9:30 a.m. wave and designated Kenway’s Cause as the charity receiving a $2,500 donation. The 10:30 a.m. wave was won by the Fox 61 team of Jim Altman, Rich Coppola and Margeaux Farrell, with Camp Courant their designated charitable recipient of $2,500. A number of local television celebrities participated, with local team mascots offering support.
On the par-70 TPC River Highlands course, the Travelers Celebrity Pro-Am featured plenty of famous faces. Celebrities in the field included comedian George Lopez, broadcaster Chris Berman, NHL players Nick Bonino and Brian Boyle, former two-time NBA champion Ray Allen, former Major League Baseball star Mark Teixeira, actor Dane DeHaan and assorted University of Connecticut coaches.
The team of PGA TOUR professional Adam Hadwin, along with Jacob Lane, Patrick Martineau and Pete Marucci, won the Pro-Am’s morning wave with a score of 15-under 55. The top squad from the afternoon wave was 2017 Travelers Championship winner Jordan Spieth, teamed with Jay Rowe, Steve Hauck and Jason Schiciano, who shot a 14-under 56.
Michael Kim, who won Tuesday’s The Umbrella at 15 ½ Challenge, was presented with the winner’s oversized check on Wednesday by Andy Bessette, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Travelers, and Travelers Championship Tournament Director Nathan Grube. Travelers donated $10,000 to Kim’s designated charities, with the money split evenly between the Windy Hill Foundation and the Zach Johnson Foundation. Kim’s shot during Tuesday’s practice round finished 7 inches away from the pin on Hole 15 1/2, the red floating green in the shape of the Travelers umbrella logo.
Active duty military members had the chance to serve as caddies for PGA TOUR professionals on the 17th hole during the Pro-Am as part of the Birdies for the Brave Military Caddie Program presented by Trinity Health Of New England.
The first round of competition is scheduled for Thursday, with Golf Channel providing live coverage from 3 to 6 p.m. EDT.
Thursday is also Women’s Day sponsored by Travelers. This year’s program will feature “Face the Nation” moderator Margaret Brennan and Tony Award-winning singer and actress Kelli O’Hara. All women attending the tournament on Women’s Day will receive special discounts and benefits.
