2008-06-15 21:05:22 -
- The Travelers Companies Media: Jennifer Wislocki, 860-277-7458 Cell: 860-391-2605 or Matt Bordonaro, 860-277-7014 Cell: 860-202-3034 Travelers (NYSE:TRV) is proud to support a new era of PGA TOUR golf in Connecticut when the 2008 Travelers Championship kicks off this week, benefiting the Greater Hartford Jaycees and The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Opening ceremonies will be held Monday, June 16, at 9 a.m. at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn. Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell, Travelers Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Andy Bessette and other distinguished guests will lead the ceremony including the opening tee shot by representatives of the designated co-charities.
"Everyone at Travelers is looking forward to new features for the fans, the celebrity
pro-am and exciting competition among some of the best golfers in the world," said Bessette. "We have been planning this year's tournament from the moment Hunter Mahan sank the winning putt at the inaugural Travelers Championship, and we're confident that the 2008 event will continue to raise the bar and deliver a best-in-class PGA TOUR experience."
Some of the PGA TOUR's elite players are planning to be in Connecticut including Vijay Singh, Stuart Appleby, Justin Rose, Kenny Perry, Zach Johnson, Rocco Mediate and defending champion Hunter Mahan. The field will also feature past champions J.J. Henry and Brad Faxon, as well as Jay Williamson, who led last year's event to a thrilling playoff.
A major enhancement to this year's event is the new state-of-the-art practice facility, featuring a 360-yard driving range, an increase of 100 yards over the former range. The new facility includes a viewing area where fans can watch the professionals prepare for the test that awaits them on course. In addition, new features such as Fan and Family Day, a Men's Health Forum and a new interactive expo area will give fans the opportunity to experience the 56-year-old event like never before.
All of the net proceeds from the 2008 Travelers Championship will be donated to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, serving children facing serious illness, and the Greater Hartford Jaycees, a leadership development and community service organization. Travelers is well known for its support of charitable organizations, and its employees provide thousands of volunteer hours in the community each year.
"One of the main reasons Travelers became the title sponsor is because this tournament has such a positive impact on the region and on the lives of so many people," said Bessette. "Travelers and the PGA TOUR are committed to giving back to the community and our tournament is a solid example of that dedication."
In recognition of the official start of the 2008 Travelers Championship on June 16, Travelers will change the lights on the beacon of its prominent Tower building to shine a bright red. The Tower lights will match the color of the company's famous logo, the red umbrella, which is infused throughout the branding of the tournament.
The Travelers Celebrity Pro-Am will take place on Wednesday, June 18, and the competition rounds of the Travelers Championship will be played June 19 - 22. The competition rounds will be broadcast live from 3 to 6 p.m. ET on the Golf Channel on Thursday and Friday, and on CBS on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit www.travelerschampionship.com.
About Travelers
Travelers understands that life and business are inherently dynamic and that the best way to serve agents, brokers and policyholders is to deliver insurance that evolves to stay in-synch with life and business as they change. For more information on being in-synch, visit www.travelers.com.
The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV) is a leading property casualty insurance company selling primarily through independent agents and brokers. The company's diverse business lines offer its global customers a wide range of insurance coverage in both the personal and commercial settings, including auto, homeowners, construction, small business, oil and gas, ocean marine, surety and management liability, global technology and public sector services. Travelers is a Fortune 100 company, with 2007 revenues of $26 billion. The company has approximately 33,000 employees.
Travelers Sponsors PGA TOUR Event Featuring Elite Golfers, New
Practice Facility and Enhanced Fan Experience to Benefit Charity
