The Travelers Championship

A Short History in Pictures

By Michael Rondon

Photo Courtesy Russ Glasson

Wethersfield Country Club, 1957

Bob Crowley, third round leader, and his caddie wait to tee off at the Insurance City Open. The ICO was started in 1952 by the Hartford Jaycees after a turtle-racing event failed the

year before.

Sammy Davis Jr. and Canon Sponsor the Greater Hartford Open,

1973-2002

Sammy Davis Jr. (top left) began sponsoring the Connecticut tournament in 1973 and would stay on for 16 years.

Canon co-sponsored with Davis for three years beginning in 1985. They

would remain the sole title sponsor until 2002.

Photo Courtesy Los Angeles Public Library

Photo Courtesy www.thejumpingfrog.com

Tournament Moves to TPC River Highlands, 1984

After the PGA Tour purchased and renovated a Cromwell course as part of their Tournament Players Club (TPC) initiative, the GHO moved away from

Wethersfield CC in 1984. Major overhauls were again done in 1991 under the supervision of legendary course designer Pete Dye.

Photo Courtesy www.naturevalleygolf.com

Phil Mickelson Defends His Title, 2002In 2002, Phil Mickelson came from behind to win his second GHO title in as

many years. No golfer had successfully defended his GHO title in the 35 year history of the tournament.

Photo Courtesy Michael McAndrews/Hartford Courant

Suzy Whaley Qualifies for GHO, 2002-2003

Former LPGA golfer Suzy Whaley became the

first woman to qualify for a PGA Tour event

in 58 years after winning a sectional qualifier in 2002.

Though Annika Sorenstam would actually play in an event before

Whaley, the CT native was a trailblazer on Tour.

Photo Courtesy Elsa/Getty Images

Photo Courtesy Jim Bourg/Reuters

Bridge Year Plan, 2003

After Canon pulled their funding in 2002, the tournament was unable to locate a title sponsor for ’03. Tournament officials, led by Roger Gelfenbien (right), employed a

“bridge year plan” to collect the $4 million needed to run a PGA Tour event. Gelfenbien and others were able to secure nearly $3.5 million from local businesses, while then-Gov. John Roland (left) and the CT government provided the remaining amount. “We came close to losing it,” Gelfenbien said, “but with the support of our

community, we were able to bring the tournament back for another year.”

Photo Courtesy Uconn School of Business

Photo Courtesy Bob Falcetti/Getty Images

J.J. Henry Wins 2004 Title

Fairfield native J.J. Henry won the inaugural Buick Championship, formerly the GHO, in 2004. He was the first Connecticut golfer to win the event.

Photo Courtesy Life Magazine

Buick Leaves , 2006

After suffering historical losses in 2005, Buick, pulled out of the Connecticut tournament. The luxury car manufacturer had sponsored four PGA Tour events at one point in the early-2000s. By 2009, they had none. The move came late in the golf season and forced the PGA Tour to leave CT off its 2007 schedule.

Photo Courtesy rferl.org

Image Courtesy Buick.com

Bubba Watson Wins Travelers Championship, 2010

The search for a new sponsor was headed by Nathan Grube, Tournament Chair. Thanks to some planning—Grube set up a deal with Travelers

Insurance should a spot on Tour open up—and some luck—a rival tournament backed out at the last moment, allowing CT to capture a spot—

they were back on Tour. Travelers has poured millions into the event, raising the purse and installing a state-of-the-art practice facility at the course. Bubba Watson won the event last year in a dramatic playoff.

Photo Courtesy Russ GlassonPhoto Courtesy Associated Press/Golf

Week

Credits

Special thanks to Roger Gelfenbien, Bruce Berlet, PGATour.com, and Courant.com for providing information.