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Travelers Expands Charitable Impact Through PGA TOUR Title Sponsorship

^{Published on 2011-06-17 12:26:02 - Market Wire}
 

HARTFORD, Conn.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: [ TRV ]) is proud to mark its fifth year as title sponsor of the Travelers Championship, Connecticuta™s PGA TOUR event, with expanded opportunities to generate funds for local charities. The tournament begins with opening ceremonies on Monday, June 20, at 9 a.m. ET at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn., featuring Connecticut Governor and Travelers Championship Honorary Chairman Dannel P. Malloy, Travelers Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Andy Bessette, Tournament Director Nathan Grube and representatives from one of the [ charities ] that benefit from the tournament, [ The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp ].

"Our focus this year has been to create new partnerships for the tournament to help raise awareness and funds for more charities, while continuing to deliver a tremendous experience for players and their families, caddies, sponsors and most importantly the fans."

aEveryone at Travelers is proud to deliver a world-class PGA TOUR event that is good for the community, benefits charity and is good for our business,a said Bessette. aOur focus this year has been to create new partnerships for the tournament to help raise awareness and funds for more charities, while continuing to deliver a tremendous experience for players and their families, caddies, sponsors and most importantly the fans.a

Since its inception in 1952, the tournament has generated more than $28 million dollars for charity, including $1.1 million in 2010 alone. This year, fans can use texting to support the more than 130 charities that benefit from the Travelers Championship. By texting aTCHAMPa to 50555, fans can donate $10 to help the tournament achieve its goal of generating more dollars for charity.

Some of the worlda™s best players are scheduled to participate in the PGA TOUR's only early summer stop in the Northeast. The [ player field ] for the 2011 Travelers Championship includes Jim Furyk, Nick Watney, Hunter Mahan, Anthony Kim, Padraig Harrington, Rickie Fowler, Ian Poulter, Geoff Ogilvy and defending champion Bubba Watson, among others. Numerous players who have already secured victories in 2011 on the [ PGA TOUR ] make up the Travelers Championship field. Some of those winners include David Toms, Lucas Glover, Brandt Snedecker and PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year candidate, Jhonattan Vegas.

The 2011 event will feature many fan-favorite events including a continued focus on [ military appreciation ] for which the tournament will offer free admission to all active, reserve and retired military service members and their dependents throughout the week. Other fan experiences consist of Tuesdaya™s [ Fan and Family Day ], Wednesdaya™s [ Travelers Celebrity Pro-Am ] with stars including Michael Bolton, who will play a concert Tuesday night with proceeds benefiting The Michael Bolton Charities, Joe Pesci, Luke Wilson, Chris Berman, Ray Allen and others; [ Womena™s Day ], featuring Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough from MSNBCa™s aMorning Joe,a golf clinics and other activities for women; and [ The REACH Concert Series ] on Wednesday featuring Eddie Money and Saturday featuring Huey Lewis and The News benefitting The REACH Foundation.

A unique experience for fans and players is when players compete for a chance to win $10,000 from Travelers for their favorite charity during Tuesdaya™s practice round. To win, the pros will vie for the first hole-in-one or closest to the pin on The Umbrella at 15 , a 40a™ floating green in the shape of the iconic Travelers red umbrella logo on the pond between Holes 15 and 16, complete with pin flag and cup.

Fans will also enjoy a number of activities in the SUBWAY® [ Fan Zone ], an entertainment area in the center of the course including the Travelers Chipping Challenge, which is modeled after The Umbrella at 15 . There, fans will get a chance to win a prize by taking a golf shot at a smaller version of the floating red umbrella green. For every hole-in-one throughout the week, Travelers will donate $100 to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.

aThis event is a major economic driver for Connecticut and the tournament is constantly growing its relationships with partners in the business community,a added Bessette. aThe high level of competition continues to attract attention from a global audience and attendance remains high thanks to the many activities on-site and quality of our player field, which this year is one of the strongest wea™ve had in years.a

In recognition of the official start of the 2011 Travelers Championship on June 20, the lights on Travelers Tower in Hartford will shine a bright red which will last throughout the week. These lights will match the color of the companya™s famous logo, the red umbrella, which is infused throughout the branding of the tournament.

The competition rounds of the Travelers Championship will be played June 23 a" 26, which will be broadcast live from 3 to 6 p.m. ET on Golf Channel on Thursday and Friday, and at the same time on CBS on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, follow the tournament on [ Twitter ], become a fan on [ Facebook ] or visit [ TravelersChampionship.com ].

About Travelers
The Travelers Companies, Inc. is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for [ auto ], [ home ] and [ business ]. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Travelers has more than 30,000 employees and generated revenues of approximately $25 billion in 2010. For more information, visit [ www.travelers.com ].

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