Travelers PGA stop is well worth the trip

TEE THURSDAY

A crowd forms around the 18th as players end their rounds. PHOTO BY MOIRA MCCARTHY

The red umbrella, a symbol of Travelers Insurance, is front and center at the event, including a red umbrella-shaped green in the water that players try to land a ball on for a charity fundraiser.

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The Travelers Championship (https://travelerschampionship.com/) rolled through TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, last week and while American Keegan Bradley pulled off a thrilling last moment win — landing the Ryder Cup Captain his second win there in three years and a $3.6 million paycheck — it may just be the crowds chanting “USA!” and taking in the event all week who won big.

The event, despite some scorching heat and a short weather delay on Sunday, drew more than a quarter of a million spectators who followed their favorite champions, savored all kinds of course-side foods, and played games of their own like the popular “Chip and Cheer” game open to all.

With a deep pool of top players — many of whom point to The Travelers as one of their favorite events of the year — spectators had plenty of exciting play to take in. And since scores stayed tight for the most part beginning to end, every hole seemed to matter.

The event was the only PGA stop to come through New England this year, and will return next year June 26-28. Advice from an attendee? Mark that on your calendar and make the trip. It’s an experience golf lovers (and even their not so golf-loving partners) will love.

The TPC River Highlands is a spectacular club, one that sets up well for this kind of major event. Parking stretches far and wide on the fields around the club. You may need to make a short walk, but the payoff is this: once on course it’s like there’s nothing else beyond. No car traffic, horns or other urban sounds; just fresh air, lush green fairways, lovely buildings and a big crowd loving it all.

After grabbing a crispy cold iced coffee and filling my water bottle (hydration stations are free and easy to access), I chose to start my day on some comfortable seating at the ninth green, where the early players were just coming around.

Right away, I realized that as part of the on-site crowd, I’d joined a community. In those bleachers — access available with all ground passes — we all shared our favorite players, gasped at amazing shots and of course chatted about how we may have read the green differently (as if!) There’s a sense of community you feel right off. For the rest of my experience, I kept bumping into new friends I’d made along the way.

Next I chose to walk a bit, following along for a few holes with Wyndham Clark (I’m a fan, and after his meltdown at the US Open I wanted to show that even more). Again, I found community in the others following his play. It’s fun to connect over a sport you love — and that comes free with every ticket.

As the players were approaching the last handful of holes, I found a spot on the grass and what is the center of it all, where the last three holes converge. From my hillside spot, I could watch action on the 15, 16 and 17th hole — including water shots and other excitement — and then watch them tee off on the 18th. It’s pretty, comfortable and easy to see a lot.

Guest stops at the Treehouse Beer Garden as well as lots of other easy to spot and get to food spots were popular. Maps were posted all over, and the volunteers — easily visible in their red striped jerseys — were super helpful.

Late afternoon one of the warm days, I was walking back to a spot I’d gone to a few times, happy and on a mission, when a volunteer called out to me.

“Hey! Are you wearing sunscreen? Because you look way redder than you did earlier!” Tens of thousands of guests on hand and a volunteer notices my skin and cares about it enough to ask. That’s service.

Some tips for when you go:

*Consider Thursday if you’re going just one day. Early rounds are super exciting; everyone’s amped up to make a statement. At the same time, the event is less crowded. You’ll get closer to the action and have easier access (lesser lines if any at all) for the extras all over the event.

*Make a game plan but then go with the flow. The course in total is easy to find your way around, so you’re never too far from whatever you want to do. But be loose; see what the day presents.

*Bring a water bottle. Yes, there’s plenty to eat and drink on site, but you’ll be on your feet and in the sun, so hydration is key. Stations with purified water are free and readily available.

*Tuck a poncho on your bag. That way it definitely won’t rain.