2010 Travelers Championship Ready for Action

The stage is set for the 2010 Travelers Championship, which officially starts on Monday, June 21, with the opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. ET on the first tee box at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn. Travelers (NYSE: TRV) is proud to begin Connecticut’s PGA TOUR event with remarks from Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell, Honorary Military Appreciation Representative Rear Admiral Michael E. McLaughlin, Travelers Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Andy Bessette, Tournament Director Nathan Grube and distinguished guests including representatives from the tournament’s designated charities, the Greater Hartford Jaycees and The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.

“We work hard to make this a top event on the PGA TOUR attracting the best players and enthusiastic fans in order to raise the most dollars for the tournament’s charity beneficiaries,” said Bessette. “The Travelers Championship reaches viewers around the globe, so our affiliation is a great way to raise the company’s visibility across the U.S. and internationally while supporting the local community.”

Preparation for the 2010 Travelers Championship began shortly after the trophy and winner’s share of the purse were handed to Kenny Perry in 2009. All of the planning has culminated in a strong field of players, many fan enhancements, returning fan-favorite events and a new 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. These military personnel, as well as all U.S. veterans, will also have complimentary access to a special on-site military hospitality venue, the Patriots’ Outpost.

Travelers has worked closely with the Travelers Championship to recruit some of the world’s best players to be a part of the PGA TOUR's only early summer stop in the Northeast. The player field for the 2010 Travelers Championship includes Padraig Harrington, Stewart Cink, Rickie Fowler, Vijay Singh, Ricky Barnes, Retief Goosen and defending champion Kenny Perry, among others. Four players who have already secured victories in 2010 on the PGA TOUR also join the Travelers Championship field. They include Hunter Mahan, Adam Scott, Justin Rose and Jason Bohn.

One of the unique fan experiences offered at the tournament will be watching the players compete for a chance to win $10,000 from Travelers for their favorite charity during Tuesday’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 ½, a 40’ floating green in the shape of Travelers’ iconic umbrella logo on the pond between Holes 15 and 16, complete with pin flag and cup.

On Wednesday, the Travelers Celebrity Pro-Am expects entertainment stars like Michael Bolton and Joe Pesci and sports greats like Bode Miller, Ozzie Smith, Shannon Miller and Andre Tippett. Fans will also enjoy an upgraded Subway Fan Zone, an entertainment area in the center of the course; Women’s Day, featuring Newman’s Own Organics co-founder Nell Newman, golf clinics and other activities for women; and the Michelob Ultra 19th Hole Concert Series on Friday and Saturday evening after play.

“This event couldn’t succeed without sponsors and business partners,” added Bessette. “We appreciate all of their support and look forward to delivering another world-class event.”

In recognition of the official start of the 2010 Travelers Championship on June 21, 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 company’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 24 – 27, which will be broadcast live from 3 to 6 p.m. ET on the Golf Channel on Thursday and Friday, and at the same time on CBS on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit TravelersChampionship.com.

About Travelers

The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) 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 2009. For more information, visit www.travelers.com.