Travelers Championship Raises $2.1 Million for Local Charities

The Travelers Championship has announced that the 2019 tournament generated more than $2.1 million for 150 local charities, including this year’s primary beneficiary, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.  The funds were distributed to representatives from participating nonprofits at the annual Travelers Championship Charity Celebration, held Tuesday at TPC River Highlands.

“I look forward to this event every year because, ultimately, this is what the tournament is all about,” said Travelers Championship Tournament Director Nathan Grube. “The Charity Celebration is a culmination of the work that goes into the Travelers Championship and the support we receive from volunteers, fans, players, sponsors and the PGA TOUR. Everything we do is to benefit worthy organizations that are making a difference in people’s lives.”

The Travelers Championship donates 100% of its net proceeds to charity, and this year’s effort brings the amount generated by the tournament to nearly $20 million since Travelers became title sponsor in 2007. At least 750 charities have benefited over that time.

“Travelers is committed to taking care of our communities, and the money we generate from the Travelers Championship is just one way we are making a positive impact on nonprofits in the region,” said Andy Bessette, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Travelers. “Today’s event gives the tournament’s charitable beneficiaries a chance to tell their story and we are proud to support them in their pursuit of helping others.”

The Travelers Championship has an annual economic impact on the state of $68.2 million, according to a 2017 study by the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc. (CERC).   CERC first conducted an impact analysis of the tournament in 2011, and completed another impact analysis for the Travelers Championship in 2017.  The results were compared, to look at the changes over time and factors that may have influenced changes in the tournament’s economic effects.

The results: The economic impact had more than doubled between 2011 and 2017, due to two primary factors; a much larger total number of spectators, especially the increased number of individuals from outside the state, and increased spending by the tournament in preparing for and administering the increased number of events that occur during the tournament week.

The Travelers Championship, held in Cromwell, Connecticut, is one of the premier events on the PGA TOUR and part of the FedExCup series. Named by the PGA TOUR in 2017 and 2018 as the recipient of the “Players Choice” award, the Travelers Championship proudly supports the TOUR’s Tradition of Giving Back by donating 100% of net proceeds to charities.

Chez Reavie, who won the 2019 Travelers Championship for his second career PGA TOUR victory, said “I want to congratulate Travelers and the Travelers Championship on generating over $2 million for 150 charities. I feel very privileged to be a part of that, and look forward to doing it again next year.”

The tournament – and the impact on local charities – has continued to grow through this decade.  As recent as 2012, the tournament raised just over $1 million for nonprofit organizations in the community. In 2013 - the event generated a record $1,253,000. At the time, it was the largest annual amount the tournament has given since Travelers became title sponsor in 2007. By 2018, the Travelers Championship generated $2 million for more than 150 local charities throughout the region.

Preparations have already begun for the 2020 Travelers Championship, which will take place June 22-28 at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell. For more information, visit www.TravelersChampionship.com.