History of Travelers Championship in Timeline

The Travelers Championship is a PGA Tour professional golf tournament held annually in Cromwell, Connecticut, at TPC River Highlands since 1984. Managed by The Greater Hartford Community Foundation, the tournament is recognized for its quality, having earned the Players Choice Award, voted on by PGA Tour members, for its exceptional services, hospitality, attendance, and course condition. It stands as a prominent event within the PGA Tour schedule.

1952: Tournament Founded

The tournament was founded 73 years ago in 1952 as the Insurance City Open.

1967: Renamed the Greater Hartford Open

In 1967, the tournament was renamed the Greater Hartford Open, a title that was retained through 2003.

1973: GHO also bore name of Sammy Davis Jr.

From 1973 through 1988, the GHO also bore the name of entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., who would often play in the pro-ams.

1984: Event Moved to TPC of Connecticut

In 1984, after the PGA Tour bought and redesigned Edgewood Country Club, the event moved to the new TPC of Connecticut in Cromwell.

1984: Tournament Held at TPC River Highlands

Since 1984, the Travelers Championship has been held at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut.

1985: Canon Becomes Title Sponsor

Canon became the title sponsor of the tournament from 1985 to 2002, with employees often volunteering during the event.

1988: End of Sammy Davis Jr. Association

In 1988, the Greater Hartford Open (GHO) stopped bearing the name of entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., after having done so since 1973.

1991: Course Redesigned and Renamed

In 1991, the course was substantially redesigned with a completely new front nine holes and renamed the TPC at River Highlands.

2002: Canon sponsorship ends

Canon was the title sponsor from 1985 to 2002, and their employees would often take vacation time during tournament week to volunteer at the event.

2002: Record Attendance

The tournament set a record attendance in 2002 with nearly 400,000 fans for the week.

2003: Buick Signs Sponsorship Agreement

In 2003, a fundraising campaign, followed by Buick signing a three-year sponsorship agreement, allowed the tournament to continue under the title Buick Championship.

2003: Title Retained

The title of Greater Hartford Open was retained through 2003.

2004: Buick Becomes Title Sponsor

Buick became the title sponsor of the tournament from 2004 to 2006.

2005: Tournament Played in Late August

In 2005, the tournament was played in late August.

2006: End of Buick Sponsorship

Buick was title sponsor from 2004 to 2006.

2006: Mahan Finished Tied for Second

Hunter Mahan finished tied for second in 2006 at the tournament.

2006: Tournament Played in Late June

In 2006, the tournament was played in late June.

2006: Tournament Purse

The purse for the 2006 tournament, under Buick's sponsorship, was $4.4 million, with $792,000 going to the winner.

2006: Buick Did Not Renew Its Sponsorship

When Buick did not renew its sponsorship after the 2006 season, the tournament briefly lost its spot on the tour schedule.

2007: Increased Purse Under Travelers' Sponsorship

From 2007 to 2010, the purse under Travelers' sponsorship was $6 million, with $1,080,000 going to the champion.

2007: Travelers Signed On to Sponsor the Tournament

In 2007, a spot opened on the tour, and Travelers signed on to sponsor the tournament.

2007: Part of FedEx Cup

Since 2007, as part of the FedEx Cup, the Travelers Championship has been played in late June, the week after the U.S. Open.

2007: The Travelers Companies Take Over Sponsorship

The Travelers Companies took over sponsorship of the tournament in 2007.

2008: Mahan Finished Tied for Second

Hunter Mahan finished tied for second in 2008 at the tournament.

2010: Purse was $6 million

From 2007 to 2010, the purse under Travelers' sponsorship was $6 million, with $1,080,000 going to the champion.

2010: TPC Property

The TPC property was the third PGA Tour owned/managed championship golf course in what would grow to a network of over 30 TPC Clubs in 2010.

2011: Tournament Attendance

In 2011, the tournament attracted 240,000 fans for the week and 70,000 fans on Sunday.

2016: Tournament played in August

Due to the Summer Olympics, the 2016 tournament was played in August.

2017: High Attendance Since Travelers Hosting

In 2017, about 290,000 fans attended the tournament, the most since Travelers started hosting the tournament.

2017: Tournament returned to June

In 2017, the tournament returned to June after being played in August in 2016 due to the Summer Olympics.

2018: Earned Players Choice Award

In 2018, the Travelers Championship earned the Players Choice Award for the second consecutive year. The award is voted on by PGA Tour members, recognizing the tournament's services, hospitality, attendance, and course quality.

2020: Part of the Open Qualifying Series

For the 2020 season, the Travelers Championship is part of the Open Qualifying Series, providing up to two spots in the Open Championship for the top two non-exempt finishers in the top 8.