Previous events hosted by facility: 1984-2003 Greater Hartford Open; 2004-2006 Buick Championship; 2007- 2010 1421 Research Park Drive • Lawrence, KS 66049-3859 • 800- 472-7878 • www.gcsaa.org

GCSAA Tournament Fact Sheet Course statistics PGA Tour Travelers Championship Average tee size: 2,200 sq. ft. June 20 - 26, 2011 Tournament Stimpmeter: 10.5 ft. Average green size: 5,500 sq. ft. TPC River Highlands Soil conditions: Sandy loam Cromwell, Conn. Rounds per year: 21,000 Green construction soil mix: USGA (80% sand; 20% peat) Course Management Acres of fairway: 25 Information Source of water: Lakes Acres of rough: 60 GCSAA Class A Director of Golf Course Drainage conditions: Excellent Operations: Sand bunkers: 119 Thomas M. DeGrandi Water hazards: 5 Availability to media: Contact Thomas M. DeGrandi by phone Course ratings 860-635-2954; fax 860-613-3911; email [email protected]

Education: Yardage Par Rating Slope

A.S., Turfgrass Management, University of Massachusetts (Stockbridge School), Red 4871 70 68.7 117 Amherst, Mass., 1993 Years as a GCSAA member: 21 GCSAA affiliated chapter: White 5873 70 68.6 121 Association of Golf Course Superintendents Years at this course: 18 Blue 6518 70 71.8 128 Previous positions: 1992-1994, Assistant Golf Course Gold 6820 70 73.1 131 Superintendent, TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Conn.; Golf Course Intern, Course characteristics Wethersfield Country Club, Wethersfield, Conn. Height of Previous tournament preparation: Primary Grasses 2004-2006 Buick Championship, TPC Cut River Highlands, Cromwell, Conn.; Tees Bentgrass 0.400" 1992-2003 Canon Greater Hartford Open, TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Fairways Bentgrass 0.400" Conn.; 2007-2010 Travelers Championship, TPC River Highlands, Greens Bentgrass 0.135" Cromwell, Conn. Kentucky bluegrass; Rough 3.5" perennial ryegrass; fine fescue

Syngenta Professional products is proud to support GCSAA and the efforts of GCSAA golf course superintendents to produce the finest quality tournament playing conditions.

build a championship course to host the event. Environmental Instead of building a new course, Dye recognized the potential the property that management/features housed Edgewood CC possessed and decided to redesign the existing course. TPC River Highlands was the 49th course to become fully-certified in the Audubon The TPC Connecticut, as it was called then, Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf hosted its first Travelers Championship in 1984, Courses (ACSP). The ACSP promotes with the first champion at the venue being Peter ecologically sound land management and the Jacobsen. Many of the new holes on the back conservation of our natural resources. Golf nine, especially the finishing holes, were courses can enhance and protect wildlife designed with spectators in mind, many habitat and water resources. This program containing natural amphitheaters for ideal provides an advisory information service about viewing. However, with the great taste of how to conduct proactive environmental change already on their plates, the course was projects for golf courses. The ACSP was redesigned again in 1989 and renamed the created by Audubon International and is TPC River Highlands. A most fitting name, sponsored by the United States Golf considering the course sits high atop the Association (USGA). Connecticut River. The redesign was undertaken by golf course architect Bobby DeGrandi and TPC River Highlands are Weed, with assistance from and multiple GCSAA/Golf Digest Environmental . TPC River Highlands is second Leaders in Golf Award. only to TPC Scottsdale for most spectators at a tour event.

Wildlife on the course A 23.5-acre practice facility was built in 2008 adjacent to the new First Tee of Connecticut Coyote; Deer; Fox; Rabbit; Many different four hole golf course. species of birds

Course architect/date: Interesting and historical course- Robert J. Ross and Maurice Kearney, 1928 related facts Most recent redesign/renovation: As the soothing bagpipes emanate through the Bobby Weed, 1998 cool morning air and across the dew-ridden landscape of TPC River Highlands, it signals the opening ceremonies of the Travelers Other key course personnel Championship. The setting for the Travelers Championship is an all too fitting throwback to st Noel Hall, 1 Assistant Superintendent the ancient game founded in Scotland and a Benjamin Newfang, reminder of the original course architect, R.J. nd 2 Assistant Superintendent Ross, cousin to legendary architect Donald Bill Whaley, Regional Manager/Director of Golf Ross. Doug Pierson, Horticulturist

The River Highlands course was not always the gallery-friendly venue viewers experience Golf course management facts today. The original piece of property was designed in 1928 and was known then as For additional information please visit the Edgewood Country Club. It laid untouched until GCSAA association news section or contact the 1982, when the Travelers Championship was Communications Department at 800-472-7878. looking for a new home to replace the original venue, Wethersfield CC. The Greater Hartford GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has Jaycees, who ran the Travelers Championship, as its focus golf course management. Since hired to come to Connecticut and 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 19,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. The association’s philanthropic organization, The Environmental Institute for Golf, works to strengthen the compatibility of golf with the natural environment through research grants, support for education programs and outreach efforts. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.

Syngenta Professional products is proud to support GCSAA and the efforts of GCSAA golf course superintendents to produce the finest quality tournament playing conditions.