The Travelers Championship officially begins on Thursday, but Wednesday was action on the course and it was all about entertainment.
The celebrity pro-am tee started around noon and there was a healthy mix of celebrities at the TPC River Highlands.
Among the invitees were former professional athletes, actors, singers and some UConn trainers. They took to the course in foggy and slightly rainy conditions but that didn’t dampen their spirits.
The celebrity pro-am began with a moving rendition of the national anthem, sung by The Voice season 1 winner Javier Colon, who failed to hit a single sour note. The same can’t be said for some of the celebs who have to take mulligans off the first tee.
Among those who have attended the event on several occasions is Connecticut native and national sports broadcaster Chris Berman of ESPN.
“I’m proud of the people of Connecticut,” Berman said. “Because we’re looking good this week.”
Whether it’s sports or appearing on stage, the celebrities on Wednesday’s list can handle pressure but say it might be a little different.
“Try to stand over a 2-foot putt in front of a gallery of lightning-fast downhill greens in both directions,” joked 1984 Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie.
Luckily for the celebs, they were each paired with a pro. PGA Tour member Aaron Wise said he understands what it must be like for the celebrities.
“I can’t see myself throwing a first pitch or anything like that,” Wise said. “I’m sure they feel that way.”
UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma was under the weather on Wednesday and retired, but assistant coach Chris Dailey was there to represent the Huskies.
“I just hope I don’t [hurt] Everyone on the first drive,” she joked before hitting a very respectable first drive straight down the middle of the fairway.
Hitting them straight and long is key to the game, but for former Red Sox knuckleball ace Tim Wakefield, he prefers to stick with what he does best.
“I wish I could hit a knuckleball; It flies a lot further, but unfortunately it has too much spin,” he said with a big smile.
As celebrities and pros teeed off, people lined the fairways trying to get a glimpse and maybe a little more of their heroes.
Brother and sister Maddie and Trey Wallace from Wolcott were there and walked away with loads of autographs.
“I got Rory [Mcilroy] until now. I have Scottie Scheffler and I have Kevin Kisner and I have his glove and he signed it for me,” said Trey, who is a talented young golfer himself.
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