United Technologies yesterday announced that it has "extended its commitment as presenting sponsor" of the WTA Connecticut Open through '17, according to Paul Doyle of the HARTFORD COURANT. UTC signed on as presenting sponsor last year, but the deal ran through '15 and there "was uncertainty for the tournament beyond this year." The tournament, formerly known as the Pilot Pen and New Haven Open, "was nearly sold and moved to North Carolina" in '13. Tournament Dir Anne Worcester said, "It is as crucial as crucial can be. If they hadn't committed, I was going to have to go spend 24/7 of my time inviting potential title sponsors to the tournament, to try and use the tournament to sell. So it gives us a lot more security and stability" (HARTFORD COURANT, 6/10). Meanwhile, in Connecticut, Chris Elsberry reports starting on June 22 in a new program entitled the 50/50 Project, any nonprofit organization "can register with the CT Open, receive a promo code number and then, give that number out to prospective ticket buyers." When the buyers purchase tickets to the tournament, they "can type in the promo code number and that non-profit organization will receive" 50% of the proceeds from the sale. Worcester: "We're hoping that it really makes an impact and allows our state-wide charities to fundraise." Elsberry notes this comes after the nearby PGA Tour Travelers Championship "has been working with non-profits for several years, hosting its 'Chip in for Charity' where non-profits, groups, sports teams and local businesses can sell tickets to the golf tournament" for $20 with 50% going to the charity of choice. Worcester: "We've learned a lot from golf. I have to say that (Travelers Championship tournament director) Nathan Grube has been a fantastic mentor and an amazing resource" (CONNECTICUT POST, 6/10).
