The PGA Tour and Travelers are in "contract negotiations to extend title sponsorship for the Travelers Championship beyond 2014," according to Tom Yantz of the HARTFORD COURANT. Travelers Exec VP & Chief Administrative Officer Andy Bessette on Monday said, "Yes, we want to extend it." He added, "We're going through terms and conditions. We're not only the title sponsor of the tournament, but also an official marketing partner of the tour, too. So that's two big agreements. We are just starting out to define what they need and what we need." Travelers has been the tournament title sponsor since '07 (HARTFORD COURANT, 6/18). Golfer Brad Faxon said, "Travelers was really the first title sponsor in the modern age to beef up players' services. The golf course is better, and the practice range is one of the best in the world" (HARTFORD COURANT, 6/19). Meanwhile, in Hartford, Jeff Jacobs writes the tournament has "become known as the place where a young golfer gets a sponsor's exemption to make his pro debut." There is a "long list" of players who have "debuted at Cromwell and remain loyal to the tournament." The legacy "continues every bit as strong, if not stronger with Travelers." Bessette said, "We're one of five hometown sponsors on the PGA Tour and for us it's about wanting to treat people like family" (HARTFORD COURANT, 6/19).
LOOKING FOR LOVE: In Edmonton, Evan Daum notes with CN "ready to pull its sponsorship" of the LPGA Canadian Women’s Open, Golf Canada and Tournament Dir Brent McLaughlin are "putting the finishing touches on securing a new sponsor for the first time in eight years." McLaughlin said, "We’re confident that the event is going to go forward and we’re confidently approaching a new title sponsor." He added, "We’re hoping that just prior to this event, or just shortly after this event, we will make an announcement." Daum notes despite CN not renewing its sponsorship of the tournament, the company "won’t be leaving the golf world entirely, instead opting to increase their support of Golf Canada junior golf initiatives, including the Future Links program" (EDMONTON JOURNAL, 6/19).
