Just thought I’d empty out my reporter’s notebook while welcoming Danny Hurley safely back to Storrs after dancing with the devils in Hollywood last weekend …
It’s Travelers time
It doesn't get any better this week for Connecticut golf fans as Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Colin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas travel from Pinehurst, North Carolina, to Cromwell, Connecticut, after competing in this weekend’s U.S. Open.
The 2024 Travelers Championship at the TPC Highlands in Cromwell is here. Scheduled for June 17-23, the Travelers is different this year. It is now one of the PGA Tour’s prestigious Signature Events and features one of the best, most exclusive player fields in golf where everyone will compete in all four rounds. The tournament is expected to generate millions of dollars for local charities and once again is the only PGA Tour event in the Northeast.
“This year marks another tremendous milestone for our tournament, and we couldn’t have become a PGA Tour Signature Event without the commitment of our title sponsor, Travelers, and everyone in the community who supported us along the way – from our corporate partners to volunteers and charities,” Travelers Championship Tournament Director Nathan Grube said in a press statement. “We’ve stayed focused on making our event better each year, and there are several new features in store for players and spectators alike. We’re looking forward to hosting the world’s best players over four incredible days of competition and putting on the best show our fans have ever seen in Connecticut.”
Pro golfers aiming for the 3.6 million dollar winner’s share this week will be challenged by a new TPC River Highlands course that has undergone competitive enhancements to select holes, with new tee boxes, narrower fairways and smaller greens.
Yup, TPC is no longer going to be treated like a Cape Cod Chip and Putt by the tour pros. There will also be improvements to the onsite experience for fans with upgraded venues and new concession areas.
“From day one, we’ve pledged to make this a world-class event on the PGA Tour so that our fans, volunteers, sponsors, and the community can have a memorable experience and be proud of the Travelers Championship,” said Andy Bessette, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Travelers, in a press statement.
The Travelers began in 1952 as the Insurance City Open. The tournament’s name changes and sponsors over the years have included: Greater Hartford Open (1967); Sammy Davis Jr. Greater Hartford Open (1973); Canon Sammy Davis Jr. Greater Hartford Open (1985); Canon Greater Hartford Open (1989); Greater Hartford Open (2003); Buick Championship (2004); Travelers Championship (2007).
From Arnold Palmer winning sudden death playoffs in 1956 and 1960 to Phil Mickelson winning back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002, the Travelers has been a big part of the Nutmeg State’s rich and illustrious sports history.
Chasen recognized by CIAC
Great to see this year’s CIAC state baseball tournament dedicated to former Norwich native Barry Chasen. Chasen was honored during a nice ceremony prior to Saturday’s state championship games at Palmer Field in Middletown.
Chasen is a stalwart of Connecticut baseball as a player, coach and umpire for more than 50 years. As a player, he was a member of some of the best amateur baseball leagues in the state.
As a coach at Windsor High School, his teams won two state championships in 27 appearances in the tournament. They also captured 10 league championships. His 1979 team, which defeated Staples in the Class LL final, were ranked No. 3 in the country. Chasen’s 1991 team, which defeated Greenwich in the Class LL final, was ranked No. 1 in Connecticut.
Since 1966 to the present, Chasen has umpired at every amateur level there is. He also has been involved in community projects that brought better facilities and equipment to local towns. He is truly a legend in Connecticut baseball circles. Congrats, Barry.
Big spring
Has anyone had a better spring than Norwich Free Academy junior Chris Amy? Amy was named the Boys Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association.
Amy filled up his trophy case with a memorable spring that included: ECC champion in shot put (ECC record) and discus (school record); Class LL champion in shot put; State Open champion in shot put and discus; and third place finish in the shot put at the New England championships.
Sea Unicorns update
As of Friday afternoon, the defending Futures League champion Norwich Sea Unicorns sit in second place in the league standings with a 10-7 mark. The Sea Unicorns are just a half game behind the Westfield Starfires (9-5). Right behind the Sea Unicorns are the Brockton Rox (8-6), Worcester Bravehearts (9-8), New Britain Bees (9-8) and the Vermont Lake Monsters (7-9).
Sea Unicorns manager Kevin Murphy told me a few weeks ago that everyone is going to finish around .500. He may be right.
“It’s going to be really competitive this year,” Murphy said. “Some teams have gotten a little better than last year. Everyone is going to end up around .500. It’s going to be a back and forth summer.”
The Sea Unicorns’ Christian Stratis (UAB) is leading the league in batting with a .429 average. Sea Unicorns pitcher Gavin Hawkes (Rider) leads the league in wins (3), while teammate Andrew Rondini (William and Mary) has a league best 0.60 ERA.
Olympic shoot and miss
Memo to Dawn Staley, Seimone Agustus, Delisha Milton-Jones, Jennifer Rizzotti, and Bethany Donaphin:
Please don’t try to explain to me why you left Caitlin Clark off the Olympic women’s basketball team. None of your answers, especially “we’re trying to pick the best team,” will suffice. My daughter Anya, a high school swimmer at Sacred Heart Academy, could be on the roster and you’d still win the gold medal.
Sincerely, J.Z.
Top Man in Blue
Kudos to Rich “Sarge” Pasqualini of the Eastern Board who has been chosen as the 2024 Connecticut High School Coaches Association Umpire of the Year. Pasqualini will be honored at the All State Banquet on Tuesday, June 18 at the Aqua Turf in Southington.
Stuck in the '70s
On June 21, 1978, the first-place Boston Red Sox widened their lead in the AL East with a 9-2 victory over the New York Yankees before 32,459 raucous fans at Fenway Park.
Butch Hobson capped the Red Sox’s six-run third inning with a two-run homer off reliever Dick Tidrow. Poor Catfish Hunter. The future Hall of Famer relieved Tidrow in the eighth inning and immediately gave up back-to-back moonshot homers to Fred Lynn and George Scott.
Future Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley went the distance on the mound to improve to 7-2. Eck scattered six hits, struck out seven, and ended the game by striking out Jay Johnstone looking.
When the last Fenway Frank was eaten, the Sox (47-21) had a seven-game lead over the Yankees (38-28).
Jimmy Zanor is a sportswriter for the Norwich Bulletin and can be reached at jzanor@norwichbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter@jzanorNB.
