Gov. Dannel P. Malloy was happy to attend the opening ceremonies of the Travelers Championship today, a golf tournament that has produced nearly $30 million for local charities over the years, while drawing tourists and a worldwide television audience.
But Malloy confesses that the nuances of golf held little allure for him during his formative years, athletically speaking. Malloy, whose political style tends to the blunt, preferred the bruising game of rugby, which he gave up only after committing to run for mayor of Stamford in 1995.
“I played rugby for 22 years,” said Malloy, who says he has played golf on occasion. “That’s the period of time I should have learned how to play golf. I never did. I’ve missed that opportunity.”
Golf and rugby do have one thing in common: Both have been added as Olympic sports for 2016 and 2020.
Travelers play begins Thursday at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell. This year’s field includes Webb Simpson, the winner Sunday of the U.S. Open.
Malloy at TPC River Highlands.