Photos by Matt Fiedler, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.00
TPC River Highlands 1 Golf Club Rd Cromwell, CT 06416
Year Opened: 1952
Capacity: 70,000
Traveling to TPC River Highlands
TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, CT is the home of the Travelers Championship. The tournament is held annually, usually in June. It has been held here since 1984 and has grown in stature over the years. The Travelers Championship was named the 2017 PGA Tournament of the year. More and more top golfers are coming to this tournament. It is now the only PGA event held in New England, and it does not disappoint. There is tremendous food, atmosphere and golf to be seen at this course. TPC River Highlands is not only an outstanding course but it is also an amazing place to come see a golf tournament.
Food & Beverage 4
The Travelers Championship offers a good array of food and beverage options. There is your standard sports fare, such as pretzels and ice cream. There are also hot dogs, hamburgers and wraps located in the main Fan Zone, which is near the final three holes of the course. There are some specialty burgers as well as some upscale options.
One of the more popular spots is Bears BBQ, which is located in the Fan Zone. The menu at Bears includes brisket, pulled pork, mac and cheese and many other bbq staples. Also available in the Fan Zone is a variety of cocktails and different kinds of beer. Ben and Jerry’s carts are located at various places along the course for fans looking for a sweet treat or some water. In addition to the general food areas, there are the premium seating areas that have their own upscale food. If you want to pay extra for a corporate outing or premium experience you won’t be disappointed by the food and views from those areas.
Atmosphere 5
The Travelers Championship does a great job of creating an environment that is conducive to some really fun times. There is honestly something for everyone at this tournament. There are many areas for families and kids. They have a rock wall, mini golf, and various other games to keep kids busy. The excitement coming down the stretch at the end of the tournament is awesome. Of course, that comes from the golfers and their shot making, but the tournament does a great job of enhancing that atmosphere.
The 18th green is a spectacle to behold. It comes into a bowl area that provides a perfect spot to just camp out and watch the golfers finish their rounds. The buzz in the air at the Travelers is contagious. The tournament has been able to attract a great field of golfers. Jordan Spieth, Brookes Koepka, Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson, Paul Casey and other big names attended the tournament in 2018.
Neighborhood 3
TPC River Highlands is located in the quaint town of Cromwell, CT. The town itself doesn’t offer up a ton of things to do. Luckily though, it is located near Hartford where there are plenty of restaurants, sporting events, and other things to do. As far as safety goes, Cromwell is a very safe area and the neighborhood surrounding TPC River Highlands is a safe and easygoing neighborhood.
Fans 5
The fans that flock to TPC River Highlands are very diverse. There are certain groups that form around certain golfers. You have the fans who support Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and others. Some fans even choose to follow their favorite golfer around the whole course. The fans are all very passionate about golf. While walking around you can hear people talking about different shots and approaches the golfers were taking. The fans are very courteous and respectful of everyone in attendance. As much as each person has their own favorite golfer, the whole crowd is united in their love of the game.
Access 3
Getting to TPC River Highlands isn’t the easiest task. The course is in Cromwell, CT, which is a few towns south of Hartford. The course itself isn’t located immediately next to any of the major highways. To get to the course you have to take a bit of a tough route through the town. Once you get into the parking lot though you will see that there is plentiful parking. Once inside the course it is very easy to navigate. Be warned though that the course does have some big hills if you plan on walking the entire course.
Return on Investment 4
The return on investment at the Travelers Championship is very good. Children 15 and under get in free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. There are plenty of free things to do once you get inside the venue. In addition to seeing some of the best players in the world you can demo some clubs, climb a rock wall, and play some corn hole. The only thing that keeps this from being 5 stars is that some of the food is a bit pricey. A burger, fries and a drink can run you around $17-$20.
Extras 4
One star goes to the great food that is provided at TPC River Highlands. BBQ, burgers, ice cream and wraps are all top notch and first class.
A second star goes to the staff that do a great job in being attentive and making sure everyone knows where to go and how to get there.
A third star goes to the fact that the tournament is so kid friendly. It has many activities for people of all ages to enjoy while enjoying a day at the links.
A final star goes to the beautiful course and the ending holes that are challenging and exciting to watch. It makes for some very thrilling finishes.
Final Thoughts
TPC River Highlands is a beautiful course and a perfect setting to host a tournament like the Travelers Championship. This tournament is awesome and if you happen to be a golf fan in New England or outside of it, this is a must-see event. You’ll get great food, great golf, and an awesome atmosphere. Stadium Journey highly recommends it.