Westhampton - This past weekend, The Travelers Championship offered a welcomed respite for professional golfers after a week of treachery known as the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Many of the top players in the game were still licking their wounds after getting beat up on the slick, tricky fairways and greens at Pebble. The Travelers Championship, played at the TPC River Highlands Course in Cromwell, Connecticut, offered a fun-filled, relaxing atmosphere with a plethora of activities for all ages, a golf course that welcomed birdies and scoring, a driving range the envy of the golf world and an exciting finish!

Justin Rose (cbq.com.qa)

Bubba Watson, the long-hitting southpaw from the Florida Panhandle, overcame a six-stroke deficit to force a playoff with Corey Pavin and Scott Verplank, after they all finished at 14-under par. Pavin was eliminated on the first playoff hole. Verplank came up short on a birdie putt on the second playoff hole, the par-3 16th. Watson beat Verplank with a par there to win his first tournament in 185 starts! Watson certainly impressed Ryder Cup captain Pavin but probably figured he would never be in a situation where he'd have to beat him while trying to earn a spot on the Ryder Cup team, not to mention out-driving Pavin on the final hole of regulation by 150 yards when Watson's drive hit the cart path and wound up measuring around 396 yards! (Watson is ranked third in driving distance with an average of 296 yards).

Justin Rose, who was coming off his first PGA Tour win earlier this month at the Memorial, had a five stroke lead after 36 holes and a three-stroke lead going into Sunday. But the 29-year-old Englishman was 1-over par on the front nine, and collapsed on the back, shooting a 5-over 75.

'Collapses' sound all too familiar lately but the golf did prove to be entertaining theatre among the festive atmosphere of the Travelers Championship. Just ask any of the enthusiastic fans who have become 'regulars' at this event, showing up year after year to root on the guys at their favorite tournament of the year. Stewart Cink, the 2009 British Open champion who won the Travelers Championship in 2008 and the tournament back in 1997, told me he adores the 'home town' feel of the tournament. "Ever since my first win here in 1997, I've had a good following here," said Cink. "The fans here make me feel like a home town guy. It's a good place to play and Connecticut really supports the event."

Cink described holes 15, 16, 17 and 18 on the TPC River Highlands course "four of the most exciting finishing holes in a group anywhere in the world." Holes 15-17 meander around a pond that provides added drama as players navigate home. The large pond comes into play to the left of the green of the 296-yard par-4, 15th hole. The green is small and multi-leveled with narrow shelves in the corner. The 16th hole is a 175-yard, par 3 that heads back over the pond. Its raised green leaves little room for error. And the par 4, 420-yard 17th is framed by the same pond on the right-hand side of the fairway. Players hit from an elevated tee. The pond comes into play on both the tee shot and the approach shot. A big grassy hill frames the left side and serves as part of an amphitheater for spectators who can view play on all three holes. And the 18th is a 444 yard, par 4 with a narrow undulating green guarded by bunkers on the right and a swale on the left, provides a challenging finish.

Ricky Fowler (zimbio.com)

PGA Tour rookie Ricky Fowler, playing in his second Travelers Championship, said he was happy to make the cut this year after shooting a 65 on Friday. Wearing a bright pink shirt and multi-colored plaid pants, Fowler talked about the enthusiasm of the galleries. "I love the fans. And I love to draw people into the game. It's pretty cool to be able to do that and to be able to give back."

Along with rock bands entertaining the crowd long after the golf had ended on Friday and Saturday evenings, Travelers does not miss a beat in catering to men, women and children, getting the community involved, donating to charities and recognizing the Military with Military Appreciation events throughout the week.

A variety of activities take place all week including the Celebrity Pro-Am, Women's Day and Men's Health Week. A large Fan Zone with games for children was set up behind the clubhouse. There was a gymnastics demonstration and earlier in the week, clinics and other activities for kids were also on the schedule.

One hundred percent of the Tournament's net proceeds go directly to charity. In 2009, Travelers donated $1.08 million to more than 130 non-profit organizations around the state including the tournament's official charities, 'The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp,' founded by the late actor Paul Newman and the Greater Hartford Jaycees.

The Travelers Championship deserves every award and accolade they receive for being one of the best-run tournaments on the schedule. If you are going to put on a professional golf tournament or any other professional sporting event for that matter, the Travelers Championship would make an excellent model.

Editor's Note: Be sure to join Ann Liguori and her celebrity friends at the Ann Liguori Foundation Outback Steakhouse Dinner Dance, benefiting the American Cancer Society and 'Healthy Children, Healthy Futures,' at Duck Walk Vineyards in Water Mill, on Saturday, July 17, starting at 6:30 p.m. Great food, wine, music and silent and live auction items that include sports memorabilia, golf trips, opportunities to play some of the top golf courses in the area and globally, Judith Ripka jewelry and much more! For more information go to www.annliguori.com.

Corey Pavin (i2.cdn.turner.com)