For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian Boyer
[email protected]
860-960-7525
Cromwell, Conn. (Monday, April 8) – Henry Hughes, co-chairman of the 1975 Sammy Davis Jr, Greater Hartford Open, now the Travelers Championship, and long-time executive with the PGA TOUR, is being honored for his many contributions to the tournament and local golf with the establishment of a scholarship fund in his name at the First Tee – Connecticut. The scholarship, the Henry Hughes First Tee – Connecticut Scholarship, will support educational needs of deserving First Tee – Connecticut participants, as well as selected programming needs of the organization in the Greater Hartford community.
Hughes grew up in Wethersfield, Conn., in the shadows of the tournament and spent his youth and early adult life attending, working at, or managing the tournament. In 1984, Hughes began his career with the PGA TOUR as director of marketing for TPC Connecticut and two years later moved to TOUR headquarters in Ponte Vedra, FL to become the TOUR’s first director of marketing. Hughes later assumed responsibility for the TOUR’s Championship Management and Tournament Business Affairs Division, overseeing 13 tournaments including The President’s Cup, The Players Championship, The TOUR Championship and the World Golf Championships.
Throughout his career with the TOUR, Hughes never forgot his roots and deep affection for Connecticut’s PGA TOUR event. Over the years, he provided invaluable guidance and assistance to tournament management. In fact, Hughes played a significant role in 2003 when he helped save the tournament which had to raise over $4 million from the Connecticut corporate community to remain on the TOUR after the departure of long-time title sponsor Canon, USA. Following his retirement from executive leadership at the PGA TOUR, he served for many years on the Board of Directors for the Greater Hartford Community Foundation which oversees the Travelers Championship.
Ted May, long-time tournament board member and one of the founders of First Tee – Connecticut added, “Without Henry’s guidance and support in those very challenging years, we might not have remained on the PGA TOUR or at the very least, would be a very different tournament than we are today. Often behind the scenes, Henry was a major advocate for Connecticut’s PGA TOUR event and was instrumental with building Connecticut’s First Tee chapter into what it has become today.“
During his many years and positions with the TOUR, Hughes played significant roles in developing and advising on the national growth of the First Tee program, including the First Tee – Connecticut in Cromwell. He became a strong advocate of the First Tee’s mission because of the positive influence it has on the lives of young people.
Mark Moriarty, First Tee – Connecticut CEO added “Henry’s lengthy and successful career at the PGA TOUR, First Tee’s founding partner, has had a tremendous impact on the game, and specifically on our chapter’s success throughout Connecticut. Everyone at First Tee – Connecticut is extremely grateful to be a part of this tribute to his successful career.”
Hughes continues to reside in Ponte Vedra, FL with his wife Patty.
Donations to the scholarship fund in honor of Henry Hughes can be made online, by mail to 55 Golf Club Road in Cromwell, CT 06416 or by phone at (860) 882-1660 with reference to the Henry Hughes First Tee – Connecticut Scholarship.
About First Tee – Connecticut
First Tee – Connecticut (officially known as the Connecticut Golf Foundation Tax; ID# 06-1510744) is a 501 c3 youth development organization that enables kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges by seamlessly integrating the game of golf with First Tee’s life skills curriculum. More than 50 trained coaches and volunteers consistently work to create active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. In 2023 First Tee – Connecticut positively impacted nearly 65,000 young people through programs at 17 outdoor golf facilities, in 185 elementary schools and in partnership with more than 30 local youth service agencies. Now in its 25th year of operation, the chapter’s leadership works tirelessly to strengthen existing partnerships while developing new relationships, with a strategic goal of reaching young people from underserved and underrepresented communities across Connecticut. For additional information about First Tee – Connecticut, we invite you to review our most recent Annual Report (2022) and this video (created and produced by our friends at Comcast/Xfinity) which highlights our strategic work in the community.
