CROMWELL — When the PGA Tour players return to TPC at River Highlands in June for the Travelers Championship, they won’t have to be concerned about warming up right next to one another, almost being able to shake hands with their neighbor.

And they won’t have to wait to find a spot on what was the old driving range at the course. That’s because the new range, all 100,000 square feet of it, opens next month. Not only will there be plenty of room for the pros to hit all kinds of shots, but the spectators will even have a closer view to watch them work.

“It wasn’t like a guy would not come because of the range, but it was a piece of the puzzle,” Travelers Championship Tournament Director Nathan Grube said.

“It was not an asset. It was a hindrance. Now, we can put it in the entire plus column. I want them to walk out here and say, ‘I’m comfortable here. I can work on my game here,’ and not think about what they can’t do.”

The project cost about $4.5 million, split between the tournament budget, Travelers and the PGA Tour.

Twenty-two acres of it include the huge teeing area, nine target greens the pros can hit to several bunkers and two putting greens, including one used with a chipping area.

And for those driving in to the grounds along the range, don’t worry: the length of the range from end to end is 360 yards, with the end of the range making a steep incline to where the cars are driving to the parking lot.

The grand opening for the facility is May 5.

Defending Travelers champion Hunter Mahan is expected to be in attendance.

“Someone on our staff saw Hunter at the Houston Open (two weeks ago) and, ‘How’s the facility look?’ were the first words out of his mouth,” Grube said. “We did a lot of work in the fall before we put it to bed. Then we had to wait out the winter. The (winter) weather cooperated.”

During the Travelers, spectators will be able to enter the grounds and immediately find a seat on the hill and watch the pros. There will also be a concession stand behind the cart path.

Next year, the four practice holes will be ready, as part of the new First Tee facility being created.

So what about the old range? Spectators will now be able to walk down those steps to what Grube said will be a dining area which will include fish, lobster and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, among other specialities.

The net that guards the 17th fairway will be taken down so people can walk freely through the old range down to the 17th hole, making for less traffic on the 18th hole, which runs parallel to the range.

“We have the land and geographic location to do this,” Grube said.

If food or the driving range isn’t your thing, there will also be a fan zone at the entrance, where people can take their own hacks on a swing simulator or play video games.

“This will set the tone to say, ‘There’s a lot more going on here than just golf,’” Grube said.

“Last year, fans felt like it was an elevated experience, a premiere sporting event. They wanted some type of interactive experience. We wanted to bring it (the expo) back in 2007, but with the construction (of the range), we couldn’t. So we waited for things to get finished.”

Now the range is just about completed.

Two months from now, players and fans alike will get a chance to see how far this tournament has come from almost becoming extinct from the PGA Tour two years ago.

GOLF PRIVILEGE CARD
Now available for golfers is the 2008 Southern New England Golf Privilege Card. Players can use the card at more than 125 courses in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

The card is $44.95 and entitles the buyer to free or reduced greens fees at 29 Connecticut courses listed on the card.
The card can be purchased online at www.lungne.org/ or at Play It Again Sports outlets in Southington, Waterbury and West Hartford.
All proceeds will go to the American Lung Association. Each card is good throughout the season.