All Hail Broke Loose

By BOB CONNORS

Updated 9:31 AM EST, Tue, Jul 21, 2009

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Most stories that come out of the Travelers Championship have to do with golf. This one does not. This one has to do with the struggle for survival (ok, I'm being a little dramatic).

Nevertheless, the story begins with the Travelers offering a new event for fans this week, two concerts planned after play finished on Friday night, and Saturday night. Friday's event was canceled because of the violent storms that moved through the area, so even with a minor weather delay Saturday, the Travelers folks were happy to get the concert underway after the final putt of the day.

The Colbys took the stage around 7:30 in the new Fan Zone at the TPC, and they sounded great. The 150 people or so that had waited out the weather delay, were having fun, dancing, and enjoying a nice evening along the 18th fairway.

Fans were having so much fun, that many didn't notice the darkening skies above them. I say "them", but I was one of "them". So as the Colbys were deep into their fourth or fifth song, it happened. A white flash of light, and an almost immediate crack of thunder changed the mood in the Fan Zone. Concert-goers were now paying very close attention to the now-ominous looking clouds above.

Everyone, including myself, began making their way up the hill back towards the clubhouse as the skies opened up. At first it was big rain drops, but they were quickly replaced by marble-sized hail. So here I find myself, along with everyone else, running for the exits as we were being pelted by ice cubes falling from 20,000 feet. A five-minute walk may not seem like it's long, but when you are out in a situation like that for that amount of time, it feels like an eternity.

I finally made it to the cover of the media center, and watched as the storm continued to pound the TPC with heavy rain, lightning, and wind for nearly 45 minutes. After 30 minutes or so, I did learn that someone near the corporate tents on the 18th, was struck by lightning. If I had to guess, I would say it was probably that first big white flash when it happened, because it was so close to where we were. I understand the person was conscious, and is alright, but was taken to the hospital just as a precaution.

I talked to NBC Connecticut meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan after the storm. He showed me the radar loop of what had occurred over Cromwell. He told me there was no way to predict what had happened. The radar confirmed that, as he showed me the storm actually develop right over the course. Ryan's radar screen was nothing but clear skies over Cromwell, but in a matter of minutes, depicted green, then yellow, and eventually red echoes, which as most know, means severe weather.

As I drove home, my clothes sopping wet, I couldn't help but think about the Colbys, the band that was playing when all of this happened. As everyone else scattered, they had thousands of dollars of instruments and equipment left out there in the storm. I hope none of it was too damaged, because they were a great band, and I'd like the chance to see them finish their set.

To follow NBC Connecticut producer Bob Connors on Twitter click here: http://twitter.com/nbcctgolfguy