Glover heads to Hartford, sends trophy to Sea Island

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CROMWELL, Conn. -- Lucas Glover got a lot of congratulatory handshakes and pats on the back Wednesday as he prepared for his afternoon tee time in the Travelers Championship pro-am.

One of the first people he saw when he got to TPC River Highlands was his former Clemson teammate, Charles Warren, "and that was a big hug," the newly-crowned U.S. Open champ said. And one of the first places Glover went was to the Nike trailer to say thanks to the guys who make sure his every equipment need is fulfilled each week.

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Lucas Glover sent his trophy to be with the people who got him where he is while he headed to Connecticut for this week's tournament.

"There were 12 or 15 guys, caddies, reps from all the companies, it was wonderful," Glover said. "It was very gratifying."

Glover will honor his commitment to play in the next four tournaments. "I feel that's the right thing to do," he explained. "Just because I won a golf tournament doesn't change anything." And his good friend Zach Johnson, the 2007 Masters champ, told Glover that getting back into competition is the best thing he can do after a major breakthrough.

The 29-year-old also wanted to thank the folks at Sea Island, the coastal Georgia resort where his instructor Mike Taylor, sports psychologist Morris Pickens and fitness guru Randy Myers are based. Glover can be frequently found there at the practice range, which is nicknamed "The Hang."

So Glover decided to send the U.S. Open trophy home with his wife Jennifer, agent Mac Barnhardt and good friend David Everett on Wednesday afternoon. Jennifer was dropped off in Greenville, S.C., where the Glovers make their home, and Barnhardt and Everett took the trophy with them to Sea Island.

Glover asked the two men to deliver the trophy to Bill Jones III, who is the chairman and CEO of Sea Island, and David Bansmer, the president and COO, along with his appreciation for their long-time support. The trophy will be on display at several of the resort properties for the next few weeks.

Someone asked Glover whether the trophy had a first-class seat on the plane Wednesday.

"You could say that, yes sir," he said with a grin.