CROMWELL – Movie star Leslie Neilsen (Naked Gun, Naked Gun 2-1/2, Naked Gun 33-1/3) and former Hartford Whaler and two-time NHL All-Star Kevin Dineen will participate in the GHO Travelers Celebrity Pro-Am on Wednesday, July 23, at the TPC at River Highlands.

Neilsen and Dineen will join Pro-Am regulars Governor John Rowland, ESPN anchor Chris Berman, and University of Connecticut basketball coaches Jim Calhoun and Geno Auriemma. Neilsen has always been a big hit at the Pro-Am, entertaining the galleries with his unique style of humor.

“Leslie Neilsen was a huge hit with the fans last year,” said Cindy Demma, 2003 GHO Tournament Chair, “and we are excited to have him back. Kevin Dineen should be a terrific draw for all the hockey fans here in Connecticut.”

Neilsen is best known for his role as Lieutnant Frank Drebin in the Police Squad and Naked Gun movies. Neilsen, a native of Canada, has appeared in more than 100 movies and television shows. Dineen was a third round pick of the Hartford Whalers in 1982 and played 12 of his 19 years with the Whalers. He retired last fall after playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“The Governor, Berman, Calhoun and Auriemma always have great groups of fans come out to see them,” said tournament director Dan Baker. “Sometimes Berman has so many autograph seekers we have to pick him up in a cart and run him to the next tee because the fans love chatting with him. And we could not be any more fortunate to have the two best college basketball coaches here in our backyard. Jim and Geno are always supportive of the GHO and we are thrilled to have them come back every year.”

Berman won his third Broadcaster of the Year award in 2002 and was once again honored by his peers for his role on ESPN’s NFL Game Day. Berman is one of two broadcasters left from ESPN’s original team. Berman is entering his 11th year as the Travelers Celebrity Host of the GHO Celebrity Pro-Am.

In other news –

Peter Jacobsen, 49, who won the Sammy Davis Jr. GHO in 1984, and high school sensation Ty Tryon, at 19, have committed to compete in the 2003 Greater Hartford Open. Jacobsen will compete in his 20th and last career GHO. Tryon will be playing in his first GHO.

Tryon joins Aaron Baddeley in Hartford to give the GHO the two best professional golfers in the world aged 23 and under. Previously announced commitments include two time defending champion Phil Mickelson, John Daly, Mark Calcavecchia, Suzy Whaley and New England natives Brad Faxon, Billy Andrade, Ken Green and Brett Quigley plus International players Aaron Baddeley, Alex Cejka, Per-Ulrik Johansson, David Smail and Carl Pettersson.

“The Connecticut golf fans love to see Peter here at the GHO because he is so entertaining and interactive with them,” said Demma. “We are excited to have Ty Tryon make his New England professional debut here at the GHO.”

Jacobsen captured the first Sammy Davis, Jr. GHO played at the TPC at River Highlands back in 1984. “Jake” has won five other times on the PGA Tour and made more $6 million in his career. Tryon earned his 2002 PGA Tour card at the age of 17 in December 2001 at Q School, the youngest player ever at 17 years, six months and one day Tryon has shot low rounds of 65 at two different PGA Tour events, the 2001 BC Open, where he played as an amateur and the 2002 Tampa Bay Classic, where he made his first cut as a professional.

Tickets for the Greater Hartford Open are currently on sale and may be purchased by calling 1-877-GHO-2003 or by logging on to web at www.ghogolf.com.