July 3, 2006

OTTAWA LAKE, MI — The Legacy Golf Club is an upscale golf course with the superb conditions and atmosphere like a resort. The 4 1/2 star ranked course by Golf Digest in 2002 is now ranked 4 stars, however conditions are super. This Arthur Hills designed masterpiece is located in southeastern Michigan and 15 minutes from Toledo.

There are five lakes including a true island green on Hole #8. The bent grass fairways and greens are plush and electric golf carts have a ProLink GPS system that gives pin placements and yardage.

Jason Watson, Jay Dilks, Greg Long, and Brian Long of the Captains Club scouted downtown Toledo last summer, the Toledo area, and southern Michigan before heading to the golf facility. The course stays on the list for the potential 2007 site.

"We were pleased with our visit," says Jason Watson of the Captains Club. "We have plenty of information regarding the golf course, lodging, and entertainment."

The Legacy is unique facility including cottages on the golf course sleeping eight golfers each. Each cottage includes full kitchen, grill, outdoor hot tub, and satelite television. There are two bedrooms downstairs, one with a queen bed, the other with two single beds. Also downstairs, there is a sleeper sofa in the living room. In the loft, upstairs, there are two a-frame beds (bunk beds with a single bed on top and a double bed on the bottom).

"A hackers dream," says Jay Dilks. "The Legacy demands high points and lower scores. In fact, with the exception of Hole #8, it is impossible to lose a ball on the front nine. A lost ball on the front would be a horses ass nomination."

The front nine boast wide open fairways, a handful of trees, and 26 bunkers. The back nine boasts Hole #14 with water down the left side of the fairway. Then Hole #15 with water down the left side of the fairway. Then the only hole with woods. The 16th hole is a par 3. The 17th hole is the hardest tee shot requiring 175-200 yards over lilly pads. The final hole once again requires 175 yards before the ball hits land, but also requires a shot to not slice into a second lake that funnels in front of the green.

"The conditioning is supreme," says Greg Long. "The rough is actually watered and probably the best I have played since 1994. In addition, the greens are outstanding and the ball rolls true, flat, and similar to your kitchen floor. Fairways are plush and bunkers feel great between the toes."

"The back nine is very wet," says Brian Long. "With that said, this course is very easy. When someone like me shoots in the 80's, you cannot ignore that. In fact, a large percentage of the field could hit career high points for their Spackler career."

The entertainment boasts group activites including a Toledo Mudhen baseball game picnic and Sodbusters Saloon. The bus will leave the Sodbusters Saloon for the baseball game 60 minutes before game time. "I can assure everyone," says Watson. "The golf course, lodging, and entertainment are much different than in June 2006. A Mudhen home game is just icing on the cake."

A second course has been added to the venue list from the state of Michigan. The Coyote Preserve in Fenton, Michigan was added two weeks ago. The 4 1/2 star venue will be researched over the next few weeks and visited after quotes are received.

Stonelick Hills and Legendary Run in eastern Cincinnati were eliminated last week due to price. Lassing Pointe in very northern Kentucky was eliminated after research returned a "no alcohol" policy.

The 2007 Carl Spackler Open begins on June 6, 2007. Invitations are scheduled for November 15, 2006.