June 23, 2012

PITTSBORO, NC — The #1 tournament in amateur golf brought aboard a new requirement for its players effective immediately. Golfers attending the 2013 Carl Spackler Open are required to submit at least 2 scorecards between June 10, 2012 and their 2013 signing date.

"The Carl Spackler Open has a new requirement," says Chairman of the Captains Club Greg Long. "The Captains Club is no longer accepting registrations without at least two scorecards posted at poststats.com. Scorecards must be posted after June 10, 2012. This is a long-term move towards improving the golf event."

Golfers are encouraged to pre-register and re-register upon the date and venue announcement. Golfers can also pay their non-refundable non-transferrable deposit, however registrations and deposits will be held until the scorecard requirement is met.

"This is going to be a work in progress," says Greg Long. "We understand people are busy and also realize the scorecard requirement could result in less attendance moving forward. The change is a step forward towards 2020 and beyond. We plan to reassess the scorecard requirement and late-entries this winter and make changes as needed."

The Captains Club is expecting a jump in attendance this coming year to be offset by the new requirement. "A date change is most likely coming in 2013," says Greg Long. It could very well be held in mid-May or late-June. Possible dates for the 2013 Carl Spackler Open are located in the website itinerary.

In other news... the Captains Club opened the venue list. The group added of the best kept secrets in public golf on Saturday. The Fred Couples designed course, Chapel Ridge, opens the short 2013 venue list. The wonderful golf facility is located just northwest of downtown Pittsboro, NC.

"This place is a future Carl Spackler Open venue just waiting to happen," says Captains Club member Jeremy Myers. "Everything about this place screams Spackler."

Chapel Ridge Golf Club combines the course design talents of Bob Moore and the player design skills of Fred Couples. The rolling hills land has been molded into a championship course reminiscent of the old traditional courses found in the United States.

"Where do you start with this kind of setup," says a very satisfied Jeremy Myers after his round in April 2011. "There are 14 or 15 signature-style holes out there. The facility is manicured wonderfully and far from boredom."

Myers joined Greg Long, Chris Milam, and Mark Palmer in April 2011 for a scouting trip. The group played 90 holes over four days, but seemed very impressed with Chapel Ridge.

"Transportation would pass the Carolina Brewery on the way to the course everyday," says Myers. "The brewery is probably 4 minutes from the golf course and yes... they have tours."

The setup includes hotels and entertainment from Apex, NC. The single disappointment is distance to lodging.

"The starting hole at Chapel Ridge rivals the greatness of Rock Hollow," says Chairman of the Captains Club Greg Long. "The course delivers pleasure early and often. It is not Poplar Grove in Amherst, VA or Conklin Players Club in Conklin, NY, however it does whisper 'this is a great hole' at least 14 times."

Long added, "The setting is in the middle of nowhere. It is exactly the kinda courses that work best. The feel surrounding the practice facility is probably the best ever experienced anywhere. The clubhouse is a large rectanglar building with a large backside patio with rocking chairs. You step off the patio onto a very large flat range. The large putting green is adjacent. One of the best practice facilities ever designed.

You flip the nines and clearly have the best finishing hole in Carl Spackler Open history. The 9th from the tee or as a fan is pretty awesome."

The venue was considered strong prior to the 2011 scouting visit, but really surprised Myers and Long. "Chapel Ridge is a top notch opportunity," says Long. "The idea of returning to North Carolina was not top of mind until this experience. It quickly rose to the top of the venue list."

Chapel Ridge Golf Club has been added to the 2013 venue list. A decision on date and venue will occur in November 2012.