February 28, 2005

MAHANOY CITY, PA — As the date of Golf?s biggest tournament draws a mere three months away, a small contingent of the 2005 Carl Spackler Open field will begin their quest as the month of March settles upon us. This proves once again that the Golden Jacket is the most coveted prize in golf.

Players hoping to gain an advantage on the rest of the field are current Webb Award holder Jason Watson, Skills Challenge winner Greg Garrett, 2002 On Tour Champion Chris Lashley, 2003 Champion Tom Fowble, 2003 Scramble winner Mike Lewis, and 2003 Carl Spackler Jon Munksgard. All of these guys will be inspecting every inch of their golf swings in preparation for the big one.

"I?m definitely stepping up my preparation a notch," says Jon Munksgard. I want to prove to myself, and to the golf world, that my pair of 2003 outfits were a fluke. My game has no direction except up right now, and I want that Championship Trophy so badly I can taste it.  It is not like this course sets up for my game, but something has to give."

The major championship sets a new record this year with a field of 23 guys from Ohio and a field of 23 guys from Pennsylvania.  A record 26 rookies are also scheduled for attendance.

Word has it that Chris Lashley has been working feverishly on his bunker play and his control in preparation for the sand traps and dense forest that guard various areas of the course.  Greg Garrett is widely known to the circuit as the best player to never have won a major.

"Things are moving very well with my preparations," says Greg Garrett.  "My swing doctor has removed all the butterflies and replaced them with confidence."

The 2005 Carl Spackler Open begins in 100 days.  A record 41 players are expected for the optional practice round and Tom McCauley's golf clinic immediately afterwards.