July 11, 2005

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.  This Arthur Hills designed masterpiece is located in southeastern Michigan and 15 minutes from the University of 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, the Toledo area, and southern Michigan on Saturday before heading to the golf facility.

"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.  Maybe a lost ball on the front will 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 Covered Bridge Golf Club in 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 Detroit Tiger, Toledo Mudhen baseball game picnic, Durty Bird bar, and Greek Town Casino.  "I can assure everyone," says Watson.  "The golf course, lodging, and entertainment are much different than in June 2005.  I am very excited about The Legacy."

A fourth course has been added to the venue list from the state of Michigan.  The Grande Golf Club in Jackson, Michigan was added on Saturday.  The 4 1/2 star venue will be researched over the next few weeks and visited shortly after.  Buffalo, NY will be scouted starting Saturday morning with visits to Arrowhead Golf Club and Links of Ivy Ridge planned.

The 2006 Carl Spackler Open begins on June 7, 2006.  Invitations are scheduled for November 15, 2005.