March 17, 2006

CLAYTON, NC — Basic in design and gaudy gold in color, the Golden Jacket still has a cachet all its own. Though better suited a night on the beach than the fashion runways, few sport coats are more coveted than the Golden Jacket. Only registered players of the Carl Spackler Open Championship have a chance to wear it.

As the 6th Carl Spackler Open golf tournament tees off in June, we take a look at "the jolly Golden Jacket" and the mystique surrounding it. "It's a really big deal because of the tradition and prestige associated with owning it for a full year," says Jamie Myers, local golfer and CEO of the Captains Club. "It's the symbolism surrounding it that makes it so special," says Myers, who golfs at least once a week, weather permiting.

"From a fashion standpoint, I don't think anyone would reach for it based solely on color or style," he says. "The gold looks a little off to me. It might be difficult to match a tie to it." Rookie Dave Nickles, says while there's some debate about which tournament is considered toughest to win, there's no disputing which jacket most golfers would love to own. Everybody wants the gold one," says Nickles of Virginia Beach. "But if I had one, I wouldn't wear it just any place. People who aren't in golf circles wouldn't know what it meant. They'd just think I was some crazy guy in a flashy gold jacket."

What's flashy to some, however, is a mark of flair to others. That three-button, single-breasted, center vent jacket has received kudos from the most unlikely source.

The first Golden Jacket was awarded to Carl Spackler Champion in 2001. Greg Long put that one on at tournament's end and Mike Trojanowski was awarded the prestigous honor in 2002. Tom Fowble followed in 2003 when he tamed Thunder Hill. Steve Hoden finished the back nine of Tanglewood Park with 2 birdies and his jacket in 2004. Last year, Rick Dosky roared out of the gate and stamp his name into history at Mountain Valley.

Traditionally, the champion takes his jacket home with him for one year, then returns it to the following tournament to be given to the next winner.

CFO Rick Dosky declined to reveal how much it costs to make the Golden Jacket. "That's something you can't really put a price tag on anyway," he says. "It's not about how cheaply or expensively it's made, but what it stands for to the person wearing it."

As the Carl Spackler Open is just 82 days away, golfers get ready for the spring golf season and a chance to fine tune their games. "My putting and short iron play is not yet ready for the Open, but make no mistake about it; I will be ready in June", said 2001 Winner, Slick.