April 13, 2006

CLAYTON, NC — The 2004 Skills Challenge started with Greg Garrett winning the trophy when nobody in the 3rd round could chip very well. The 2005 Challenge left Pat Boland holding the trophy after a playoff.

The 2006 Skills Challenge should be very exciting, but has received an extreme makeover. The contest will center on golf skills and consistency.

The object is to get into the Skills Challenge and stay in the Skills Challenge.

Beginning with Round 1, there will be two holes designated for closest to the pin, two holes for longest drive, and one hole for longest putt.

Each member of the field requires 5 skills to be added to the Skills Challenge.

Golfers who hit the fairway (on either longest drive holes) at any length obtain a skill. Golfers who lose their ball, including in a hazard, lose a skill.

Golfers who hit the green (on either closest to the pin holes) obtain a skill. Golfers who lose their ball, including in a hazard, lose a skill.

Golfers who 1 or 2-putt (on the longest putt hole) will remain obtain a skill. Golfers who 3-putt will lose a skill.

The field of players will return in Round 2 under the same rules. The contestants obtaining 5 skills after Round 2 will be invited to the Final Skills Challenge on Saturday morning.

The final Skills Challenge will consist of 2 chip shots of approximately 30 yards. The best of the two shots will be eliminated. The closest of the remaining balls to the pin will win the 2006 Skills Challenge.

"We like the new format," says Tom McCauley. "It eliminates the time and the management of 64 golfers to 6-8 golfers. It is everyone's job to track their progress."

The 2006 Carl Spackler Open Championship starts in 55 days.