July 20, 2006

BALTIMORE, MD — With invitations scheduled to be available in 115 days, the Captains Club is expecting another record number of participants for the 2007 Carl Spackler Open Championship.

"There are never guarantees, but we are expecting about 10-20% growth for 2007," says Rick Dosky, Chief Financial Officer. "We are expecting a minimum of 54 players and most likely 64 returning players in the field before topping off with several new rookies."

The tournament started in 2001 with 9 players. It doubled in 2002 with 18 players and nearly doubled again in 2003 with 32 players before settling in Winston-Salem with 48 players. Another large bubble of golfers ensured steady growth to 68 players in Pottsville. Last June was the first drop in the total field with just 63 inspired golfers.

"There are so many guys out there that just do not understand," says Dosky. "This tournament is only a few years from 100 players. We have players from 24 years of age to 75 years young and handicaps of 1 to 45."

The entry to the last Carl Spackler Open was $349 per player. It included nearly everything except a few meals. The 2007 tournament is expected to decrease.

The projected growth is expected to be many returning members that skipped the 2006 Carl Spackler Open Championship. Although Mountain Valley appeared to be a great venue by many golfers, the tournament lost 17 members. The 13 new rookies in Clayton, NC were not enough to establish a field of 68 golfers.

"I attribute the growth to an open Captains Club", says Mike Trojanowski. "The entire tournament is setup for an outstanding 24-hour, 4-day, non-stop, party with a national group of friends. I really enjoy the wide variety of guys involved and the lack of golf skill required in the Spackler."

The tournament has tranditionally lost 10 members per year due to lack of interest or numerous excuses. The new rookies usually double that number as the tournament continues to grow. With a record 17 existing members deciding to skip the 2006 tournament, the Club fully expects a jump in attendance for 2007.

The 2007 Carl Spackler Open is scheduled for June 6. The tournament venue has not yet been decided. The Legacy and Grande in Michigan are on the list with Old Silo near Lexington, KY.