October 23, 2006

WESTERVILLE, OH — The #1 amateur golf tournament, the Carl Spackler Open, announced on Sunday a drop in overall travel by 18 percent. The choice venue specifically ensures travel time of participants in Ohio and western Pennsylvania are cut in half or more.

"This is absolutely great news," said member Brian Long. "Driving is all part of a golf trip, but this 7 hour trip will be welcome break from 15 hours for the past 3 years."

The 18 percent drop was determined based on mileage to/from Michigan for our 31 senior members attending at least 3 years. It was compared to Raleigh when senior members traveled an average of 15.6 hours.

The Michigan venue drops the seven-year average mileage by 4 percent.

The selected lodging is 60 minutes from Detroit Wayne International Airport (DTW) and 70 minutes from the Toledo Express Airport.  Virginia Beach to Brooklyn by vehicle is 12 hours.  Warren to Brooklyn is 6 hours.  Columbus to Brooklyn is 3½ hours.  Grande Golf Club is 12-mile (16-minute) high-speed drive from Super 8.

"Vehicles traveling through Toledo can expect an extra 18 minutes if they stop at Detroit Wayne International Airport," said Brian Long. "The drive to both the hotel or golf course is 60 minutes from the airport."

Flights to Detroit using Northwest Airlines are direct flights lasting a maximum of 2 hours from New York, Baltimore, Washington, Richmond, Raleigh, Atlanta and Norfolk. "Round trip fares were as low as $80 from Dulles," said Brian Long. "At least they were when I looked in September."

Travel time is expected to drop again in 2008 and 2009 with venue selections in Kentucky, New York, Maryland or West Virginia.

Captains Club member Mike Trojanowski presently has the most mileage in Spackler history averaging 17.2 hours per year by car. Don Creighton's mileage is a 30 minutes further, but has flown 4 of 6 years. Jim Campbell of Pennsylvania and Pat Boland of Georgia both average 15.6 hours over a 3-year period. Jason Watson is expected to catch everyone as a new Texas resident.

The 2007 Carl Spackler Open Championship begins its official registration on November 15. Checks can be mailed to Rick Dosky whenever committed golfers are ready. The initial non-refundable deposit is $120.