January 30, 2007

JACKSON, MI — The Grande Golf Club, ranked 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest, is the golf facility hosting the Carl Spackler Open Championship. The design provides the June event with very special character including deceptively obese fairways.

"We are very happy with our tournament course and unique opportunities off the tee," said Chairman of the Captains Club, Greg Long. "The Captains Club has indeed chosen a super layout promoting a grip it and rip it game plan for everyone."

The obese fairways has done everything but guarantee the field of players will hit a record number of approach shots from the short grass.

"I fully expect an increased fun factor," said Long regarding the unique fairways. "Our players will most likely underrate the fairway obesity, however the increased approach shots from the short grass is expected to be the key reason for fun to swell."

The course character deceptively and quietly provides a safe haven for pronounced banana slices by Jay Glover and hooks by Jon Munksgard.

The tournament will be played on the most expansive fairways of any past venue (62 acres); most likely the widest ever seen for a substantial portion of the field. A handful of fairways are wider than 100 yards and some holes bulge with fairway behind and adjacent to the green.

"You can afford to spray the ball off the tee a bit," says 2004 Horses Ass, Chad Long. "But your iron-game and putter better be working, because the greens are also huge."

Chad Long played the course in July when he shot 32-over par with 5 bunker shots on Hole 11 and 6 hacks into the swamp on Hole 17.

"Most of the wide fairways are tree-lined with indigenous hardwoods," said Long. These hardwoods are outside the huge landing areas, about twice the size of many courses. Three holes on the back nine have split fairways offering risk-and-reward decisions."

The Carl Spackler Open Championship begins with an optional practice round on June 6. Tuesday night lodging is also available at a record-low rate of $28.00, which includes tax. The Option Selector will be available shortly with selections beginning on March 8.