July 30, 2007

CONKLIN, NY — Mountain Valley, The Neuse, and Grande Golf Club each rank within the Top 200 courses nationwide by Readers of Golf Digest. Conklin Players Club is another one of those wonderful public golf courses inside North America earning a 4 1/2 star rating from Readers of Golf Digest 2006-2007.

The Captains Club announced today that Conklin Players Club was added to the 2008-2009 Carl Spackler Open venue list. The 4 1/2 star course is located just 10 miles north of the Pennsylvania border and 3 hours north of Mountain Valley.

"Conklin Players Club has been stellar for years," says Greg Long, Chairman of the Captains Club. "There are 220 courses ranked 4 1/2 or better in a nation of 17,000 courses. Our past three venues are the top 1.3 percent of North American golf courses. Probably the top 1/2 percent are under $60 on Saturday morning. Approximately the top 1/4 percent (42 courses) have been 4 1/2 stars for at least 7 years, which says a heck of lot about Conklin Players Club design, commitment to conditioning, and service."

First impressions are excellent due to prestine conditions while mother nature provides a boost with scenic views, especially from the course's high point at the 15th green and 16th tee. The design comes through with a course that looks tough and top flight, but does not often beat up the average player.

"Tree lined with a few water hazards, but wide fairways and playable rough," says Greg Long, Chairman of the Captains Club. "Well placed shots can really shave some strokes off your score. A good short game will also keep your scores low. The long hitter will love the front nine. The accurate hitters will love the back nine. The hackers will love the views."

Long added, "Water, with the exception of par 3's at Hole 10 and Hole 13, are positioned the same way. It is in play on half the holes, but not all the hazards are a serious threat. Ponds are also responsible for two of the toughest par 4's."

A recent traveler to Conklin Players Club suggests, "It is an absolutely fantastic track that sits on the side of a mountain. This course is the most underrated place in New York State. The fairways and greens are absolutely perfect as they do a wonderful job manicuring the course. While I have definitely played harder courses, you will never play a more enjoyable one. The visuals are incredible and the course requires a "thinking man's" approach where you often have to put away your driver."

The upstairs restaurant provides seats for golfers to watch play on three different holes, including signature hole, a par 3 across water to an island green.

Conklin Players Club is located 5 miles southeast from downtown Binghamton, NY. "We are very pleased with Binghamton and the Conklin Players Club so far," says Greg Long, Chairman of the Captains Club. "We need to physically investigate the experience in late-August, but like the initial rumors surrounding the area. The minor league Mets baseball stadium, nearby casino, and downtown entertainment adds to a great Spackler setup."

The Captains Club continues to create a list of possible venues for 2008-2011 major championships. There are 36 players with written commitments. Conklin Players Club joins Diamond Hawk in Buffalo, NY and Old Silo in Mount Sterling, KY as possible sites to host the 2008 Carl Spackler Open Championship.