August 20, 2007

POWELL, OH — The tournament venue is unknown. Regardless, invitations are scheduled to be available in mid-November and the Captains Club is expecting a record number of participants for the 2008 Carl Spackler Open Championship. Bill Bateson was made available on the behalf of the Captains Club to read a prepared statement.

"There are never guarantees, but we are expecting about 10 percent growth for 2008," says member Bill Bateson. "The tournament is expecting a minimum of 60 players and most likely 68-74 players in the field including the usual topping off of several new rookies."

The tournament history includes 9 players in 2001. It doubled in 2002 with 18 players and nearly doubled again in 2003 with 32 players before jumping to 48 players in Winston-Salem. Another large bubble of golfers ensured steady growth to 68 players in 2005.

The last 3 years has seen considerable participant turnover in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Virginia. The loss of 23 members has been replaced by members residing in Missouri(4), Ohio(5) and Michigan(5). Ohio has increased to 14 senior members and provided 21 participants in 2007.

"The six new registered rookies this summer has been a first for the tournament," said Bateson as he continued with the written statement. "The senior membership, which I call rock solid attendance, continues to grow rapidly. We have 40 rock solids. Add another 13 guys when you include online written commitments. That is 53 players and it is still August."

The entry to the last Carl Spackler Open was $348 per participant. It included nearly everything except a few beverages and a meal. "The 2008 tournament is expected to similar once again, but an actual tournament fee is unknown until November," said Bateson. "While inflation has risen 9.3 percent since Thunder Hill, the tournament fee has remained somewhat stationary. This demonstrates the power of participant volume and our willingness to transport ourselves to the best values in America."

The projected growth is expecting to return some members that skipped the 2007 Carl Spackler Open Championship. Scott Mealey, Joe Butkus, and Mike Herron have filed early written commitments with the business office to the major championship. Captains Club member Jay Dilks has also filed his written commitment.

Bateson was asked for his personal opinion on growth. He said, "I am always surprised by the low attendance. You would think a golf vacation for $350 would have golfers running to signup. I really enjoy seeing the different venues and tasting the local beers along the way. Maybe some Kentucky Ale and Wild Turkey this year."

The 2008 Carl Spackler Open is scheduled for June 5. The tournament venue has not yet been decided. The tournament is expected to be hosted in western or southern New York, central Indiana, or northeastern Kentucky.