July 12, 2007

MOUNT STERLING, KY — Pat Boland will join Chris Philipsen, Greg Long, and Greg Garrett in eastern Kentucky this weekend for 54 holes. Boland will make the trip east from St. Louis while all eyes will be focused on Old Silo as the front runner to host the 2008 Carl Spackler Open Championship.

The group plans to make a stronger case for Old Silo after meeting with general managers of hotels, Old Silo, and nightly entertainment.

"I am looking forward to a great weekend of golf," says Pat Boland. "Slick tells me that we should prepare for many more swings."

The foursome will enjoy absolutely gorgeous weather during their golf weekend, which is expected to be sunshine, low humidity with temperatures topping out at 82 degrees.

"The early practice round is very exciting," says Chris Philipsen of Old Silo. "It should be different heading into a major championship with onsite experience."

Old Silo Golf Club is located in Mount Sterling, KY and recently rewarded #1 in the state of Kentucky by Golf Digest in their May 2007 issue. The very reasonable greens fees allowed Golf Magazine to label them the 26th Best Bargain in America in January 2007.

"The course is about as good as it gets for the public," says Greg Long, Chairman of the Captains Club. "It is as good as the Grande, but tougher physically on the body."

Boland and company plan to move one hour east after their Old Silo visit to Grayson Lake State Park. The #2 golf course in the state of Kentucky, Hidden Cove, is on schedule for Sunday morning. "We are not fooling around this weekend," said Greg Garrett. "We are playing some great golf for pennies on the dollar."

Hidden Cove at Grayson Lake was ranked #2 in the state by Golf Digest in May 2007. "This course has private club conditions," says Philipsen of Hidden Cove. "We played in heavy rain last summer and considered the conditions and layout incredible. The greens rolled even more true and faster than the Grande in heavy rain. We are stealing from the Kentucky governament at $34.75 with cart. This course would be $75 to $80 if managed for profit."

Boland and company will move 45 minutes east after their morning round at Grayson Lake when they finish their adventure at the infamous Eagle Ridge at Yatesville State Park. The golf course was ranked the 5th Best New Course in America by Golf Digest back in 2005.

"I have played Mountain Valley, Neuse, and the Grande," says Chris Philipsen. "This course has the three best holes I have ever played anywhere with the 13th hole as unimaginable even with pictures. You cannot feel the elevation through pictures."

The USGA gives the front nine of Yatesville a 153 Slope Rating out of a possible 155 from just 3,366 yards. The course is not very long, but it is shot placement everywhere and then some.

"We are playing the toughest front nine ever conceived," says Greg Long. "It makes Thunder Hill look playable. The Slope Rating from just 3,000 yards is 148. The back nine lets up a little, but some of the greens on the back have undulations in the area of 4 feet high."

Philipsen and Garrett are reportedly taking a range basket of balls with them for the round.

The round at Eagle Ridge is considered the best value ever by Long. "We are talking $19.75 with cart for upscale incredible design with Grande-like conditioning.

Pat Boland is relishing in the weather and price. "It would be silly to not realize the value in eastern Kentucky. We are playing three upscale courses for $97 total with 82 degree temperatures. Slick tells me all three courses are as good as the Grande for total experience. We shall see."

Greg Long leads the foursome in the Virtual Tournament. He holds 4th position and lost of course bonus points coming this weekend.

In other news, Jason Watson played Cowboys Golf Club yesterday scoring a whopping 70 points. The 6-over par round from 6,500 yards included three 3 putts. "Sounds like someone figured something out," said Pat Boland of Watson's career low. "I am going to pretend that I did not see that card online. It will help him save face at Golfapalooza."

The 2007 Virtual Tournament Leaderboard has 51 golfers with Jason Ridgeway in the lead with 73.3 points per round. Ridgeway opened his lead after shooting 5-under par on the front nine at Bucks Ridge this week. The 7 birdie round was worth a staggering 85 points.