August 9, 2007

BARNESVILLE, PA — Walt Tobash, the PGA Professional from Mountain Valley, was contacted last week for the second time by the Captains Club for a courtesy call. It is the second call by the vendor relations department since the 2005 Carl Spackler Open. The telephone call, prompted by Greg Long, was to see if Tobash was still alive and see how Mountain Valley and surrounding area were doing overall.

Walt Tobash was the general manager and PGA Professional at Mountain Valley. He is a Spackler legend to many Spackler members for the Tournament Announcement Tent on the first tee each morning and complimentary keg on the golf cart.

"I hear about Mountain Valley all the time from our members," said Long of the unique 2005 venue location. "This time prompted a phone call. Tobash had indicated a new 'Hemlock' nine and lodge being put into the exisiting facility back in 2005. I wanted to see about progress and just check-in."

Long quickly found out that Tobash is alive and continues to represent Mountain Valley, but recently underwent back surgery. "I have not played golf in about a year," said Tobash during a morning conversation. "I am getting better and hope to swing a club next year."

The conversation moved towards the new Hemlock nine. Mountain Valley does expect a new Oak nine to be ready this spring. The new nine renovation will pull apart the existing Oak holes starting after Hole 2, which is the severe downhill dogleg right par 4. Golfers will play the first two holes of Oak, then play 4 new holes set back behind Oak 3 in the dense forest. Oak 3, 4, and 5 will become Oak 7, 8, and 9.

The existing Oak 6, 7, 8, and 9 holes will become Hemlock 1, 7, 8, and 9 holes. "We are pretty excited about the change," said Tobash. "The lodge permits are almost done. I just hope that I can see them before I die."

The conversation moved from Hemlock to course conditions. "The conditions are as good as can be expected with the lack of rain here up on the Mountain," said Tobash. "The rough is the hardest hit. A drought is a big revenue generator, but the constant play is not giving the course any days to recover."

Walt moved into a Pottsville update, which included the legendary River Inn. "The River Inn was purchased by Days Inn a couple of weeks ago," said an excited Tobash. "They have plans to gut the place and provide a great property. Everything else is the same old Pottsville, PA."

Long confirmed the rumor as fact with a phone call. The large take over and renovation project is expected to be complete by summer of 2008.

Tobash finished the phone call with his traditional sales pitch. "Mr. Long. You are the man. You have a lifetime membership to Mountain Valley and stop in anytime. I look at my signed golf shirt in my den everyday and think of you guys. We would love to host another Carl Spackler Open. If you need any leverage locally, please let me know."

The 2008 Carl Spackler Open Championship begins on June 5 in an undisclosed location. The legendary Mountain Valley and lodging will continue to be monitored each year along with Nascar scheduling. The 4 1/2 star mountain course is expected to become the first venue in Spackler history to host two Carl Spackler Open Championships.