September 4, 2003

HERNDON, VA — Andy Cohen missed the first three Carl Spackler events -- a constant since he turned amateur 5 years ago -- and hasn't played a competitive round of golf since early June 2001. He returned Sunday at Bella Vista in Pennsylvania, ready to test his game that gave him fits for much of the last few years.

Andy has plenty of time to catch up to the rest of the Carl Spackler Tour, but he's never been as far behind as he is now.  How far behind is Cohen?  It really depends on your perspective.

Although the tour season is into its last leg, Cohen, in essence, has missed almost two years. So Cohen, who played just 5 rounds of golf since registration has a way to go with plenty of time to make it up.

Nonetheless, you get the feeling catching up may be a tough task for Cohen, given the attitude of some of the top players. "Andy had a great run in 2001 and everything comes to some sort of a stop sooner or later", said Tom Fowble, who won the 2003 Carl Spackler Open and is in third place within the On Tour Championship. "I think it all depends on how determined Andy really is. We can't just sit back and just let everybody kind of run over you, you know. If I'm not winning, I'm not happy."

Kevin Long, Jr. finished with his two cents.  "There are only a few guarantees in life like the Raiders.  Andy's game is no guarantee, but I would be hard-pressed to ever bet against him."