November 26, 2007

PERU, IN — The Carl Spackler Open Championship plans to return this year with just more than a classic field of players. The tournament is expected to return with safe shuttle bus transportation, but this time included in the $359 tournament fee.

The shuttle will be available for a maximum of 20 hours during Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights. The bus will transport the tournament field to/from the hotel and Homer's Sports Bar.

"We continue to be surprised with the opportunities in Peru, IN," says Chairman of the Captains Club, Greg Long. "Participants can expect complimentary service, but will be asked to tip the driver based on service."

The shuttle bus was acquired for 29 cents per participant per ride and inserted into the tournament fee. "29 cents! Are you kidding?" asked Scott Miller of Parkersburg, WV. Rick Dosky answered, "Nope." Miller stood up and replied, "What did we pay in Raleigh and Pottsville?" Dosky answered, "I am pretty sure Pottsville was almost four times more. About $1.15 per ride. Raleigh was $5.50 per ride. The numbers do appear sometimes to look like pennies until you multiply those numbers by 68 golfers and then by 6 rides over four days."

Greg Long jumped in. "The vendors continued to surprise us daily during the budgeting season," said Long. "The bar owner in Peru is still trying to get the hotel to pay for half of the shuttle bill, which would drop the cost to 15 cents per ride. He thinks it shouldn't even be an option for them."

Rick Dosky said, "The size of Peru is somewhat a concern of Captains Club. It was a choice made based on vendor attitude and overall value. We are expecting to save $4,437 at the golf course and $1,088 at the hotel. The bus savings compared to Raleigh is another $1,000. That is already $95 per participant in savings before we consume record-low priced beer, food, and entertainment. We are expecting Peru to generate a savings of $120 per participant."

The shuttle bus is also being worked out for trips to/from the golf course on Friday. The 22-seat bus would make two or three trips from the hotel and golf course over a projected 30 to 45 minutes depending on requests.

"Friday seems to traditionally be the drinking day at the golf course," says Greg Long. "The Captains Club is trying to lock in the bus to/from the golf course on Friday, but not running the bus Friday night."

The scramble is projected to be completed at 9:00PM EST with transportation, showers, and dinner lasting until 10:30PM. The very long day will conclude in the activity room at the hotel with general socializing, poker, and card games.

The 2008 Carl Spackler Open Championship begins on June 4 with the annual practice round. Complimentary happy hours will be available at Homer's Sports Bar dependent on the shuttle service. There are 13 participants signed to play golf in Peru, IN.