January 28, 2008

PERU, IN — Matt Pritchard and Jason Watson both signed to play in the 2008 Carl Spackler Open Championship in late-December. They sign as the 26th and 27th participants with Watson adding the state of Texas to the tournament field.

Pritchard, who narrowly missed the 2004 Al Czverik and Carl Spackler Outfit, returns for his 5th major championship. "Glad to be back," says Matt Pritchard. "There is no way that I planned to miss this event."

Matt Pritchard, who has been mocked regarding his length off the tee in past seasons, has been working out in the weight room and added 20 yards to his driver. Pritchard enters his first major as a married man.

"Once again, I am looking forward to the event as it's my yearly 'my time' week," said Pritchard. "I just hope I can match (or of course beat) last years results of tied for 10th position. I am also hoping to avoid what has apparently been my achilles heel - too much booze! This problem (the verdict is still out if it's a Spackler thing or an actual year long issue) seems to take a toll on my well being and of course, more importantly, my golf game."

Pritchard added, "Lastly, I want to make sure that the sandbagging hackers who shoot 15+ strokes better than their average on these 3 days of drinking and excess of everything they should not be doing are dealt with. You know who you are Dosky and Flannagan!"

Jason Watson, winner of the 2006 Virtual Tournament, has a lot to prove in June. He signs as the first player to represent the state of Texas. Watson opened the Raleigh tournament with just 21 points. He moved a little on "moving day" with 35 points. His final round 51 was the monster round he needed to repeat.

"I am pleased to announce my commitment to attend my 8th Carl Spackler Open this coming summer in Peru, Indiana," said Watson in a written statement. "I can only hope that this year's trip brings as much excitement and fun as the past 7 years have. From the fully packed station wagon in Myrtle Beach to constantly 'rebooting' the Player Transportation Vehicle in Williamsburg to the rain and jaeger bombs in Ashtabula. And let's not forget the Madness on the Mountain and the miss heard around the world in Pottsville or the Party Bus in Clayton, NC."

Watson has improved quite a bit since the summer. He dropped his 27.5 stroke handicap to 9.4 strokes in what many members call, "horse crap". Watson presently boasts the Webb Award as the best player in Spackler History and the winner of the 2006 Virtual Tournament.

"After a very disappointing 61st place finish last year, I am looking forward to a much better showing this summer in Indiana," said Watson.  "More importantly, I am looking forward to once and for all replacing Trent Cooper as the best dressed golfer in Spackler history."

The 2008 Carl Spackler Open Championship begins in 128 days. The Best Western Circus City will host 57 participants throughout the 54-hole tournament.