May 23, 2008

PERU, IN — The 2008 Skills Challenge Contest returns for its 5th straight year with a traditional flavor. The contest will be held on Thursday after Round 1 inside the practice facility.

"Rock Hollow Golf Club designed their practice facility with a plush practice green," says Chairman Greg Long. "We will be returning the Skills Challenge back to putting and short chipping."

The Skills Challenge Contest is a 72-golfer mini-tournament using rounds based on short game skills. The opening round will determine who can 1 or 2 putt from 40 feet in less than 25 seconds. Although surprising, the contest is expected to eliminate more than 50 percent of the tournament field. Guys who can handle the task will be invited off the practice green for round 2.

The second round will include two short 10 yard chips onto the green and inside a hole radius of 10 feet. This is expected to whittle the remaining 50 percent of the remaining participants to just under 5 participants. Remaining participants that can chip inside 10 feet will be invited to Round 3.

The third round of the 2008 Skills Challenge Contest will move back to the green for 6 foot putting to declare the winner.

"The greenside bunker in Michigan eliminated 80 percent of our participants before Round 2 started," says Jason Ridgeway. "Giving everyone two chances was like taking candy from a baby. This year should be different."

Jason Ridgeway returns as the 2008 Skills Challenge Champion with trophy in arm. Jason won the award in Michigan after a playoff against Bob Morris and John McAninch.

The contest is expected to take 60 minutes.

The 2008 Carl Spackler Open Championship will be played in Peru, IN. The Best Western Circus City will host the tournament field for 4 days and 4 nights. It is rumored to serve free omelets in the morning, provide everyone queen size beds, indoor swimming pool, and meeting room.