May 29, 2008

BINGHAMTON, NY — The 2008 Carl Spackler Open Championship is days away with the Spackler business office looking beyond to the 2009 Major Championship. So what's next for the 8-year old event?

The Captains Club announced today that Conklin Players Club, which was not selected for the 2008 Open, has been moved back onto a very short 2009 Carl Spackler Open venue list. The 4 1/2 star course is located just 4 miles north of the Pennsylvania border and 3 hours north of Mountain Valley. The facility is considered a very strong contender for the 9th major championship.

"Both Peru and Binghamton are solid venue opportunities," said Jason Watson, Vice President of Awards. "Due to Captains Club scheduling conflicts last summer and solid opportunities in Indiana, we have decided to select Rock Hollow in 2008 and push Binghamton back to June 2009 or 2010."

Conklin Players Club is a mountain course playing up, down and around steep hills and features impeccable conditioning. Perfectly manicured verdant fairways tumble up, down and around the mountains.

Besides being gorgeous, Conklin is short and wide, so experts and amateurs alike can have a career day. Conklin showcases a little of everything that makes up a good golf course design and an enjoyable course for all levels of player - some water, some sand, holes that are easily negotiable in length and pristine conditioning. More a shotmaker’s course than a power layout, players will find they need the driver sparingly and strategically all day.

The incredible back nine begins with the course’s signature hole, a short par three played to an enormous island green with a backdrop of a flower bed trimmed and landscaped to replicate the course logo.  

"Tree lined with a some water hazards, but wide fairways and playable rough," says Chairman Greg Long. "Well placed shots can really shave some strokes off your score. A good short game will also keep your scores low. The long hitter will love the front nine. The accurate hitters will love the back nine. The hackers will love the views."

The upstairs clubhouse restaurant provides seats for golfers to watch play on three different holes, including signature hole, a par 3 across water to an island green.

Conklin Players Club is located 5 miles southeast from downtown Binghamton, NY. "We have never seen a better venue on paper," says Long regarding Binghamton and the Conklin Players Club. "We plan to physically investigate the experience soon including the 'party on the patio' at the Holiday Inn. The minor league Mets baseball stadium and college bar entertainment adds to a great Spackler setup."

The 2008 Carl Spackler Open Championship moves forward with Peru, IN and Rock Hollow Golf Club. The tournament field of 72 participants are scheduled to arrive on Wednesday.