June 29, 2008

NEW ALBANY, OH — The best amateur players in the world will wait until October before the tournament dates are announced for the 2009 Carl Spackler Open Championship. With a swagger to his step and new wedding ring, Captains Club member Brian Long reaffirmed the dates while playing golf in his under-shirt.

"The dates of our great event are unknown at this time," said Long in the blistering heat. "The 2009 event date is June 3-6 or June 10-13."

Long added, "We have been investigating a return to Mountain Valley in June 2010, however the 2009 calendar has provided a unique opportunity."

The 2005 Carl Spackler Open Championship was held at Mountain Valley in Barnesville, PA. It was held the same traditional week as the NASCAR Pocono Race, which left all quality hotels booked solid.

The tournament hosted the players from the River Inn 35 to 40 minutes southeast between Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville, PA. The Inn provided the tournament field a bed and long lasting memories.

The River Inn was purchased by the Days Inn last summer. There has been renovations, however location and number of rooms remains a problem. Quality remains questionable.

The city of Hazleton is 15 just minutes north from Mountain Valley and provides plenty of quality lodging and entertainment. Long added, "We are not going to back to Pottsville for lodging reasons and Hazleton appears very strong on paper."

The Carl Spackler Open Championship practice round has traditionally been held nine days after Memorial Day and the Spackler's final round has been traditionally held eight days prior to Father's Day.

The upcoming 2009 calendar is very unique. Memorial Day Weekend will not be the last weekend in the May 2009. This places three full weekends between Memorial Day Weekend and Father's Day Weekend for the first time in 12 years. The Carl Spackler Open must select nine days after Memorial Day or eight days before Father's Day.

The 2009 calendar has shifted the NASCAR schedule and specifically the Pocono Race to June 3-7. This shift opens the door to Mountain Valley for June 10-13. The 2008 Open was held in its traditional June 4-7 slot.

"We are investigating the opportunity to return to Mountain Valley four years earlier than expected," said Long. "We have a chance to avoid the 2009 NASCAR Pocono 500. We will be talking with vendors in Hazleton, PA this July and making a decision based on those agreements."

The event could also be held June 3-6 or June 10-13 at Links at Hiawatha Landing in Apalachin, NY depending on availability. The tournament is expected to be held June 10-13 if at Conklin Players Club where availability exists.

The Carl Spackler Open is expected to be hosted in southern New York and Virginia prior to 2012. A New York venue selection for June 2009 would almost eliminate Mountain Valley for many years and pull Virginia forward to June 2010.