July 28, 2008

CONKLIN, NY — Mountain Valley, Neuse, Grande, and Rock Hollow Golf Club each rank within the Top 200 courses nationwide by Readers of Golf Digest. Conklin Players Club is another one of those wonderful public golf courses inside North America earning a 4 1/2 star rating from Readers of Golf Digest 2008.

Conklin Players Club was added to the 2009-2010 Carl Spackler Open venue list last year. The 4 1/2 star course is located just 10 miles north of the Pennsylvania border and 2 hours north of Mountain Valley.

"Conklin Players Club has been ranked very high for years," says Greg Long, Chairman of the Captains Club. "It has once again been ranked 4 1/2 stars by Readers of Golf Digest. Our past four venues are the top 1.3 percent of North American golf courses. Probably the top 1/2 percent are under $60 on Saturday morning. Approximately the top 1/4 percent (42 courses) have been 4 1/2 stars for at least 10 years, which says a heck of lot about Conklin Players Club design, commitment to conditioning, and service."

First impressions are excellent due to prestine conditions while mother nature provides a boost with scenic views, especially from the course's high point at the 15th green and 16th tee. The design comes through with a course that looks tough and top flight, but does not often beat up the average player.

"Tree lined with a few water hazards, but wide fairways and playable rough," says Greg Long, Chairman of the Captains Club. "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 course combines the use of water, dramatic elevation changes and TLC to provide some fantastic holes and some awesome vistas to go along with it. The course plays up and down the side of a hill. That, in combination with a series of small ponds and a 10-acre lake make for some outstanding golf.

Long added, "Water, with the exception of par 3's at Hole 10 and Hole 13, are positioned the same way. It is in play on half the holes, but not all the hazards are a serious threat. Ponds are also responsible for two of the toughest par 4's."

A recent traveler to Conklin Players Club suggests, "It is an absolutely fantastic track that sits on the side of a mountain. This course is the most underrated place in New York State. The fairways and greens are absolutely perfect as they do a wonderful job manicuring the course. While I have definitely played harder courses, you will never play a more enjoyable one. The visuals are incredible and the course requires a "thinking man's" approach where you often have to put away your driver."

The upstairs 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 are very pleased with Binghamton and the Conklin Players Club so far," says Greg Long, Chairman of the Captains Club. "We need to physically investigate the experience, but like the initial rumors surrounding the area. The minor league Mets baseball stadium and downtown entertainment adds to a great Spackler setup."

The Captains Club continues to create a list of possible venues for 2009-2010 major championships. An announcement on 2009 venue is scheduled to be released in October 2008.