February 5, 2009

AMHERST, VA — Poplar Grove Golf Club, the final design of golf legend Sam Snead, was chosen to host the 2009 Carl Spackler Open Championship. On behalf of the Captains Club, Greg Long, Greg Garrett, and Kevin Long, continued to provide the detail surrounding the tournament course.

Kevin Long, Jr. continued through the tournament course with the 12th hole, "Summer's Crossing", which is a visually stunning 424-yard Par 4. "Possibly the most beautiful hole in our 9-year history," said Kevin Long, Jr..

The straight hole drops from the tee to Summer's Crossing. The fairway ends at the water, but moves slightly upward to an elevated green. "The fairway drops rapidly by 7 feet at 160 yards," says Greg Garrett. "Golfers who hit any drives near the 150-yard stick will never find their ball."

The view from the tee also includes fairway bunkering. The first bunker is a left fairway bunker 183 yards off the tee. Another starts at 223 yards and resides right of the fairway.

"Hit the 210-yard club again," says Greg Long. "Aim over the left fairway bunker and drop a long-iron just beyond it. Garrett and I were in the water three times through four rounds. We kept hitting shorter shots, but the ball was always in the water. Driver is zero points for many participants."

"The backdrop from 250 yards is incredible," says Greg Garrett. "Absolutely gorgeous hole."

The green is an oval pointing similar to 2:40 on a clock. The green is 39 yards or 117 feet deep. There are two left greenside bunkers grabbing shots hit through the skinny green. There is a single greenside bunker on the right or front depending on the approach shot angle.

"The right greenside bunker is the deepest bunker at Poplar Grove," says Greg Long. "From a left side pin placement, you will not see a golfer playing out of it. Many lies are 6 to 7 feet below the fringe."

There are five sand traps; two left greenside bunkers, one right greenside bunker, one left fairway, and one right fairway.

"The 12th hole, Summer's Crossing, could be the signature hole for many guys," says Greg Garrett. "The covered bridge is a wonderful touch to a another great hole."

SCORE SUMMARY: Slick played the 12th hole +2 through two days. Double G played +2 through two days. Kevin played +1 through one day. The USGA handicap suggests the 4th hardest hole, however the Captains Club suggests the 6th easiest hole with 5 rounds +1.0 strokes over par.

"This hole is the only hole at Poplar Grove that nobody parred," says Greg Garrett. "We had 5 bogeys through 5 rounds. Strong winds along with the water are killers."

The 2009 Carl Spackler Open Championship has signed 74 participants for its 9th major event. There is a baseball game scheduled for June 10 at 7:30PM. Carl Spackler is expected to through out the first pitch.