May 4, 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.

Greg Garrett continued through the tournament course with the fourth hole, "Reflection", which is a 186-yard Par 3. "The best par 3," says Garrett. "The reflection of trees in the pond is beautiful."

Reflection is maybe the hardest hole at Poplar Grove for hackers. It requires a solid 170 yards to cross the pond if aiming at the flagstick. The tournament could see 80 to 100 penalty strokes at the 4th hole. Sam Snead added fairway to the right side (similar to Grande's 12th hole) as a bailout area.

The green is oval shaped pointing 4:50 on a clock. The green is 33 yards or 99 feet deep. The back greenside bunker is trouble.

"Rotate the green 90 degrees, lower the tee, and cut lots of trees down and this one resembles the signature hole at Jack Nicklaus' Muirfield Village," says Greg Long.

There are two sand traps; both greenside; front left and back left.

"The fourth hole, Reflection, is a great par 3," says Kevin Long, Jr.. "The entire hole including pond is locked inside the stands of hardwoods. Another secluded, quiet, and beautiful hole."

SCORE SUMMARY: Slick played the 4th hole +1 through two days. Double G played +1 through two days. Winger played even through one day. The USGA handicap suggests the 8th easiest hole, however the Captains Club suggests the 3rd easiest hole with 5 rounds +0.4 strokes over par.

The 2009 Carl Spackler Open Championship will begin its annual practice round on Wednesday, June 10. There are 34 participants scheduled to arrive to Lynchburg, VA on Tuesday, June 9.