March 19, 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 with the 18th hole, "Poplar Grove", which is a 375-yard Par 4. "The 18th hole is the fourth hole that rises in elevation," says Garrett. "It is also the single dogleg left on the property. Poplar Grove generally plays into the sun, but the view from behind the green is always beautiful."

Participants will see a checkered fairway with a single Poplar tree on each side near the dogleg. The fairway drops mildly in elevation to the leg where the fairway turns left and then climbs sharply to the green. The four sand traps including the greenside bunkers can be seen from the tee box.

"Once again, hit the 210-yard club off the tee," says Greg Garrett. "Hitting the driver correctly is gravy, slicers need to 'Jay Glover it' around the left Poplar, or skin the tree with a power fade."

The left rough is somewhat a bailout with the exception of the ravine and very deep rough. The right fairway provides addition bailout.

"I had two approaches from the center of the fairway during my two rounds," says Greg Long. "Both were 105 yards and both shots were hit off an uphill grade. I do not anticipate talking to anyone who drove their ball into the right fairway bunker. I recommend that bunker and the tee box as your target line. A slight fade or draw of 10 or 20 feet is not jail."

The green cannot be seen from the tee or fairway, however players can see the flag. Participants can get a prefect look at the 18th green from the 1st tee box.

The green is pear shaped pointing similar to 2:40 on a clock with two ridges dividing the green into three areas. The green is 34 yards or 102 feet deep. There are left and right greenside bunkers. There is also a shortly cut collection area behind the green.

"The easiest finishing hole since Mountain Valley," says Kevin Long, Jr.. "It is not even close with our past 3 finishing holes. You just need to take a quick look at the green from the 1st tee and not do something stupid to par this one."

There are four sand traps; two front greenside and two fairway. The left fairway bunker requires 250 yards to reach it and 280 yards to carry it. Club up to the back of the green and take the greenside bunkers out of play.

"The 18th hole, Poplar Grove, is all about selecting the right club up the hill to a somewhat blind shot," says Kevin Long, Jr.. "The length of the hole is shorter than most, but the dogleg left goes against the average right-handed golfer."

SCORE SUMMARY: Slick played the 9th hole +3 through two days. Double G played +1 through two days. Winger played +1 through one day. The USGA handicap suggests the 10th easiest hole, however the Captains Club suggests the 6th hardest hole with 5 rounds +1.0 strokes over par.

"The Poplar trees make this hole quite beautiful," says Greg Long. "It will be one of best finishing holes ever to watch golfers from behind the green on the hillside."

The 2009 Carl Spackler Open Championship will begin its annual practice round on Wednesday, June 10. There are 80 participants expected for the 9th annual event with outstanding balances due in the mail on or before April 15.