May 29, 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 15th hole, "Hidden Creek", which is a 419-yard downhill Par 4. "Another strong hole with plenty of asthetics," said Kevin Long, Jr.. "The highest point at Poplar Grove has a beautiful view of multiple holes."

The straight hole drops from the tee to a hidden creek 300 yards off the tee. The fairway ends at the skinny water hazard, but restarts behind it and moves upward to an elevated green. "The fairway drops gradually from tee of creek," says Greg Garrett. "Golfers who can hit a driver 280 yards will push their luck here. Everyone else will be in great shape with driver."

The view from the tee also includes forest lining the right fairway and fairway bunkering. There are two fairway bunkers on the right. Players need just 170 yards to fly the pair. Another fairway bunker, on the left, requires 235 downhill yards to carry it.

There are two hidden creeks; one in the woods on the right and the other crossing the fairway at the bottom of the hill.

"Hit the driver," says Greg Long. "You want between 235 and 250 yards before your first bounce. The hole resembles the 12th at the Neuse in its length, gradual drop to the bottom of a valley, elevated green, and greenside bunkering, but this year's hole has a creek."

The green is a fat oval pointing similar to 11:25 on a clock. The green is 35 yards or 105 feet deep. There are two left greenside bunkers grabbing shots hit short left of the green. There are two levels with the backside higher than the front.

"Left of the green is trouble," says Kevin Long, Jr.. "Left of the left greenside bunkers leaves players with chips from thick rough and 8 feet below the green."

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

"The 15th hole, Hidden Creek, could be the signature hole for some guys," says Greg Garrett. "A walk down the hill is recommended and very enjoyable."

SCORE SUMMARY: Slick played the 15th hole +3 through two days. Double G played +1 through two days. Kevin played +1 through one day. The USGA handicap suggests the 6th hardest hole. The Captains Club also suggests the 6th hardest hole with 5 rounds +1.0 strokes over par.

"The last four holes caused lots of frustration with all of us," says Greg Long. "Hidden Creek in particular was the hardest hole for me at Poplar Grove."

The 2009 Carl Spackler Open Championship has signed 88 participants for its 9th major event. A coach bus is expected to transport 57 participants to/from Poplar Grove each day of tournament play. There will be complimentary service to/from the baseball stadium on Thursday night.