May 12, 2009

AMHERST, VA — The 2009 Skills Challenge Contest returns for its 6th straight year with a traditional flavor. The contest will be held on Saturday after Round 3 inside the practice facility.

"Poplar Grove Golf Club designed their practice facility with a plush practice green," says Chairman Greg Long. "We will be returning the Skills Challenge back to putting and short chipping."

The Skills Challenge Contest is a 88-golfer mini-tournament using rounds based on short game skills. The opening round will determine who can 1 or 2 putt from 40 feet in less than 25 seconds. There will be two lines this year with two similar putts to shorten the time needed with 88 golfers.

Although surprising, the contest is expected to eliminate more than 60 percent of the tournament field. Guys who can handle the task will be invited off the practice green for round 2.

"The contest has been won year after year by our most skilled golfers," says Tom McCauley. "We are looking for our shocker this year."

The second round will include two short 10 yard chips onto the green and inside a hole radius of 10 feet. This is expected to whittle the remaining 40 percent of the remaining participants to just under 10 participants. These remaining participants will be invited to Round 3.

The third round of the 2008 Skills Challenge Contest will move back to the green for 6 foot putting to declare the winner.

Mike Pugh will not be returning as the reigning 2008 Skills Challenge Champion with trophy in arm. Mike won the award in Indiana after 5 rounds. Past winners include Jason Ridgeway (2007), Jeff Miller (2006), Pat Boland (2005), and Greg Garrett (2004).

The contest is expected to take 60 minutes.

The 2009 Carl Spackler Open Championship will be played in Amherst, VA. The Quality Inn will host the tournament field for 4 days and 4 nights. It is rumored to serve belgium waffles in the morning, provide everyone queen size beds, outdoor swimming pool, and meeting room.