April 22, 2009

AMHERST, VA — The Captains Club held it's weekly press conference on Thursday and announced the prizes and awards scheduled for the 2009 Carl Spackler Open Championship. Jason Watson, Vice President of Awards, stepped up to the podium to deliver the prepared statement.

"First, I am glad to be attending yet another Spackler and looking forward to seeing everyone once again in Virginia."

Watson then turned to his written statement for guidence. "The Captains Club has full intentions of returning all awards and prizes with two exceptions.

The Closest to the Pin is being replaced by the minor league baseball game on Thursday. The Hillcat baseball game will consume excess time on Thursday with a Round 1 dual tee. We do plan to bring the group contest back in 2010.

The second change is the tournament purse, which will drop 18 percent from a 'free 2010 golf trip' to a '$300 credit towards the 2010 golf trip'. The winner will continue to receive a free gold baseball cap, Championship Trophy for a year, and logoed Golden Jacket for their closet as part of their tournament win.

The decision will help stroke handicap integrity and keep the tournament budget at $365 for each winner.

The Horses Ass Trophy, 4-Man Scramble, Golden Jacket, Carl Spackler Outfit, Al Czverick Outfit, 4-man Best Ball, Rookie of the Year, Kitchen Pass Award, Most Long Putts (Stroke), Least Long Putts (Dooty), Best Putter Ever (Golden Rod), Worst Putter Ever (Rusty Rod), Best Player Ever (Webb), Ms. Lacey Underall Sash, and Worst Player Ever (Crapper) will return."

[Watson took a deep breathe and a drink of water.]

"In addition to the Red Tee Lottery, the daily on-course contests will also return. These include closest to the pin, long drive, and longest putt at the 18th hole.

That's it. Are there any questions?"

A lone reporter immediately raised his hand and asked, "What do you guys value the most?" Watson repied, "As far as awards or prizes? Well, these are my comments and not necessarily the thoughts of the Captains Club. I really want the event to succeed and money will give it the respect it requires. Too much money can only make some guys greedy, so we keep the purse in check. The Horses Ass Trophy shows the funny side of the players, but the purse and jacket is what makes things competitive.

Starting this year, the winner will also receive a fitted logoed golden jacket for their closet. We will also distribute jackets retroactively to Flanagan, Fowble, Trojanowski, Slick, Dosky, and Anderson. I truely value the jackets and really need to win this event."

The Open Championship is scheduled to kick off in just 48 days in Amherst, VA. There are never any favorites to win with handicaps, but 84 players will have a chance at the glory.