April 15, 2009

AMHERST, VA — Basic in design and gold in color, the Golden Jacket still has a cachet all its own. Though better suited for a cocktail party than the fashion runways, few sport coats are more coveted than the Golden Jacket. Only registered players of the Carl Spackler Open Championship have a chance to wear it.

As the 9th Carl Spackler Open golf tournament tees off in June, we take a look at "the jolly Golden Jacket" and the mystique surrounding it. "It's a really big deal because of the tradition and prestige associated with owning one," says Jason Watson, Vice President of Awards for the Captains Club. "It's the symbolism surrounding it that makes it so special," says Watson, who golfs at least once a month, weather permitting.

"From a fashion standpoint, I think some would reach for it based solely on style," he says. "The gold might be difficult to match a tie to it, but would transform many guys into 'eye candy'."

Member Mark Wray says while there's some debate about which tournament is considered toughest to win, there's no disputing which jacket most golfers would love to own. "Everybody wants the gold one," says Wray from his home in Galloway, OH. "But if I had one, I wouldn't wear it just any place. People who aren't in golf circles wouldn't know what it meant. They'd just think I was some crazy guy in a flashy gold jacket."

What's flashy to some, however, is a mark of flair to others. That two-button, single-breasted, center vent jacket has received kudos from the most unlikely source.

The first Golden Jacket was awarded to Carl Spackler Champion in 2001. Greg Long put that one on at tournament's end after Matt Davis decided to consume a shot of liquor on every hole during the final 9 holes. Mike Trojanowski jumped from Carl Spackler Outfit receipent in 2001 to Golden Jacket winner in 2002. Tom Fowble followed in 2003 when he tamed Thunder Hill with a ridiciously high handicap. Steve Hoden finished the back nine of Tanglewood Park with 3 birdies and his jacket in 2004. The CFO Rick Dosky roared out of the gate to stamp his name into history at Mountain Valley in 2005. Shawn Long shocked the world in Raleigh with 4 bogeys, 3 pars and 1 birdie to score 67 points in the final round.

Brian Flanagan ran away with the Michigan tournament in 2007 to receive his prestigous jacket. Harold Anderson birdied four holes during Round 1 play to join Trojanowski in 2008 as New Yorkers who have captured a Golden Jacket.

Traditionally, the champion has taken home a Pittsburgh Steeler gold jacket for one year, then returned it to the following tournament to be given to the next winner. The Captains Club upgraded the Championship Trophy in 2007 and purchased 26 fitted logoed Golden Jackets this winter for past and future winners.

Returning past winners of the Carl Spackler Open will receive a fitted jacket for their closet and most importantly, to wear at Carl Spackler Open functions.

"We have a jacket for both the skinny Tom McCauley and the strong Jon Munksgard," says Jason Watson. "We are hoping to provide fitted jackets through 2019."

CFO Rick Dosky declined to reveal how much it costs to make the Golden Jacket. "That's something you can't really put a price tag on anyway," he says. "It's not about how cheaply or expensively it's made, but what it stands for to the person wearing it."

The 2009 Carl Spackler Open Championship will be played at Poplar Grove Golf Club in Amherst, VA. There are a record-high 84 golfers registered to participate in the national tournament. An unknown person will walk away with a Golden Jacket, Championship Trophy, and $300 credit towards 2010.