August 24, 2009

SKILLMAN, NJ — The tournament venue is unknown. Regardless, registration is scheduled to be available in mid-November and the Captains Club is expecting a Carl Spackler Open style recession for the 2010 Carl Spackler Open Championship.

"There are never guarantees, but we are expecting a dip in attendance for 2010," says Captains Club member Tom McCauley. "Our business office is expecting the trip cost to surge nearly 10 percent with a Binghamton or Erie venue. The same office sees a decrease in tournament fee for Laguna Vista, but required airline tickets will hide the decrease. These price increases will likely result in a dip in attendance."

McCauley added, "Although always surprised, we are expecting 10 percent to skip the 2010 event due to price increase. We are also expecting another 15 percent or 1 in 4 from Amherst to stay home if the event moves to Texas in 2010."

The tournament history included 9 players in 2001. It doubled in 2002 with 18 players and nearly doubled again in 2003 with 32 players before jumping to 48 players in Winston-Salem. Another surge of golfers ensured steady growth to 68 players in 2005. The event grew to 72 players in 2008 and then 88 players last June in Virginia.

"The Carl Spackler Open officials presently expect 60 to 64 golfers to make a trip to Laguna Vista," says senior member Nick Casale. "We might see 80 guys, but slicing 25 percent of past attendance to set very low expectations with vendors and our participants."

The Captains Club has been juggling the event maximum for several years. The future event maximum would be somewhere around 108 to 120 golfers. "The maximum would be entirely dependent on pace of play and golf course control," said McCauley. "The lowest number of participants to close a golf course for 4 days would be ideal."

The present Rumor Mill includes 17 attendees plus 12 probable attendees. There is one rookie with a written commitment.

The entry to the 2009 Carl Spackler Open Championship was $365 per participant. It included nearly everything except beverages and meals. "The 10th golf trip is expected to be $400 if not held in Texas, but an actual tournament fee is unknown until November," said Nick Casale. "We cannot guarantee anything, but do expect a small decrease in tournament fee for an 'apples to apples' Texas venue. The only remaining question is ground shuttle service."

The tournament fee increase in Binghamton and Erie is expected to open the door to better nightly entertainment options.

While inflation has risen 18.7 percent since Thunder Hill, the tournament fee has rose 5.9 percent through 2009. This demonstrates the power of participant volume while adding services and our willingness to transport ourselves to the best values in America."

McCauley was asked for his personal opinion on growth. He said, "The growth has been one surprise after another. I think there are a lot of guys who enjoy seeing the different venues and tasting the local beers along the way. Maybe some more Yuengling or Dos Equis this year."

The 2010 Carl Spackler Open is scheduled for April 15 or June 10 depending on location. The tournament date and venue will be decided on November 1. Captains Club scouting is complete for Erie, Binghamton, and Barnesville. Lagnua Vista scouting is scheduled for October 26.