October 19, 2009

LAGUNA VISTA, TX — The 10th Carl Spackler Open Championship could be held in southern Texas this spring from April 15-19, 2010. The Spackler Business Office is heating up with a venue decision due by November 1 and Captains Club members traveling south.

Pat Boland, Jason Watson, and Greg Long will arrive to Laguna Vista, TX on October 26 for their first full day of scouting. "We have tickets for the 49ers vs Texans game on Sunday," says Pat Boland, Vice President of Cancellations and Red Tee Lottery. "We are then making the drive south to Laguna Vista."

The group will be staying at the golf course for 3 nights. "We plan to scout the golf course, lodging, transportation, and entertainment on Monday," added Boland. "If we believe Texas should be selected as venue, Tuesday will be used for extensive event planning."

The guys plan to leave town Wednesday morning.

The scouting trip was planned after receiving a room full of positive feedback at the 2009 Awards Presentation plus 54 participants in March 2009 who indicated on the website they would ‘probably’ make the trip.

"The goal behind the visit is to witness the realities behind the numerous marketing ads and focus on logistics and ground transportation," says Boland.

"There are 6 reasons why Laguna Vista is being considered.

(1) The average high temperature on April 15 is a comfortable breezy 79 degrees. The average low is 67.

(2) Laguna Vista, TX averages just 1.29 inches of rain in April. The lowest average monthly rainfall in event history was Williamsburg, VA from April 2002. The area receives 3.24 inches of rain in April.

(3) The golf course is laid out with 3 ½ holes on the ocean.

(4) The standard trip fee (comparing apples to apples) should be the second lowest in 10 years.

(5) The lodging should be townhomes located on the golf course. These homes include full kitchen, garage, living room, and most will get their own bedroom.

(6) Eliminating southern Texas solely due to its location would also eliminate ‘once-in-a-decade’ trips to Las Vegas, Arizona, Florida, etc. in 2020, 2030, or 2040."

The 10th Carl Spackler Open venue is unknown, but Texas should be considered a ‘once-in-a-decade’ location. The dates of the event are April 15-19, 2010. The days of week are Thursday-Monday with Monday airline tickets being less expensive than Sunday.  An extra day (Wednesday-Monday) of lodging, meal, and golf will be $79.

The decision on Laguna Vista, TX will be made without involving the nightly entertainment. The opportunities, which many media publications consider top-notch, will be considered gravy.

The 10th Carl Spackler Open Championship will most likely be held in Binghamton, NY or Laguna Vista, TX. There are 60 participants expected to attend a Texas venue and 90 participants expected to attend a New York venue selection.