June 15, 2001

MYRTLE BEACH, SC — A good start apparently doesn?t mean a whole lot for Glenn Hoffert.  Jim survived a starting 61 point effort, to hold the lead for two months with an 89.8 NOOG point average to finish off a victory in the Inaugural 2001 Carl Spackler Spring Open Championship, holding off Brian Long(i.e. Ruthie) by 6.6 points.

?I guess that's the only way I can do it now," Jim said with a laugh. "Now I know I have to get off to a good start for the Summer Open if I hope to repeat as champion."  The victory ended a 7-year drought since Jim attempted fifteen keg stands to defeat Blackie in a red house drinking binge in Altoona, PA.

The Official 2001 Open Champion Greg Long (55.3), had his best rounds over the past few weeks, but it just wasn?t enough.  He struggled with his short irons and putter during the first half of the season.  "I'm not too disappointed," said Slick, who picked up his biggest check -- $100 ? in the March 2001 Open victory. "I have been hitting the ball solid as of late and will be lingering at the top of the Summer Open Leaderboard.?

The 2001 Spring Open officially ends on Friday morning, where the handicap entry will be turned off until Sunday evening.  The 2001 Summer Open field will be released with new NOOG points.  Each player?s NOOG points will be adjusted to the rest of the field with a slight edge to the lowest handicapped players.  This move indicates the higher the handicap, the larger room for improvement.

This Open, unlike the Spring, will run from June 17, 2001 until October 28, 2001.  Brian Cook remarked at Tuesday morning press conference.  ?I am going to try to get off to a great start.  I plan on playing 36 holes this Saturday and be ready to enter my scores on Sunday afternoon.?