December 7, 2009

LAGUNA VISTA, TX — The 2010 Carl Spackler Open Championship will be held in Laguna Vista, TX starting April 15, 2010. There are 40 to 60 participants expected for the 10th annual event. The Captains Club held a press conference to talk about ground transportation.

"Thanks for coming," says Greg Long, Chairman of the Captains Club. "Looking forward to the trip. Ground transportation is included inside the $399 trip fee. Some unknown vehicle will pick up participants on Wednesday or Thursday at three different airports and drop them off at three different airports on Monday.

Something will shuttle participants to/from the island on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Something will shuttle everyone to the Laguna Vista Shopping Center on Sunday.

We are not renting a coach bus for 7 total attendees and not providing van service for 60 golfers. The actual vehicle used will be determined after flight reservations are purchased.

Are there any questions?"

Senior member Trent Cooper asked, "Which airport is best?"

Long replied, "Harlingen Valley International Airport."

Cooper asked, "Why?"

Long replied, "It is the closest commerical airport to the golf course. The actual structure appears to be brand new. The airport is small, but has restaurants, rental cars, and appropriate services. There were zero vehicles outside the airport during both of our October vists. There were probably 100 people inside the airport and most were employees. Southwest and Continental employees just stand around waiting to serve people."

Cooper asked, "Why doesn't everyone just fly into HRL?"

Long replied, "Please read the registration document online, look at a map of Texas, and do a little homework. Knowledge will set your mind at ease.

The club would prefer if 50 participants had an excess $600 laying around at home. We would like to require everyone to fly into Harlingen Valley International Airport (HRL) using Continental Airlines and land Wednesday night at 10:59PM. Very efficient and easy to understand.

Unfortunately we do not control personal check books and individual decisions.

Instead, participants are asked to purchase an airline ticket to HRL that lands between Wednesday, April 14 @ 2:00PM and Thursday, April 15 @ 1:00PM. They should schedule their departing flight on Monday, April 19 after 7:59AM.

The club is fully aware of the present fares (4 months in advance) into HRL. The flight from Norfolk is presently $250 inflated, which may or may not change in January, February, or March. Participants have the option to fly into San Antonio International Airport (SAT) on Wednesday, April 14. The fare may or may not be less expensive than HRL. An unknown vehicle will depart from the Red Roof Inn Airport parking lot in San Antonio on Thursday, April 15 @ 6:00AM. The same vehicle will return participants to SAT terminal on April 19 at 12:00PM. Please schedule returning flights departing SAT after 12:59PM on Monday.

The vehicle used to transport participants is entirely based on overall attendance. We will credit participants substantially and rent two cars with only 6 participants. We most likely will rent 12-seat passenger vans, a 24-seat shuttle bus, or a 57-seat coach bus. We might even rent taxi-vans, but all of this is included in the $399 trip fee.

Any other questions?"

Jeff Tatum asked, "How far is it from San Antonio?"

Long replied, "Vehicles from SAT will drive past HRL. A coach bus would stop at HRL for additional passengers. The total trip would be 5 1/2 hours each way. A passenger van or rental car would make the trip in 4 hours & 15 minutes. Vans would probably not leave the hotel until 7:00AM CST, but that would be determined in April 2010."

Chad Long asked, "What about flights on Sunday?"

Slick replied, "We have moved the event forward one day because the most expensive day of the week to fly is Sunday. The practice round is Thursday and Round 3 is Sunday. The cost to play golf and sleep on Wednesday is the same as Sunday. We are not providing ground transportation to the airport on Sunday.

Any other questions about ground transportation?"

Chris Milam asked, "When and how are you arriving to Texas?"

Long replied, "I am waiting for Continental flights from CMH to (Houston) IAH to drop by 40 percent. Then going to purchase a one-way ticket from CMH to HRL on Wednesday, April 14. I plan to arrive at 10:59PM, collect my golf bag, and walk out of the airport with at least a couple more guys who rode the same plane and climb into a mini-van, passenger van, or shuttle bus.

I plan to purchase another one-way ticket in January, February, or March. This will be my return ticket.

I am not god, but have been flying to Texas for 3 years now. I am sure the prices will come down early next year, but plan to purchase a round trip airline ticket to San Antonio International Airport before paying $300.00. I will probably arrive early Wednesday and have a few drinks downtown at the River Walk.

Any other questions?"

Dave Osborne asked, "How do I know what vehicle?"

Slick replied, "It will be communicated just like the pairings and roommates. All participants will be asked to return to their participant options and confirm their ground transportation online.

The nightly transportation will be communicated in the form of a schedule. Any bus rental will have a conservative bus schedule, route, and stops.

Any other questions?"

[no other questions]

The 2010 Carl Spackler Open Championship will begin Thursday, April 15 with the practice round. The annual Skills Challenge Contest will be held on Sunday, April 18 after Round 3 play. There are 7 participants registered.