July 4, 2010

BARNESVILLE, PA — A return to Mountain Valley? Possible.

The Carl Spackler Open Championship has considered the possibility of returning to a previous venue for the first time ever in its 11-year history. The Captains Club announced today it is exploring the possibility of a return to the newly expanded 36-hole Mountain Valley golf course in Barnesville, PA.

"We have experienced mixed communications with Mountain Valley for several years," says Greg Long, Chairman of the Captains Club. "The new 36-hole facility has recently opened the final 9-holes of renovations. Tee time availability and 'red carpet treatment' has been offered. Nearby Hazleton for lodging, entertainment, and shuttle service are being heavily explored."

Mountain Valley was opened in 1960. In 1997, Mountain Valley enlisted international course designer Ault, Clark & Associates to redesign the existing 18 holes and to add 9 holes. In 2007, Mountain Valley added four more holes east of Oak #6 (picture shown of one hole). These four new holes, the nine holes of Maple, and five holes from the Oak nine are now the 'Mountain' course. In 2010, Mountain Valley added five new holes east of Oak #3. These five new holes, the nine holes of Pine, and four holes from the Oak nine are now the 'Valley' course.

The facility presently consists of 36 holes of picturesque golf, carved into the unique setting of Broad Mountain, which overlooks scenic Locust Valley.

"You cannot put your finger on much, but all the trees have grown in and the course is noticably tighter," says Greg Long. "The most noticable are the bushes from the last tournament in 2005. These bushes are now 15-foot high trees. The old Pine #6 tee shot is much tighter now. You can no longer see a back-pin from the middle of the fairway at the old Maple #5."

Mountain Valley has done some minor renovations to the exisiting holes.

The old Oak #2, which was a very sharp downhill dogleg right. The tee box was a dual tee box with Pine #2 for reference. "Mountain Valley removed the dogleg and almost made a triangle out of the hole," says Greg Long. "They left three large trees and inserted a dual fairway and additional rough. The design change makes the hole more fun, easier to play, and speeds up play."

Breathtaking changes in altitude from tee to green will surprise and challenge golfers to rise to the top of their game. The construction was completed with the intention of softening the course to make it more fair for golfers of every level to appreciate. Grass and sand bunkers can be found on nearly every hole to catch the wayward shots from entering the wooded areas surrounding the course. Paved cart paths winding around the entire course allow for smooth travel between shots. Upscale shaped greens, tee boxes, streams, ponds, and other water hazards enhance the natural beauty and ensure that your playing time will be a memorable experience.

"The course is tight," says Jeremy Myers. "Rookies and members who have not played Mountain Valley better sharpen their accuracy. It is like playing the 12th hole at Rock Hollow 72 times. Poplar Grove is too wide open to compare."

Participants would experience the tightest fairways in history with deep rough and dense forest. "You need to be in good physical condition to play 54 tournament holes at Mountain Valley," says Myers. "Fortunately, Eric Sherriffs is releasing a work out video entitled, 'Are you kidding me?'"

"The condition of the greens were much better than June 2005," says Greg Garrett. "We noticed as early as the practice green off the deck. The physical design of the greens brought back memories. There are a lot of multi-tiered greens out there."

Mountain Valley is located 50 feet from Interstate 81 in eastern Pennsylvania. It is 30 minutes northwest of America's Oldest Brewery.

The NASCAR Pocono 500 will no longer affect the hotel availability. "I personally made two trips to Mountain Valley last month," says Long of the venue option. "Several of our members made a trip three weeks ago. Mountain Valley is officially ready to host our national championship for two reasons. NASCAR is no longer affecting Hazleton hotels and the golf course has availability. Our largest areas of concern are hotel rates and providing safe ground transportation."

The proposed golf trip would be managed from Hazleton instead of the 2005 Pottsville location.

The clubhouse has a very large deck that hosts large parties each week during the summer. "The golf course started hosting a second deck party on Sunday evenings a few years back," says senior member Mike Gibson. "Pork suggests Sunday evening is more laid back and better than Friday evening. The Friday party sees between 600 and 1,000 patrons. They Sunday party sees around 350 people."

Mountain Valley is 17 interstate highway minutes south of Hazleton, PA. "We are satisfied with the core setup," says Greg Long, Chairman of the Captains Club. "There are some logistical items to review, but 85 percent of venue scouting and preparations are realized.

"Please do not bring Spackler here," said Glenn Hoffert after shooting a disasterous 36-over 108 on the Valley course. "There is no way my game can flourish on these grounds."

Mountain Valley Golf Course in Pennsylvania, Conklin Players Club in New York, and the stellar Boulder Creek in Ohio are three possiblities for the 2011 Carl Spackler Open Championship.  A venue announcement with date is expected prior to November 1, 2010.