May 27, 2011

PICKERINGTON, OH — The man with the most powerful swing in Carl Spackler Open history will calling it quits at Mountain Valley this June. The 10-year participant with multiple residences in Ohio will officially retire from the tournament tees in a couple of weeks.

"This is it!", exclaimed Garrett with a very large smile. "It is time to move up a tee, get rid of half my clubs, and buy five more wedges."

Greg Garrett, who can punish the golf ball 320 yards down the middle and also three holes to the right or left, will turn 50 in May 2012.

"This is crazy," says Pat Boland. "Someone needs to address this madness and it might as well be me. [pause] I am going to start a petition at Mountain Valley. A petition to amend the yardage played by Greg Garrett. I think enough signatures would be sufficient for a golfer vote on Sunday night."

Garrett, a.k.a. Double G, could very well play the 2012 from 6,000 yards. "He might have to retire the driver," says a startled Jason Ridgeway. "This kinda change in yardage is huge. I would have to practice differently."

The Carl Spackler Open allows golfers 50 years and older to move up a tee. The 3rd hole of the Mountain course at Mountain Valley is the hole that directly caused the rule change back in June 2005. The hole required 175 yards off the Carl Spackler Open tee.

The 3rd hole has been moved up for everyone in 2011. It will play 346 from the Carl Spackler Open tee and 307 yards from the senior tees.

There are two holes at Mountain Valley where seniors can play from the red tees. The 12th of Valley (141 yards) and 13th of Mountain (150 yards).

Jim Campbell presently holds the best finish in Spackler history from the senior tees. The Pennsylvanian finished in 4th place at Mountain Valley back in June 2005. Wayne Rutter finished in 5th position twice. 2010 & 2008. Tom Henkel also finished in 5th place in 2008.

Greg Garrett is a +17.9 stroke handicap, who shoots between 88 and 102 depending on course difficulty and what he eats for breakfast. He is presently expected to receive 2 points for bogey and 5 points for par.

The 2011 Carl Spackler Open begins with its practice round on June 9. Golfers are reminded that golf carts cannot be moved on Thursday and Saturday until Mountain Valley staff leads the carts out for the shotgun start.