August 1, 2011

NEWPORT NEWS, VA — The Carl Spackler Open has been held for 11 years in 10 different states with 189 different players. The 4-day event has been held in mid-April and early-June for the past 10 years. The Captains Club reaffirmed the event date for the 2012 Carl Spackler Open.

The Captains Club announced the 12th annual event is expected to return to the 2nd weekend of June. This is June 6-9, 2012, which is 9 days after Memorial Day and 8 days prior to Father's Day.

"A date sounds simple and without thought," says Don Creighton. "But a lot of guys will make excuses in December if the date is not stationary and announced nearly a year in advance."

Jason Watson continued to read the press document. "The club picked the 2nd week of June again for its 8th year," said Watson. "The event date will move to late-May at some point, but the next installment of the Carl Spackler Open will return to its traditional date in June 2012."

There are no conflicts with Conklin Players Club in New York or Wisp in Maryland, however scouting continues. The known conflict with the traditional weekend continues to be future high school graduations. A secondary event date, May 16-19, which will eventually move the event up in the calendar by three weeks.

"You would not believe the conflicts with almost every weekend between April and October," says Kevin Long, Jr. "The worst weekend is late-June. There are four Captains Club June wedding anniversaries after Fathers Day and almost half the club is not married. The first half of July is also full of conflicts."

The Captains Club polled the 120 golfers who attended the 2009 and 2011 Carl Spackler Opens. There were some conflicts with the 3rd weekend in May, however it was the best secondary weekend of choice.

"We love our bermuda grass very green and our northern oaks in full bloom," says Jeremy Myers. "The inaugural tournament was held in Myrtle Beach in a very cold March 2001. The tournament immediately pushed towards a summer classic by holding the 2002 Carl Spackler Open in Williamsburg, VA during mid-April. The championship moved to its current home in June 2003. It has remained in early June with the exception of 2010 for 8 years. The 2010 event was temporarily moved to April for a once-in-a-decade golf trip to southern Texas."

The date of choice ensures incredibly hot and humid temperatures are avoided in the south while Michigan and New York have a confortable summer feel. The date also is devised to avoid rusty swings, football season, weddings, mid-summer vacations, wedding anniversaries and daily spring rain.

"This gives our group complete focus outside their families on the tournament, golf, and Golden Jacket," said Jeremy Myers.

"In closing, the Captains Club is looking forward to it's 12th major championship." Dilks, the winner of the 2011 Carl Spackler Open, then departed with Don Creighton to a local pub to discuss the 'stroke-and-distance' rule.

The Captains Club continues their focus towards a 2012 tournament location. The major golf event is expected to remain on Interstate 81 for 3 out of 4 straight years or make a move to Maryland, Tennessee, Michigan, or West Virginia. Carl Spackler continues to truck around in search of the perfect golf value.

"I have plans to return," says Mike Northway. "I have learned this year that Turkey hunting is not as important as I originally thought."

The next Carl Spackler Open will most likely be held on June 6-9, 2012. There are 80 to 90 participants expected for the 4-day national championship. A decision on venue is expected prior to Halloween.