August 13, 2011

ONTARIO, CANADA — The Carl Spackler Open is into the "swing" of things this summer looking for the best opportunities for future Carl Spackler Open's. Along comes Otter Creek Golf Club and Ambassador Golf Club in southern Ontario, Canada. The two superb golf courses join the venue list for 2013-2018.

Otter Creek Golf Club is located in the rural farm community of Otterville, Ontario, a short 20 minute drive from Woodstock. Designed by renowned Canadian golf course architect Dick Kirkpatrick, Otter Creek opened its doors to the public on July 1, 2008. Encompassing 300 acres and carved through the wooded valleys of Otter, Cedar and Spittler Creeks, the golf course meanders cleverly over former farmer's fields and tobacco lands.

"The first 5 holes are true links," says Vice President of Scoring, Greg Garrett. "The remainder is rolling through the forest. A beautiful golf course with conditions as good as they get. The practice facility is the best I have seen since April 2002 at Colonial."

Otter Creek is located 18 minutes from Woodstock, Ontario. The Charles Dickins Pub and Kelsey's Bar & Grill along with Quality Inn, Holiday Inn Express, and Microtel Inn would finish off the venue option.

Ambassador Golf Club is located in Windsor, Ontario, a short 7 mile drive to America. Designed by Thomas McBroom, the Ambassador GC is an upscale, public, links-style golf course measuring 7033-yards. The course features large greens, undulating fairways, expansive lakes and old-world bunkering.

"Conklin Players Club aside, Ambassador could very well be the best conditioned golf course ever played," says Chairman of the Captains Club, Greg Long. "I am not a fan of links-designed courses, but Ambassador has to be one of the best on the planet for the dollar. The heather, fairways, tees, greens, and bunkers are in pro tournament shape. The definition and depth of the bunkers and watering of dark green rough is incredible."

Ambassador is located 30 seconds from Windsor Racetrack & Slots and 5 minutes from hotel. The Comfort Inn is a 30-second walk to large sports bar. The hotel is also located 8 minutes from Caesars Casino in Windsor.

The Captains Club visited Canada in mid-July to scout the best bangs for the buck in Canada. The foursome (Jon Marti, Kyle Marti, Greg Long, Greg Garrett) played four courses from 'Canada's Top 25 Best Bang for the Buck' rankings list. Tarandowah #1, Ambassador #4, Otter Creek #8, and Forest City National #22.

"The venue would require golfers to have a passport," says Greg Long. "It would also require the American dollar to strengthen quite a bit from its present lows. All items in Canada from hotel to golf to gasoline feel 20 percent higher in cost. I am of the opinion that Canada is not a matter of 'if', but 'when'."

Ambassador and Otter Creek have been added to the 2013-2018 Carl Spackler Open venue lists. Conklin Players Club in Binghamton, NY and Wisp in McHenry, MD lead the options for 2012. A decision will be made prior to Halloween.