October 9, 2011

MCHENRY, MD — The Captains Club announced today they have eliminated both Chapel Ridge Golf Club and Wisp at Deep Creek Resort as golf facilities to host the 2012 Carl Spackler Open. The decision to be removed from the nomination list comes two weeks prior the selection announcement.

"Chapel Ridge continues to be a very strong future opportunity," says Greg Long, Chairman of the Captains Club. "The golf course itself is very strong, however North Carolina for a 3rd time in 12 years is unncessary and not ideal with such a strong list of options. We are parting ways for 2012, but leaving the venue on the 2013-2015 list."

Chapel Ridge Golf Club, located in Pittsboro, combines the course design talents of Bob Moore and the player design skills of Fred Couples. The rolling hills land has been molded into a championship course reminiscent of the old traditional courses found in the United States.

"The Wisp in western Maryland has availability, entertainment, fun course design, and wonderful on-site hotel," said Greg Long, Chairman of the Captains Club. "It remains the best fit in the state of Maryland, however it does not have the quality to match up with Conklin Players Club, Chapel Ridge Golf Club, and Sultan's Run Golf Club. The Wisp is simply a casuality of comparable quality."

Dominick Palumbo designed the course in 1980, it plays to 6,711 yards from the back tees, and a slope of 138, and was recently redesigned by Todd Schroeder. It is in a hilly setting, on Deep Creek Lake, at the base of the Wisp Ski Resort, and the golf course is a classic 18-hole continuous loop design.

The 2012 Carl Spackler Open will be held in the state of southern New York or southern Indiana. Sultan's Run turf was dramatically affected by 100 degree temperatures and little rain this past summer. Binghamton and Conklin, NY were devastated by flooding in September including areas 26-feet under water.

"The damage to both venues in the past 60 days and ability remain part of the mix demonstrates the perceived quality in New York and Indiana," added Long. "We really have two great opportunities."

Tom McCauley, Vice President of Grass, has been actively lobbying the Captains Club for home-course advantage and a Sultan's Run tournament course. Matt Mogel has been heavily lobbying for Conklin Players Club. A decision on 2012 location is expected prior to Halloween.