January 16, 2012

CONKLIN, NY — Jason Watson, Greg Long, and Jeremy Myers have been to the Carl Spackler Open so many times that he's in a club: the "Never Missed a Spackler" club.  So when reporters spotted one of these gentlemen walking around the media center, we just had to get to the bottom of this.

"Is this whole 'never miss a Spackler' thing for real?", asked a reporter.

"This is for real," said Jason Watson, 38, of Houston, Texas. He also vouched for the other guys, Jeremy Myers (of Rocky Mount, NC), and Greg Long (of Columbus, OH).

Watson was asked, "Why Spackler?" He replied, "It is best golf event out there, isn't it?"

The Carl Spackler Open has hosted an event in South Carolina, Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana, and Texas. The event will visit New York in 2012.

"My personal favorite was Michigan," says Jeremy Myers. "It was the event where some of my closest friends didn't attend and I found myself having as much fun at that event as I do any of the others. These golf tournaments are merely tools for fun and realized what I was missing. Michigan made me realize how much I needed Spackler."

Greg Long was asked for his favorite. "Michigan", said Long. "It was the only trip with no rain, but loved the Grande, lodging, and Jerry's Pub. The 18-hole scramble is still the most fun round of golf of my life."

The Carl Spackler Open does have other golfers who have never missed a Spackler since becoming a rookie. Rick Dosky (2002), Greg Garrett (2002), Chad Long (2003), Brian Long (2003), Jon Munksgard (2003), Kyle Marti (2003), Matt Pritchard (2004), Jason Ridgeway (2004), Pat Boland (2004), Chris Philipsen (2005), Matt Boland (2006), and Jon Marti (2006). Jon Marti and Matt Boland have attended 6 straight events.

There are a number of reports out of both St. Louis and Columbus that Jason Ridgeway, Pat Boland, and Matt Pritchard's streaks will come to an end this year. That will leave just 8 or 9 golfers who have never missed an event.

Jon Munksgard, who started his adventures in 2003 at Thunder Hill, suggests "My favorite was 2003. It was the most fun ever had losing and loved the bars and dancing. Go Captain Morgan!"

Chris Philipsen, who joined the event at Mountain Valley in 2005, suggests, "2010 in South Padre. The beach, activities, wildlife, playable golf course with spectacular views, and best lodging in history."

Kyle Marti loved his first event at Mountain Valley. "2005 for sure was the best," says Marti. "My playing partners that year stand out for me. Just a great golf tournament."

The 2012 Carl Spackler Open will be played at Conklin Players Club in Conklin, NY starting on June 6. Tournament attendance is expected to drop considerably to somewhere between 70 and 80 golfers. Registration for the 12th annual Spackler birthday party ends on January 31.