January 1, 2013

SNOWSHOE, WV — Jason Watson, Greg Long, and Jeremy Myers have been to the Carl Spackler Open so many times that a club was created: 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, 40, 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, New York, and Texas. The event will visit West Virginia in 2013.

"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), Chris Philipsen (2005) Jon Marti (2006), Allan Hench (2007), Mark Wray (2007), Dave Lauerhass (2007), and Dave Osborne (2007). Hench, Wray, Lauerhass, and Osborne could attend their 7th straight event in West Virginia.

There are a number of reports out of Columbus, OH that Dave Lauerhass' streak will come to an end this year. That will leave just 14 or 15 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."

There are participants who have missed at least one event, however have participated in 10 or more events. Kevin Long, Jr., Matt Davis, Don Creighton, Tom McCauley, Jay Dilks, and Mike Trojanowski.

"The tournament field is unknown, but the probability of these guys attending is close to certain."

The 2013 Carl Spackler Open will be played at the Raven in Snowshoe, WV starting on June 6. Tournament attendance is expected to drop for a second straight year. Registration for the 13th annual Spackler birthday party ends on January 31.