December 15, 2012

SNOWSHOE, WV — The 2013 Carl Spackler Open has a date, a location, and a fee. The vast majority of the details are complete. Registration opened in late-October with checks arriving and rumors surfacing daily.

"The budget for this event was set at 48 golfers," says Chief Financial Officer Rick Dosky. "The club continues to expect 48 to 60 golfers to head to West Virginia, but who exactly will show up is a truck load of rumor."

There are 8 golfers who have signed to participate in the annual golf event. There are plenty of rumors to go around with 42 additional members indicating 'probable' or better as their chances for actual participation.

"Not attending this year," wrote Dave Lauerhass last month referring to his expected absence. "Looking forward to 2014."

"Bringing a rookie this year," says Scott Miller, Marty Whalen, and Mark Roner. "I will be there this year," said Rob Fustich. "We are returning this year", says Bruce Saxe on behalf of himself and Ron Saxe.

Several rumors out of southeast Virginia include attendance by 8 rookies plus the return of Trent Cooper, Jean Dore, Dave Nickles, Jay Glover, Chris Hays, Bill Harwell, and Chris Inghram. Scott Miller, Lars Faus, and Bobby Leitz are expected to return.

Mike Davis and Matt Pritchard are expected to skip the 2013 tournament for high school graduations. Barry Cederquist is expected to skip to participate in his own wedding. Champion Andy Hanks, Randon Mineweaser, and Paul Mangione are not expected to attend in 2013.

"The largest surprise to date is the verbal commitment from Rob Fustich," says Captains Club member Jeremy Myers. "This might even cause Glenn Hoffert to return."

"60", says Captains Club member Greg Long referring to his maximum target attendance number. "The chances of 70 golfers is becoming more doubtful by the day. There has been almost no talk of this year's tournament, which makes the 48 to 60 estimate very wishy washy. I will stick with it. Tis the season for 'I'm in', 'I'm coming' and 'check is in the mail'. I probably hear this 60 times in January. I would imagine 5 checks from this batch of people will arrive before the Super Bowl."

Bill Harwell is questionable. "I do not know if I am attending this year," says Harwell. "I have to ask my wife first. If she gives me the 'go ahead', then I can determine whether the event is being withheld inside 3-hour drive of my house. I am looking for convenience and a fair golf course that does not give others an edge like Mountain Valley. The Raven appears to be more fair, but still questionable."

Scott Miller would have 'home field advantage' with a just a 2-hour commute to Snowshoe, WV.

There are a number of senior members escaping rumor. Jason Ridgeway, Jim Munksgard, Mike Gibson, Bob Morris, Matt Boland, Dan Obendorfer, Tim Davis, Jeff Tatum, Jim English, Bill Bateson, Henry Jensen, Fernando Martinez, Jeff Miller, and Harold Anderson.

The 2013 Carl Spackler Open will be held between June 6 and 9. The deadline for registration is January 31. Late-entries will be collected and held in limbo until April 15 when a decision will be made to acquire an attendance number divisible by four.