September 17, 2013

PITTSBORO, NC — The Captains Club announced today they have eliminated Chapel Ridge Golf Club as a golf facility to host the 2014 Carl Spackler Open. The decision to be removed from the nomination list comes six 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 non-golf scouting and course bid remain incomplete. A third verbal agreement to receive a golf course bid from the general manager has once again never arrived. We are parting ways with too many other options, but leaving the venue on our list for a potential 2015-2018 event."

Chapel Ridge Golf Club, located in Pittsboro, NC, 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.

Captains Club member Jay Myers joined Greg Long, Chris Milam, and Mark Palmer in April 2011 for a scouting trip. The group played 90 holes over four days including a round at Chapel Ridge.

"Golfers would pass the Carolina Brewery on the way to the course every morning," says a very excited Myers. "The brewery is probably 4 minutes from the golf course and yes... they have tours."

The setup included hotels and entertainment from Apex, NC. "The single disappointment is distance to lodging," says Myers.

Incomplete scouting in Apex also contributed to Chapel Ridge being removed from 2014 consideration. "The decision by golf course management to ignore 340 rounds of revenue regardless of weather is odd," says Chairman of the Captains Club Greg Long. "It is unexplainable, but increasingly common in the golf industry. A decision was made to leave non-golf scouting in Apex incomplete until a course bid can be obtained."

Tom McCauley, Vice President of Grass, has been actively lobbying the Captains Club for home-course advantage and Sultan's Run tournament course. Unfortunately that will not happen this year. The 2014 Carl Spackler Open will however be held in nearby Kentucky, Ohio, or Tennessee. A decision on venue will be announced before Halloween.