May 18, 2014

MOUNT STERLING, KY — Over a set of wet, windy, and cold days where a number of golfers thought winter had returned, Gerald Long was piling up the points. The tournament was played in, far and away, the coldest climate ever. The breeze, cloud cover, and 50 degree temperatures left most of the tournament field in disarray.

Gerald Long opened Round 1 with lots of double-bogeys and even more long putts. Hope was nearly lost as quickly as it started. Long carded a dreadful 5-over 10 at the 5th hole. However, Gerald Long shrugged off the hole and continued to bogey or double-bogey hole-after-hole. He nearly had the lead just before he dropped a birdie putt on the final hole. This along with 6 long putts gave Gerald Long the lead in the 54-hole golf tournament that he never gave back.

"I had my print outs, did my analysis, and was ready to execute my game plan," says Gerald Long. "I accidentally shifted my swing on the range and unexpectedly noticed it straightened my driver out. I made that adjustment on the practice range and executed it this week. The consistent straight shots off the tees was a huge factor in my win."

Long returned for "Moving Day" (Round 2) with only one place to move. Down! Instead he never took a triple-bogey or worse. "Old Silo is a course that demands commitment and consistency," says 2013 Champion Rob Hench. "It takes a hell of a round not to take a big number out there. When you consider the weather... it is amazing." Long scored 9 double-bogeys, 7 bogeys, and 2 pars. It wasn't fancy, but it was 62 points.

The final 18 holes was more of the same. Ignore the weather and score points every single hole. Gerald Long scored 22 points through the first 5 holes on Saturday. Mike Gibson, Chris Price, and Greg Long stormed up the Leaderboard to challenge the leader. Gibson grabbed a share of the lead for a brief moment.

"I played really well this week, but did not have enough in the end to compete with Gerry's consistency," says Senior Member Mike Gibson. "It was really fun and only threw a club once or twice this year."

Gibson cut the lead down the stretch and needed a birdie on the final hole to win. It was not to be this year. Gerald Long finished with a one-point win. 188-187.

"I watched for three days as a perfect mix of low, medium, and high handicapped golfers went out there, competed, and scored some points," says Captains Club member Greg Long. "The handicap system worked wonderfully again. I couldn't be happier with our tournament and its competition."

Gerald Long became the second senior (50 years old or older) to win the Carl Spackler Open. The first was Rob Hench, who won just last year in 2013. "The seniors have made a statement to the younger guys that they are here to play," says Dave Osborne. "A big Congratulations to Gerry."

Gerald graciously won the 2014 Carl Spackler Open, Golden Jacket, Golden Hat, Winners Trophy, and rotating Championship Trophy. He also took home a $300 credit to the 2015 Carl Spackler Open.

Gerald Long is the 4th player from Pennsylvania to win the golf tournament. He follows Steve Hoden from Warren, who won the tournament back in June 2004, 2011 Champion Jay Dilks out of Oil City, and Andy Hanks from Warren who won in 2012.