June 19, 2015

LEBANON, OH — With just under a week left before Round 1, a press conference was called to discuss the golf tournament and status of preparations. The temporary Chairman, Chad Long, led the press conference at the Carl Spackler Open Media tent on a small stage in downtown Lebanon, OH about two blocks from House Chairman John Boehner's childhood home. The 2009 Champion wore his Championship Jacket, the 2014 trophy, and was accompanied by the Carl Spackler Open Mascot.

"Welcome to the 15th Carl Spackler Open. The event sure has selected a good venue this year. I am personally excited to return to the most special amateur golf tournament on earth.

We have a very different field of players going to the Shaker Run Golf Club this year with 59 golfers," said Long referring to the new and returning faces. "It is our smallest field in 11 years, but expecting it to be one of our most special events ever.

"We are excited to see Matt Boland, Rob Fustich, and Eric Shirreffs have returned. We also are happy to see our present 2014 Champion return.

There has been one change to the overall itinerary since first designed in September 2012. The 54-hole golf tournament will be played on a 27-hole golf facility. Players will play each nine only twice this year during tournament play."

[Scott Miller interrupts.]

"i can hardly wait! Can you elaborate on the live music at the golf course," asked senior member Scott Miller?

Long shook his head and said, "Slow down. I am getting there.

The golf facility has 3 nines. Woodlands, Lakeside, and Meadows. The traditional practice round will be played on the traditional 18 holes at Shaker Run. Lakeside and Wodlands. We have also taken steps to acquire tee times on Thursday morning for 9 holes on the Meadows. It is expected to be a shotgun start at 9:30am.

Marty Zabonik asked, "Can you tell me about Shaker?"

Long replied, "Yes. Shaker Run was the best public golf course in the state of Ohio for years. It was a very beautiful place too. The USGA thought enough of it to host its USGA Public Links Championship here. The winner got invited to The Masters in Augusta, GA. This is the course where Michelle Wie, as a teen, attempted to get invited to The Masters.

The golf course eventually ran into economic problems and bankupted during the financial crisis. The bank ran the course unsuccessfully and completely destroyed its perception inside the local golf community. The course hit rock bottom when the area lost hundreds of ash trees to some disease.

Shaker Run was then purchased likely at a rock bottom price and quickly was repaired, but getting the word out was slow. They removed the dead ash trees and cleaned everything up. That is where the Carl Spackler Open stepped in against a handful of doubters to secure the event.

The golf course is very traditional and includes 27 holes. A little terrain, a little bunkering, a little woods, a little water, a little left, and a little right. It is not difficult and not easy. The final holes on both Lakeside and Woodlands nines are beautiful and perfect finishing holes."

Zabonik replied, "Good stuff. What about this live music on Friday?"

Long replied, "Shaker Run hosts some kind of social (maybe a party) on Fridays. They have live music in their pavilion and we are planning to stick around after the scramble and check it out."

Bill Bateson asked, "What is up with nightly fun?"

Long replied, "There is a nice Clubhouse Grille near the hotel for drinks and food. It is a sports bar with outdoor patio. We expect this to provide an atmosphere we require."

Justin Gorby asked, "Are we going to get tee times and pairings soon?"

Long replied, "We are working on that. It is the most time intense project of the year. As soon as possible."

Marty Whalen asked about Sunday night. Long replied, "We are putting finishing touches on the Awards Dinner and Presentation. This will be the second time in 15 years what we have held the dinner and awards at the golf course. So just working out those details including the schedule between golf and dinner. The itinerary will be set very soon."

The 2015 Carl Spackler Open will host its player meeting on Thursday evening after the practice round. Bag storage will be executed between the practice round and player meeting. The meeting is expected to last 45 minutes.