May 27, 2016

SEVIERVILLE, TN — With less than two weeks left before Round 1, a press conference was called to discuss the golf tournament and status of preparations. The Chairman, Greg Long, led the press conference at the temporary Carl Spackler Open Media tent and stage in downtown Katy, TX near Good Olde Boys Barbeque.

"Welcome to the 16th Carl Spackler Open. The event has selected another great golf course this year. I am personally looking forward to competing for the Championship and seeing everyone again.

We have a very different field of players going to the Sevierville Golf Club this year. Matt Mogel is set to return as our strongest golfer with rookie David Ober poised to take over as our most skilled golfer. Don McFarland returns to the event after taking off 12 years. Chad Long returns as our slowest golfer and of course Bill Murray returns as himself.

"The turnover of hackers into players with decent skills has been amazing," said Greg Long of the talent participating. "The stroke handicap has dropped every single year with a larger drop in 2015. The event will experience an even bigger drop in 2016. This is expected to translate into faster play and with less golf balls being lost."

There has been one significant change to the overall itinerary or format since first designed in November 2015. The event will play Round 1 and Round 2 on the Highlands course. Round 3 will be played on the River course.

Senior member Chris Milam asked, "What's up with the Wednesday afternoon being played on the River course? We are only playing that course for Round 3." Long replied, "I have made mistakes this year. I did not follow up with Sevierville. Sevierville did what they wanted to do instead of what we discussed. We were placed on the Highlands course on Thursday, which was not the request and what was not agreed upon. They inserted is a huge outing on the River course on Thursday and Sevierville really does not care about our problem. So just going to do our best."

[Scott Miller interrupts.]

"Things have been very quiet this winter," says senior member Scott Miller. "Do you feel the same way?"

Long shook his head and said, "Yes. The Sevierville venue was very straight forward. Organizing these events has gotten easier as we learn from our mistakes and added technology."

Mark Roner asked, "This year's trip fee is $424. That is the highest that I have paid. Is this the new standard?"

Long replied, "No. Binghamton was $435 and this year is considered expensive. We are however moving in the direction of better lodging as our golfers age. This year's hotel is pretty nice; maybe too nice for us. I think the future will boost quality and stick around the lower $400's."

Greg Gillette asked, "What should I expect at Sevierville Golf Club?"

Long replied, "The opposite of Smokey Mountains.

The conditions at Conklin Players Club in 2012 were fantastic. Sevierville should reach the Top 5 for conditions. It will need to break through Tanglewood Park (2004), Grande (2007), Poplar Grove (2009), and of course Conklin (2012) to reach the top. The course is not completely flat, but is far from a mountainous terrain. There is a lot of water and trouble out there, but fairways are very generous. The routing of holes is as confusing as anything you have ever experienced in your life. The layout is not expected to meet the standard of the Carl Spackler Open, but there are two different courses."

Dan Obendorfer suggested the weather could be nice. Long added, "It appears so. Anything can happen, but it has rained a little to a lot at every event except 2007 in Michigan. Tennessee could be the 2nd time we see no rain and the temps could hold to the low 80's. It seems to good to be true."

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

Long replied, "We are staying in the heart of the Smokey Mountain vacation area. It is a family oriented vacation destination. It is a fun place with lots of things to do. There are a few night-time options including Boogaloos, which is an indoor/outdoor sports bar."

Bateson asked about the beer at the golf course. "What's up with the $3 beers?" Long replied, "Last week was not a good week. I asked for $2 beers in October and was told that would be too difficult for beverage carts on multiple courses. We were instead verbally granted $2 beers when purchased in the clubhouse. The golf course added "draft" in front of the word "beer" and I missed it in the paperwork. You can take that however you want it to be taken."

Allen Hench asked, "How is your game coming into this year's event?" Long replied, "I have played 3 or 4 times since last June. My driver is a standard 270 yards down the middle. The rest is all over the place. I plan to spend a couple of days in Tennessee prior to the event with my kids and then focus in on a Golden Jacket."

The 2016 Carl Spackler Open will be played June 8-11 in Sevierville, TN. There are 64 golfers expected to participate for trophy, $300 credit for 2017, and Golden Jacket. The Horses Ass will also be up for grabs along with Carl Spackler Outfit.