December 31, 2016

BARNESVILLE, PA — The 2017 Carl Spackler Open has a date, a location, and a fee. Most of the details are complete. Registration opened six months ago with all rumor and little action.

"The budget for this event was set at 80 golfers," says Chief Financial Officer Rick Dosky. "The club continues to expect 70 to 90 golfers to head to Mountain Valley, but who exactly will show up is a truck load of rumor. There is a hotel maximum of 90 golfers."

Pat Boland suggests the tournament field could soar to 80. "There should be 80 to 85 this year," said a confident Boland back in August 2016. "There is too much history in Barnesville."

Boland was asked how the attendance would grow 25% from 2016. Boland snickered and said, "Just watch."

There are 3 participants who have signed to participate in the annual golf event. There are plenty of rumors to go around with 67 additional members rumored as 'probable' or better.

"Check is in the mail," wrote Chris Hays from California last week referring to a single check for himself. "Dosky has told me Mountain Valley is his kind of place. Of course it is. He won the 2005 event in Barnesville."

"We will not miss a trip to Mountain Valley," says Rob Reustle. "It will be great to return and spend time with the wonderful field of players."

The worst player in tournament history, Mark Wray, is expected to return along with rumors of Jean Dore and possibly Trent Cooper. There are even rumors of Dave Lauerhass, Erik Shirreffs, Tom Peckham, Pat McElroy, Nick Casale, and Keith Archer.

"The largest recruitment efforts will be spent on Glenn Hoffert from Washington and Trent Cooper from Virginia," says Captains Club member Pat Boland. "I think Yeungling could be the deciding factor."

"70", says Captains Club member Greg Long referring to his target attendance number. "My conservative estimate was 80 from the start. Tis the season for 'I'm in', 'I'm coming' and 'check is in the mail'. I would imagine half of those verbal commitments will be financed."

The 2017 Carl Spackler Open will be held on July 12. The deadline for registration is February 28.