April 30, 2017

BARNESVILLE, PA — The Carl Spackler Open is a 54-hole amateur golf tournament with an annual field of players reaching 76 in its 17th year. There are 45 participants who have registered for a return to Mountain Valley.

"The Carl Spackler Open is returning to Mountain Valley again," says a delighted Jason Ridgeway. "At least that was my initial thought, however there are just 25 players returning from 2005. That leaves 31 participants who see Mountain Valley as a foreign course.

I am a Mountain Valley veteran, but its hard to believe the number of players who have never experienced Mountain Valley. As the golf season begins in Ohio, I have already begun to build my tournament game plan with the 210-yard club at the top of the list."

Mountain Valley has added a new pro shop, banquet hall, and remodeled the snack bar. Mountain Valley also remodeled the clubhouse.

Mark Roner, Bruce Saxe, Mark Palmer, Justin Frederoski, and Tim Swanson are Mountain Valley rookies. Chris Hays and Dan Hagg will return for the first time in 12 years.

"The event feels a little different this year for me," added Ridgeway. "I feel more knowledgable of the golf course and comfortable with the event. I have found peace with my driver riding around Mountain Valley and rarely being used. I fully expect to hit the 210-yard club more than 40 times."

The golf course has added 9 holes since June 2005. The event lodging moved 27 miles from Pottsville, PA in 2005 to Hazleton, PA in 2011. It will move again to Barnesville, PA in 2017 and be just 1 mile from the golf course.

The 2017 Carl Spackler Open will be held July 12-15 in Barnesville, PA. There are 76 players expected to participate plus celebrity appearances from Walt Tobash and Pork.