Otter Creek Ruled Out
August 14, 2022
WOODSTOCK, ONTARIO, CANADA — The Carl Spackler Open continues to search for the next great opportunity. Along comes Otter Creek Golf Club in southern Ontario, Canada. The superb golf layout was ruled out and will not be included in the potential 2023 venue list due to reported conditions.
Otter Creek Golf Club is located in the rural farm community of Otterville, Ontario, a short 20 minute drive from Woodstock. Designed by renowned Canadian golf course architect Dick Kirkpatrick, Otter Creek opened its doors to the public on July 1, 2008. Encompassing 300 acres and carved through the wooded valleys of Otter, Cedar and Spittler Creeks, the golf course meanders cleverly over former farmer's fields and tobacco lands.
"The first 5 holes are true links," says Vice President of Scoring, Greg Garrett. "The remainder is rolling through the forest. A beautiful golf course with conditions that are no longer prestine. The practice facility is maybe the best we have ever seen as an event. Unfortunately subpar course conditions have set in and prompts our event to move on.
The Otter Creek Golf Club venue option would transform the event into an international event. It would require passport or passport card. It is located 18 minutes from Woodstock, Ontario. The Charles Dickins Pub and Kelsey's Bar & Grill along with hotel made Otter Creek something to investigate.
"A Canadian venue would require golfers to have a passport, or passport card," says Greg Long. "The American dollar is quite strong right now and lowering Canadian fees by 20 percent. I am of the opinion that Canada is not a matter of 'if', but 'when'. There is no better time than the present. Canada is super close to many of our participants. It also provides exposure to cooler temperatures. Its a super great option for 2023.
The stunning 18-hole layout is built on a 300-acre parcel of land that was used for tobacco farming in the not so distant past and is deceptively hilly with several holes cut across the picturesque and wooded valleys of Otter, Cedar and Spittler Creeks.
The 2023 Carl Spackler Open does not have a date nor a location. The date is based on golf course selection. The practice round will likely be held in April or on May 3, June 7, or June 21. The Captains Club continues to look for proposals, but will hold its first press conference in November to announce the date. There are no known golf courses being discussed at this time.
