December 24, 2025

DUNNELLON, FL — The Carl Spackler Open, renowned as the #1 amateur golf tournament in the United States, officially begins Phase 3 of its highly anticipated Roster Acceptance process at the beginning of January 1. The Captains Club continues the meticulous task of building the participant list for the 25th annual event scheduled to take place in three months.

Chairman of the Captains Club, Greg Long, emphasized the significance of this third phase, stating, "We are expecting to reach our roster maximum for our Florida event in early January. Registrants listed under the Phase 3 of the Roster Worksheet are added as pending participants. Unpaid pending participants have until the 21st of January to pay their $200 deposit. We will finalize the roster in early February based on funded registrants and space available."

A total of 35 registrants were added on November 1 as part of Phase 1 of the Roster Build. Another 21 registrants were added as part of Phase 2. Nearly all of those registrants had paid the deposit upon registration.

Unpaid pending registrants are given three weeks to secure their roster spot by making the required deposit. Failure to receive a full $200 deposit by the 21st of the designated month will result in the removal and unregistering of pending participant.

Captains Club Chief Financial Officer, Rick Dosky, explained, "The Carl Spackler Open requires $200 deposits. Deposits for accepted participants became non-refundable and non-transferrable starting five months prior our event."

Phase 3 encompasses the remaining registrants sorted by a combination of contribution and attendance grades. The order in which each event roster is constructed is determined by the information provided in the Roster Worksheet. The active sheet is available within the registration process and inside the website notebook.

"All remaining roster spots after February 1 are given only to paid registrants using the Roster Worksheet,” says Captains Club member Chad Long. “This is completed in seconds immediately after Phase 3.”

The three-phase approach involves adding a group of registrants as pending participants at the start of each month (or phase), processing received payments, and unregistering unpaid participants at the end of each month (or phase). The participants' webpage identifies pending participants with unpaid deposits. A large portion of registrants make payments upon registration, streamlining the calendar management process.

With the 2026 Carl Spackler Open slated to unfold in Florida in four months. Event organizers anticipate participation to reach 68 to 72 golfers for their 25th edition. The first set of participant options rolled out on December 11 and will close in early February, building excitement among golf enthusiasts and setting the stage for another thrilling tournament experience.