January 22, 2026

DUNNELLON, FL — The anticipation for the 25th Annual Carl Spackler Open, touted as the #1 amateur golf tournament in the United States, is reaching its zenith as the event gears up to kick off in Florida. With the roster nearly finalized, excitement among golf enthusiasts is palpable as they await the ultimate showdown.

The Captains Club, the organizing body behind the prestigious tournament, has diligently crafted the 2026 roster, which primarily features golfers from all over the United States. Over the span of several months, 73 registered golfers have been added using a Roster Worksheet based on player engagement and contribution.

"Further registrants with a paid deposit now make up our waiting list," announced Captains Club member Greg Garrett, shedding light on future roster additions. "The next step to our annual roster build is to collect and post deposits from Phase 3. Then unregister unpaid participants on January 30 or 31. The last step involves accepting only paid registrants using the Roster Worksheet not to exceed the roster maximum. This will occur on February 1 or February 2. Unpaid registrants will be skipped over and not part of the waiting list."

The 2026 Carl Spackler Open is expected to have a tournament field of 72 to 76 players. Players added on February 1 or 2 have 1 or 2 days to complete the first set of participant options and less than two weeks to pay their outstanding balance.

The 2nd set of participant options will begin on February 3 and last a couple of weeks.

"The Roster Worksheet and complete acceptance process can be accessed through the website notebook," emphasized Captains Club member Bill Bateson, underlining the transparency and accessibility of the selection process. “We have inserted a process that tells us what to do while giving everyone the opportunity to control their eligibility by contributing towards making our event better.”

For paid registrants who may not secure a spot in the 2026 Carl Spackler Open, reassurance comes in the form of options outlined by the Captains Club. They will be contacted in February 2026 to either remain on the waiting list or receive a full refund, ensuring fairness and transparency in the proceedings.

As the countdown to the 2026 Carl Spackler Open commences, with a mere 3 months left until tee-off, the anticipation continues to mount. With 72 to 76 golfers expected to grace the event, the first set of participant options remains open for selection until February 2, promising an exhilarating showdown in Florida.