April 4, 2005

POWELL, OH — Who might be the 2005 Carl Spackler?  That is the standard question throughout the field of players.  Just maybe, the field has received a frontrunner as the real golf season began on Friday, April 1.

Marc Long, who carded a dreadful 106-over par in late September returned on Sunday to make a major move towards an equally dreadful Outfit".  Marc Long braved the 30 mph winds, 50 degree temperature, and extremely soggy conditions at Bent Tree Golf Club to shoot an 81-over par 153.

"I really felt better this time around," says Long when comparing his round to last September in Kentucky.  "I think it is premature to talk about the Carl Spackler Outfit in early April.  Even with the very treacherous conditions today, I dropped my overall score by 25 strokes.  To me, that makes a huge optimistic statement."

Marc Long hinted at the high expectations he has for himself.  The future plan is to gradually remove strokes week by week, month by month.  Long hinted about eliminating another 25 strokes during his next round when better course and weather conditions exist.  He also believes some minor short game practice could elminiate another 10 strokes at a minimum.  He strongly believes that will put him under 120 strokes per round.  

"Marc looked very successful at times," says brother Chad Long.  "Times that would indeed put him in a competitve position.  The only problem is Marc looked very miserable at times."

The On Tour Championship began on February 1.  Matt Munksgard leads the season-long tournament with 44.2 points per round.  Jean Dore is the current Spackler caboose with 28.2 points per round.