September 6, 2001

MYRTLE BEACH, SC — Scott Miller is still the king in the annual Carl Spackler Players Choice commissioned by Captain?s Club. But Chris Black and Brian Flanagan are closing fast.

The club surveyed their nine avid members to measure consumer attitudes toward prominent golf figures.  The criteria was familiarity, likability and credibility.

Miller Time scored a 72.7 rating, down from 76.3 a year ago. That gave him a slight edge over Chris Black (71.0, down from 73.2), while Flanagan's index increased from 67.6 last year to 70.2. Rounding out the top 10 were Eric Kaniecki, Jeff Cowan, Chris Goss, Robby Fustich, Chris Lashley, Don McFarland, and Glenn Hoffert.

The Captain?s Club CEO Jamie Myers suggested Miller's rise was related to his low-scoring in 2001, while Blackie might have dipped slightly for playing Kmart?s $18 driver.

"But there's still no doubt that Scott Miller is No. 1 with avid golfers, and those are the people who influence this list the most," he said.