November 23, 2001

WILLIAMSBURG, VA — Carl changed his qualifications for The Open Championship last year, placing more emphasis on the United States and eliminating the practice of giving invitations to any player who knows someone from Warren, PA.

The idea was to get a stronger field, although the new criteria led to complaints that it wiped out all the drama of trying to get into the most exclusive major, however the drama has merely shifted.

While the Spackler Tour season is over, the next three weeks could prove critical for a few players trying to get into The Open Championship.  The last remaining category this year is the Kitchen Pass.

The majority of the 2002 field was set three weeks ago, when the Spackler Tour wrapped up business for the year.  Don McFarland and Scott Miller held down their positions in the top 15 on the Summer Leaderboard.

As it stands now, three tour players who played in on tour are not eligible.  Heading that list is Mike Hahn, although Hahner still could get a special invitation if he completes one more round before Christmas.

The Carl Spackler Open Championship is scheduled to begin in 145 days in Williamsburg, Virginia.  ?Letters of intent? for all players expecting to participate are due by Christmas.