October 28, 2002

BALTIMORE, MD — The Captain's Club thought they had everything in line to bring a Carl Spackler event to Cincinnati, Ohio -- a hotel, entertainment, a great Shaker Run course and prime-time field for golf on June 5, 6 and 7, 2003.

But the Captain's Club rejected the proposal from Shaker Run Golf Club, instead focusing on a tournament in Ashtabula, Ohio or Belle Vernon, PA that would benefit the player wallets.

"We filed a funding request with Shaker Run, and it was just too high.  The club is not about to jeopardize cost for player attendance," Dilks said.  "We have plenty of options even though the Cincinnati area had so many possibilities."

It was a frustrating development for the Captain's Club because the Carl Spackler Open has spent several months looking for a 2003 location, but didn't have room for this type of funding.

"It's not unprecedented to have a course that will not offer a group rate," Dilks added.  "The cooperation of Shaker Run was surprising this past week.  We just were not moving forward with our conversations."  

Tom McCauley of New Albany, Indiana added, "It's a matter of finding the right combination of a date, golf course and accomidations", he said.  "The Reserve of Thunder Hill is on our radar screen, but the summer season is pretty well-booked.  Cedarbrook is the other golf experience that could be the site of the 2003 Carl Spackler Open."

The tournament location is scheduled to be announced on November 15, 2003.