March 5, 2003

ASHTABULA, OH — The Open is coming.  With the On Tour Championship starting over the weekend, all eyes are beginning to turn to the Grand Finale. The 2003 Carl Spackler Open is coming and 26 players have signed letters of intent.  This championship is more important than the previous as it will include at least 11 new rookies.

Players like Big Kev, Munksgard, Ruthie, Marti, Bateson, Chad, McElroy and OlaFowble are expected to attend.  "Talk about diversity", said Mike Trojanowski.  "We have young pups, experienced players and middle aged men.  For gods sake, we even signed a mullet for 2003."  Don Crile rounds out what is expected to be a great tournament.  Returning from 2002 are players like McFarland, Watkeys, Dosky, Garrett and 2002 Honoree Jeff Cowan.  All members of the Captains Club have again signed letters of intent for the tournament.

This year?s event has been scheduled for June 12- 14th, 2003 with a practice round available to participants on June 11th. The field is becoming more competitive and the number of potential golfers registered with the website is a greater indication that the 3rd annual tournament will be a greater success than any other.

Tom McCauley, last year?s Carl Spackler Outfit recipient, was quoted as saying, ?I?m looking forward to this year?s rookies making the same mistake that I made in the Inaugural event by not take the tournament seriously. I can?t wait to see one of them in either the new Al Cervic Outfit or the Carl Spackler Outfit if not both!? He went on to state, ?I?ve been dedicating myself to improving my game. I think everyone will be surprised at the results.?

Carl Spackler himself is showing an enthusiastic spring in his step lately. ?Its nice to be able to look at the great strides the event has made and get excited about the future. I think that I have been working on so many of the issues related to the competition, like Don Cook, Chris Goss and Chris Lashley failing to sign a letter of intent, that I can occasionally forget what an excellent event this truly is.?

Greg Long, Chairman of the Spackler Open Captains Club, has been diligently gathering the final pieces of the puzzle related to the 2003 Open. Details are forthcoming and will be available soon. Greg hinted, ?I?m confident that we will exceed everyone?s expectations.?