August 20, 2003

COLUMBUS, OH — The Captains Club with the direction of Carl Spackler himself has narrowed the locations of next year's Open Championship to two specific areas of the country.  A third will be introduced for bid in 2005.

All locations were considered, however only a few have the appropriate group accomidations along with Championship golf.  "This was not an easy task", said Chairman Greg Long.  "Lot's of locations are reviewed, but only a few make the grade."

The first location is Deep Creek, Maryland area that provides many large rental properties.  These properties will accomidate the largest of groups and provide such amenties as outdoor hottubs, cable televisions, pool tables, bar, fooz ball tables and plenty of queen size beds.  "The price is a little higher than in past years, but the accomidations will exceed expectations", said Long.  "The Captains Club is proud of this location and have it on the mid-September ballot."  Deep Creek is located 2 1/2 hours from Washington, D.C., 3 1/2 from Columbus, Ohio and 5 hours from Buffalo, New York.

The second location is Winston-Salem, North Carolina that provides many resort properties along with conference centers and upscale hotels.  These properties are equal or less in price than the lodging in 2002 and will provide everyone with adequate sleeping arrangements.  Winston-Salem is located 6 hours from Pittsburgh, PA and Columbus, OH.  It is 2 1/2 hours from Raleigh, NC and 5 1/2 hours from Washington, D.C.

The third location for 2005 is Allentown, Pennsylvania that provides unique dormatory accomidations that far exceed the rates of hotels and resorts and also provide up to 65 beds in one central dormatory.  This dormatory will consist of 50+ single bunks.  Allentown is located 2 hours from Washington, D.C., 2 hours from New York City and 7 hours from Columbus, OH.  Currently, the Allentown location has been removed from bid due to a vacancy issue, however very possible as a 2005 location.

The Captains Club is scheduled to vote on the 2004 location in mid-September.  Carl Spackler has visited the Deep Creek area recently and plans a trip to Winston-Salem in the next few weeks.  He also plans to make a return trip to the Deep Creek area in about a month.

The tournament course will be announced in early October and letters of intent will be mailed in mid-November.  The tournament field will be published in early January.