December 31, 2003

ROCKY MOUNT, NC — Let the rejoicing begin as Chris Lashley returns to form in the wonderfully entertaining and smartly done Carl Spackler Open.  Let us bow our heads and give thanks that Chris Lashley decided to officially swing the club again.  The Grinch who stole more than Christmas last year when he decided not to sign has decided to return in the attempt to strike gold by winning the coveted jacket.

"I preparing to win and that is the only thing I will be thinking of", Lashley said. "I just want to prove to everybody out there that I can putt and hopefully win it all by the end of the season. It means I'm back and ready to go for both the On Tour Championship and the Open Championship."

With Lashley, the Spackler Open ensures North Carolina will return to represent the field of players.  Lashley also becomes the second player in Carl Spackler history to attend an Open Championship and then to return.  Kevin Long, Jr. attended the inaugural event in 2001 before sitting out the 2002 Open.  Hevy returned last year in Ohio.

"When I look back to Williamsburg, sure I gave the tournament away with my putting, but the way I played that week, I should have been able to make 10 or 12 putts and still put a scare into the field," Lashley said. "That's how good I played. I think I made only two double-digit scores that weekend, but putted horribly. I was only 149-over par and I didn't make one putt.  I could have placed 3rd with only the field average in long putts. "It's hard not to say that it bothers me. My putting would bother anybody.  I do not know how a guy like Greg Norman could still persevere (after blowing a five-shot lead at the Masters).  "But, it's like my dad also said, if I'd double-bogeyed the first hole and made birdie at the last to get in the playoff, you wouldn't think a thing about it. All I know is that I am craving the big moment of being near the top on Saturday morning.  That gives me and my putter an opportunity to bring home glory to state of North Carolina."