May 17, 2004

WINSTON-SALEM, NC — It used to be honorable to be selected the Carl Spackler Tournament Honoree.  This year comes not only honor, but a focus that we have not seen in the history of this major championship.  A focus on alcohol.  Matt Davis, Vice President of Kitchen Pass Allocation, was selected as the tournament honoree, but that will not take away his passionate focus on his first Golden Jacket and plenty of "man pop".

"I came really close last year", said Davis.  "I need to start better this year and that could be all I need to win this thing."  Davis placed 3rd last year after a near all-time record 45 points in the Final Round.  Davis started sober and finished Round 1 with a disappointed 23 points.

"I have a greater focus this year with the golf course practically telling me to get hammered on the front nine", said Davis.  "To encourage coolers and beer onto the golf course is almost suicidal for anyone, but my game is tailored to being drunk."

Statistically speaking, the last two players to win the Carl Spackler Outfit were indeed wasted.  Jon Munksgard withdrew from last year's tournament on the 54th hole and Tom McCauley had the honor of wearing the outfit in Williamsburg after being plowed during the Final Round.

Davis is different and indeed focused this year with drinking.  He has helped in the procurement of 1,200 beers for the event and plays out the tournament in his dreams to ensure proper consumption takes place.  "I dream of getting to Tanglewood half lit and doing two shotguns on the range.  That definitely will help with the butterflies from having the Honoree Tee in front of a crowd of more than 50 people."

The question is whether Davis will practice getting hammered during the Practice Round, in which the tournament director says Matt plans to be in attendance.

The 2004 Carl Spackler Open is scheduled to begin play in 23 days with 47 players.  Recruitment efforts have several leads to returning the field size to 48 players.