December 8, 2004

SOUTHERN SHORES, 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. Lashley has not struck the ball since July 5 and narrowly escaped last place in the 2004 On Tour Championship.

"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 attend two Opens in a row. It means I'm back and ready for 2005."

With Lashley, the Spackler Open ensures North Carolina will return to represent the field of players. Lashley fired 49 points in the final round of the 2004 Open to take his first Spackler Top 10 placing 7th.  He also won the On Tour Championship back in 2002.

"When I look back to Williamsburg, sure I gave the tournament away with my putting, but the way I roared back in 2004, I should scare most of the field," Lashley said. "I am not the Macho Stallion for nothing.  Nobody bothers to notice that shooting 81-over par is better than most. All in all this 2005 major championship gives me the opportunity to bring home glory to state of North Carolina."

Lashley becomes the 7th player to sign for the 2005 Open Championship.  The field of players already covers Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.  The players will head to Pottsville in 182 days.