December 22, 2004

POWELL, OH — The Captain?s Club ensured a bright future for the Carl Spackler Open today after a Bill Bateson national letter of intent was received. As a rookie, this guy made an impact that could not be ignored.  He took a year off and plans to be the 3rd player in history to return to Spackler after missing a major championship.

Bateson passed on the 2004 Championship after scheduling conflicts with a Las Vegas Trip.

Bill, a close friend of Chairman Greg Long, has decided that focus is essential to a major championship. "I am extremely excited about this year's tournament and nobody will beat me on my watch," Bateson said. Slick had nothing but great news. "Bill has a list of national tournament experience after attending Golfapalooza in September," said Long. "The experience speaks volumes about his ability to obtain kitchen passes at will and I am looking forward to his return. This is great for the Open Championship and the phenomenal field of golfers."

Bateson placed 5th in his first Open Championship.  "The thing I've been most pleased in 2003 is the way I've handled the pressure when I've been in the thick of things," Bateson said. "When you play golf with players at the top of their game, it demands focus and always your best game.  It is war out there.  They want to kick my butt as much as I want to kick theirs."

The 2005 Carl Spackler Open begins on June 9.  Players have until January 3 to sign.