January 23, 2005

POWELL, OH — Beginners have all the luck, especially if they're guys and especially when it comes to handicapped tournament golf.  Those were the comments from the Captains Club after receiving a commitment from Marc Long towards the 2005 Carl Spackler Open Championship.

"It doesn't matter if his swing coach is in his cart," says Jason Watson. "Something will happen and he will have a slight edge.  I have no specifics, but somehow he will score an eagle worth 25 points or something."

Long started playing golf in the late-summer of 2004 with aspirations of attending the  Open Championship near Pottsville, PA.

"I have no expectations other than the obvious," says Long.  "I do not want to wear an Outfit and I want to shoot less strokes than Lewis, Dosky, and Munksgard.  What else can a rookie ask for?"

Marc Long signs as the 7th player with the last name Long.  He signs as the 48th player overall and the 16th player from Ohio.  As the tournament field continues to grow, a record attendance is expected for a 5th year in a row.  A clubhouse deck party with live music is planned for Friday evening after the optional scramble.