February 7, 2005

MAHANOY CITY, PA — The "Red Tees Sweepstakes" is a system devised to promote player strategy each day and help tighten the Tournament Leaderboard.  The annual Red Tee Lottery was moved online in 2005 and began on January 21.  So far 16 holes remain with nearly half the field selecting their "Red Tee Hole".

"We are driving organization into our prestigious tournament," says Mike Davis, Director of Contests.  "We have inserted our Red Tee Lottery into the online preferences in hopes to eliminate coordination at the golf course.  It also promotes strategy and conversation leading into Round 1."

Each day of the tournament, each player is permitted to play one designated hole from the Women Tees or Red Tees.  Each hole on Thursday is determined by Lottery, Friday is determined by hole computer rankings, and Saturday is determined by player draft.

Based on 68 players, the Captains Club divided 17 holes equally to allow 4 golfers per hole.  The 18th hole or Oak #9 having the largest advantage was eliminated from the lottery.  Each player will select a hole and picks are displayed under "Red Tee" link above.

Friday's Red Tee Sweepstakes will be distributed based on Red Tee Rankings and position on the Leaderboard after Round 1.  Specific Red Tees will be distributed starting with last place receiving the best option and moving upward.  The Top 4 players on the Leaderboard will receive the worst Red Tee option on the golf course.  This tightens up the Leaderboard.

Red Tees will be drafted on Saturday morning as players arrive to the tee box.  Each player (pairings are based on reverse Leaderboard order) will select a hole based on personal preference.  The player in last place (Cervick Outfit) will arrive to the tee box first and have first choice.  The Tournament Leader will receive the only hole left.  Only four players may draft a particular hole before a particular hole becomes unavailable for draft.

The 2005 Carl Spackler Open begins on June 9 at Mountain Valley Golf Course. A mandatory player meeting is scheduled for 10:30AM to discuss the tournament.  A record 62 players have signed for the prestigious tournament.