April 15, 2005

MAHANOY CITY, PA — The Captains Club held it's weekly press conference on Thursday and announced the prizes and awards scheduled for the 2005 Major Championship.  Brian Flanagan stepped up to the podium to deliver the prepared statement.

"First, I am glad to be attending yet another Spackler and looking forward to seeing everyone once again.  We cannot believe we finally got photographs from Chris Hays so we are publishing it for this release."  

Flanagan then turned to his written statement for guidence.  "The Captains Club has full intentions of returning all awards and prizes from 2004 including Closest to the Pin, Skills Challenge, Casino, Tournament Purse, Horses Ass Trophy, 4-Man Scramble, Golden Jacket, Carl Spackler Outfit, Cervick Outfit, Kitchen Pass Award, Most Long Putts (Stroke), Least Long Putts (Dooty), Best Putter Ever (Golden Rod), Worst Putter Ever (Rusty Rod), Best Player Ever (Webb), and Worst Player Ever (Crapper)."

"To help ensure integrity of the handicapped tournament, we will not increase the purse for this national championship, but updated it.  We have adjusted it to $324, cost of the tournament."

Flanagan took a deep breathe and a drink of water.  "We are returning the Red Tee Lottery and Draft in a more efficient online format and have inserted three new contests for this year.  The contests being daily closest to the pin and long drive contests on the golf course.  This is in addition to the closest to the pin contest on the range.  There will also be one long putt contest on Pine #9 each day.  That's it.  Are there any questions?"

A lone reporter immediately raised his hand and asked, "What do you guys value the most?"  Flanagan repied, "As far as awards or prizes?  Well, these are my comments and not necessarily the thoughts of the Captains Club.  I really want the event to succeed and money will give it the respect it requires. Too much money can only make some guys greedy, so we keep the purse low.  The Horses Ass Trophy shows the funny side of the players, but the purse and jacket is what makes things competitive. The winner will not just win a free vacation, but play three consecutive rounds of individual best golf, an experience of a lifetime, and a guaranteed kitchen pass for 2006 if the purse is spent correctly."

The winner of the 54-hole tournament will not just win the cash, but the prestigous Golden Jacket and Trophy.  The Casino Contest will increase from $100 to $150.

Each year, a training aid will be inserted into the awards presentation.  In 2004, a set of "Pro-Aim Glasses" were given to Rick Dosky as the worst putter in Spackler History.  He retains the glasses until he relinquishes the position of "worst putter".  In 2005, the "Inside Approach" will be given out to the worst slice in the tournament.  That player will retain the device until 2006.

The Open Championship is scheduled to kick off in just 54 days near Barnesville, PA. There are never any favorites to win with handicaps, but 68 players will have a chance at the glory.