July 8, 2005

COLUMBUS, OH — The monthly Captains Club press conference in the newly decorated media center was called for tournament updates including discussion about June 2006.  Once again, Greg Long, took the microphone.

"Thank you everyone for attending today," says Long. "I have a lot of information to cover before heading off to Michigan.  So if possible, please hold the questions until I am done.  Thank you."

Greg pulled his folders for discussion.  "I would like to discuss our 2006 venue.  We have plenty of opportunities this summer to investigate, but also many issues to explore.  The first issue is how to exceed expectations after Mountain Valley without raising the price.  The second issue is an estimated 90 golfers and lodging arrangements for them.  Mountain Valley was a great trip and our "wheat hats" probably have high expectations for June.  It will be challenging for us, but we fully plan to find a place that continues on the trend of exceeding expectations.  The club is expecting additional growth of 32% by the signing deadline of January 1, 2006.  This vision of growth forces our team to engage two hotels that are located very closely to each other.  Two hotels that we intend to completely book solid."

Long took a second to guzzle some of his beer before picking his nose and continuing with his prepared statement.

"We have several locations being considered today.  We have received lots of great ideas and opportunities.  I will start with venues removed from contention.  Greystone and Timbers of Troy near Baltimore, MD were removed due to overall tournament price.  In addition, The Links Grand Victoria Casino was eliminiated in Indiana near Cincinnati.  Lastly, Eagle Crest Resort near Detroit was removed due to availability and Fox Hills near Ann Arbor was removed due to overall tournament price."

Matt Davis, the smartest person on the planet, took a minute to offer a press conference man pop chug with reporters.  Then returned to his seat.

Long continued, "We have four states that we are considering including West Virginia, Michigan, Kentucky, and New York.  Eastern Tennessee is still on the bubble.

The first state, Michigan, and golf course, The Legacy, will be visited starting tomorrow morning by members of the Captains Club.  In fact, I am one of those people and looking forward to it.  The Legacy is located 10 minutes from Toledo, OH in southeastern Michigan.  Although, the course is located extremely close to Ohio, there is plenty of entertainment and lodging in the state of Michigan.  The golf course has a wide open feel and includes a true island green on Hole #8.  The lodging arrangements are located on the property and would include 11 or 12 outdoor hot tubs.  Entertainment options to be visited include bars around the University of Toledo, Toledo Mud Hens Outfield picnic, the Michigan Tavern, and Greek Town Casino in Detroit.

The second state, New York, will be visited next weekend.  That being July 16 by additional members of the Captains Club.  Those courses will include the brand new Arrowhead Golf Club and The Links at Ivy Ridge near Buffalo, NY.  My peer, Michael Trojanowski, tells me the Arrowhead "greens are like glass" and the "heather is penal". Personally, it sounds like a place to trim the fat from the field of players.  The Ivy is down the street and just opened 5 days ago.  Another links style course.  The Buffalo Airport is extremely close, which provides competitive hotels and basement bars.  Casino Niagara is located just across the Canadian border.  Marty Zabonik has agreed to hit a ball across the falls as part of the tournament itinerary if Buffalo is selected.  Greystone Golf Club is located in Rochester, NY and also provides ample value.

The third state, Kentucky, will be visited on August 5. That visit will include the top 2 courses in the state.  The best course, Old Silo, which was a finalist with Mountain Valley, will be visited once again.  I can tell you first hand that when the weather is good and bunkers are raked, the course is better than Pinehurst.  The hotels are both 1/8 mile from the golf course and the hospitality room seats 250 golfers comfortably.  Nearby Lexington is the home of Kentucky Ale Brewing, University of Kentucky, and Wild Turkey Plant.  The 2nd ranked course in the state is Lassing Pointe located 2 miles from Cincinnati Airport in Union, KY.  Another incredible design with super conditioning.  The venue provides ample lodging, Belterra Casino, Argosy Casino, Cincinnati Reds baseball, ranked night clubs, and a laundry list of entertainment.

The last state, West Virginia, hosts several options and will be visited in September.  The state has 5 possible venues including two courses in Morgantown.  Lake View Resort and Pines Country Club are very convienent to the University of West Virginia and plenty of basement bars with Spackler Open character.  Inside The Woods Resort in Charles Town, WV is the Mountain View course.  It is a great mountain design with horse race track and slots within a minute or so.  The Woods Resort resembles the central location to the majority of the field of players from 2005.  Canaan Valley is very secluded and makes Mountain Valley look like it is located in New York City.  It has a great opportunity for group activites, great value, and fun golf.  Lastly, the Oglebay Resort hosts two wonderful courses.  Both the Jones and Arnie Palmer courses are ranked 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest.  The girls in the sales office think Jay Dilks is very hot looking.  They are very impressed with the website.  A very large sports bar is right across the street from our lodging possibility.  Wheeling Downs is a 10 minute bus ride, where attendees can bet on dog races or play the slot machines.

That about does it.  Does anyone have any questions?"

A reporter in the back asked one question.  "Where do you get all of this information?"  Greg Long immediately replied, "Books, Internet, and Conversion.  Our club believes that every location and course in those locations have been realized.  Sometimes something slips through the cracks like new courses in Buffalo, but we try to stay on top of it."

Another reporter asked, "Why do you think Mountain Valley was successful?"  Long replied, "For one, significant player distractions were absent.  Second, good weather.  Third, an organized event steam rolls over minor administrative issues."

Long took one more question.  "Can you continue to exceed everyone's expectations year after year?"  Long thought for a moment. "Interesting question.  That is also a very important question.  Expectations come in 68 different shapes and sizes and cannot be controlled by an individual or small group of leaders.  For starters, it is impossible to exceed expectations with the same itinerary, same location, and same people.  A new crop of rookies, new location, and adjusted itinerary will ensure the unknown remains out there.  It is very important to remember that people involved drive the tournament success and that certainly includes the "wheat hats".  Our job is to lay the ground work.  It takes one person to prevent success regardless of venue or size.  The right people can be smiling ear-to-ear at a port-a-potty convention."

Long packed up his things and finished, "Thanks again for your questions and time.  I am off to Michigan in the morning.  Have good weekend and see you guys on August 4."