BARNESVILLE, PA — The Carl Spackler Open was originally designed as a 3-day 72-hole golf tournament. It added a practice round, 4th day, in April 2002 and converted 18 tournament holes into a 18-hole optional 4-man scramble in June 2003. It has since slowly moved from a 3-day event to a 4-day event in 8 years.

The traditional practice round is set for a 2:45PM shotgun start on Thursday, June 9, 2011. The Captains Club announced in early February that it had locked-in its lowest golf package rate in 11 years.

The Carl Spackler Open presents a $44 golf package, which includes Wednesday night lodging at the Comfort Inn, Thursday morning 18-hole practice round starting at 7:45AM, and breakfast.

"We are happy to present a ridiculously low golf package rate for 2011," says Captains Club member Mike Trojanowski. "The package rate includes tax, but also double occupancy. Breakfast includes waffles, eggs, sausage, fruit, etc. and 18 holes on Thursday morning includes range balls."

The "Spackler" regarded as one of the Tour's most successful events and most popular among the players, tournament organizers say they hope the possible extension to 108 holes will give the Carl Spackler Open even more stature in the world of amateur golf.

Trojanowski added, "We have been very pleased over the years at how our tournament has been received by the players and the fans. This is yet another step we are taking to further enhance the Carl Spackler Open Championship as one of the greatest golf tournaments in the world."

The $44 golf package will be available as part of the March participant option process.

The tournament, which has been played in Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Texas, South Carolina, and Indiana since its inception, annually attracts the strongest fields in America.

Over the years, the tournament has been won by many of the greatest names in golf including Brian Flanagan, Rick Dosky, Mike Trojanowski, and defending champion Jeremy Myers.

The 2011 Carl Spackler Open Championship will be held at Mountain Valley Golf Course in Barnesville, PA. There are 36 holes at Mountain Valley with 92 participants expected for the annual event.