POWELL, OH — Ray Flanagan, the winner of the 2009 Dooty Award, signed a letter of intent to participate in his 3rd straight major championship. He registered for the event after purchasing a highly desired $99 one-way airline ticket from Columbus, OH to Harlingen, TX.

"I am not about to skip a tournament that has made me famous," said Ray from Chubby's Sports Bar in Worthington, OH. "I cannot explain in words how excited I am about Texas."

Flanagan, a.k.a. Stingray, is set to accompany 14 other participants to Columbus International Airport for their 2:20PM flight to Houston, TX. The large group of 15 will join 3 more participants in Houston for the leg into Harlingen, TX.

Stingray has been struggling for years with his putting stroke. "Ray has always struggled on those greens," says son Brian Flanagan. "The inability to drop putts came to a head last year when he took home the Dooty Award. He tied rookie Justin Gorby with 5 long putts over 54 holes, but then lost in a putting playoff from 2 1/2 feet."

The 2010 Carl Spackler Open Championship begins in 47 days. Ray Flanagan signs as the 29th participant with 48 to 60 participants expected to make the trip to Laguna Vista, Texas.