June 19, 2006

CLAYTON, NC — How does one grade a hacker? If you are Spauding, you need to tear up the course with massive divots while advancing the ball a couple of yards. If your handicap is less than 4, you just needed to follow Marty Zabonik around the golf course during Round 1 play.

"Simply the worst display of top of the line golf Spackler has ever seen," said playing partner Bill Bateson. "How does someone get the case of the shanks during major championship play?"

Nobody was more surprised than Marty Zabonik after a debacle that included garbage shots and trashy scores. "How could anyone justify a complaint after Round 1 when Zabonik opened the 2006 Carl Spackler Open Championship with bogey golf; his worst round in 5 years. I was so embarrassed that I considered going home with a bag over my head on Thursday night."

Zabonik followed up his opening round with a sub-par Round 2. He finally got things going late in the week shooting 3-over par, however too much too late.

"Can anyone figure out the shanks? It came and went, but it was too late, said Zabonik."

Zabonik continues his slump in major championships with his 2005 high at Mountain Valley and previous worst scorecard in the past 5 years at Thunder Hill. Now the worst scorecard in 5 years at the Neuse.

"The keg stand on the bus was a good move," said Jason Ridgeway. "The keg stand prior to Round 1 was probably the right move."

Zabonik finished in a tie for 26th place.