August 16, 2007

CUMBERLAND, MD — The Carl Spackler Open passes another milestone. An astonishing 5,000 scorecards in 4 years. Jeff Miller and Scott Zavinski made the official announcement regarding the 5,000th scorecard, which was posted a couple of weeks ago by Bill Bateson.

"It is easy to believe when your out of work and play 100 times per year," says Scott Zavinski. "However, when you consider just 9 guys started this thing in 2001, provided a functioning website in early 2003, and now 5,000 scorecards. That is incredible."

Scott Zavinski joined the group back in September 2004 and is personally responsible for 311 scorecards. "The man is responsible for 6.2 percent of all Carl Spackler Open scorecards and only has been around 3 years," said fellow member Jeff Miller of Columbus, OH. "That is a pretty large statement in itself."

Joe Butkus passed Greg Long in July with the second most rounds. Butkus, a.k.a. Smootchie Ass, has posted 242 scorecards in just 3 years. Greg Long is third with 237 scorecards. Marty Zabonik has posted 152 and Jason Ridgeway rounds out the Top 5 with 114 posted scorecards.

Bill Bateson, who posted the 5,000th scorecard, recorded 62 points at Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club on July 24. "Do I win something," says Bateson with huge bug eyes. "I probably do not deserve anything after that round killing triple bogey on the final hole, but how about some Ohio State football tickets."

Joe Butkus from Virgina is presently the most active member posting 54 scorecards in the past 9 months. The website is forecasting 10,000 scorecards by the summer of 2010.

The 5,000 scorecards does not surprise senior member Jeff Miller. "This kinda thing is expected," says Miller. "I have been filling out scorecards for years and throwing them in the garbage can. This website has given a purpose to scorecards and also keeps everyone in touch throughout the year."

The CarlSpacklerOpen.com website started collecting scorecards in the summer of 2003. It was handed over to a new Poststats.com system two years ago with a plan to broaden the golf trip services. Poststats.com is reportedly 30 percent complete with Version 4, which should be ready for release sometime next year.

The largest influx scorecard postings surrounded May 25 and July 4 back in 2005. The website received 80 scorecards in two weeks surrounding those days. "It sounds like everyone was playing golf that week," said Jeff Miller of the statistic. "There was a lot of excitement around Mountain Valley and that has a role in the influx."

There is about 2 weeks remaining in the peak golf season. The football world will step in around Labor Day Weekend and golf rounds will drop like the recent stock market. There are 4 1/2 months left in the season-long tournament.