May 5, 2009

CHARLOTTE, NC — Mark Palmer is just another Information Technology guy, but this one has a patented snap hook off the tee. He entered his rookie Virtual Tournament last November as a +17.2 stroke handicap. He recently played a round of golf at Carolina Lakes Golf Club under the close eye of senior member Chris Milam and left the course setting a Spackler record.

Palmer broke the 3-year old record of 102 points within 18 holes set by Matt Davis in September 16, 2007.

"I just kind of had it working," said Palmer, who claimed his round was a freek circumstance. "I really hit some quality shots and put the ball into good spots."

Partner and senior member Chris Milam said, "I have no idea who this guy was that I was playing with on Saturday. It was definitely not Mark Palmer."

Prior to the round, Mark Palmer had racked up 1 birdie over 6 rounds. He also averaged 2.83 pars per round and 6.00 bogeys per round over 6 rounds dating back to late-January 2009.

The rookie opened routinely with bogey, double-bogey, and another bogey at the 3rd hole. He carded his first 9-point birdie at the 163-yard 4th hole.

"My drive at the 4th hole was deep, which left a very quick downhill chip that would surely roll off the green," says Palmer. "Fortunately my ball hit the pin."

He moved through the front nine carding 2 more pars and 3 bogeys. The 7-over 43 front nine was strong, but not recording breaking.

"This guy was on fire on Saturday," said Milam. "On a particular par 3, I stuck it to about 10 feet. He proceeds to chip in from the fringe. Milam = Par, Palmer = Birdie. Even my trick shots were not working. I banked my tee shot off of a rock shelf behind another par 3 green. It bounces luckly up and then on the fringe. Palmer sticks it to 2 feet. Same result, Milam = Par, Palmer = Birdie.  WTF? I was feeling pretty saucy with my 92 on a tough new course. He kicked my butt by 12 shots."

Partner Milam and Palmer moved over to the 10th hole. "The first 5 holes of the back were a blur," says Palmer. "The next thing I knew I was even par on the back through 5 holes and the pressure was building."

He arrived to the 18th hole more nervous than ever. "Deep breath.  Practice swing.  Approach the ball," said Palmer as he described the moment. "That slight draw was there again, this time pushing the shot dangerously close to an overhanging tree on the left side of the fairway.  I clipped a branch and my ball was pushed just left of the cart path and onto a bed of mulch with a spattering of trees obscuring my view to the green.  After a fortunate punch out and nice touch on a 60-yard approach, I was left 15 feet for par... to record an even 36 on the back and my first sub-80 round ever.  After carefully reading every inch of the green and picking my line I let it roll... perfect line... 8 inches short.  As they say... so close, yet so far away. I missed the putt."

Mark scored 3 bogeys, 4 pars, and 2 birdies during the back nine worth an amazing 47 points. The 1-over 37 was a career-low for strokes. It was 8 strokes lower than his all-time 20-year golf hobby.

"This particular rookie looks pretty strong," says Scott Miller of Parkersburg, WV. "Someone needs to tell Mr. Palmer that reverse sandbagging comes with the Carl Spackler Outfit."

Mark carded triple this birdie average, more than doubled his par average, and bettered his bogey average; all in the same round.

Palmer was asked to provide some advice on what causes rounds like this to occur. He said, "I recommend a pre-golf diet that includes no breakfast, a super-sized Slim Jim for lunch, and 5 beers before the 18th hole."

The 2009 Virtual Tournament is underway with hundreds of scorecards being entered in short periods of time. Mark Palmer has bounced up the Leaderboard into 2nd position with 64.9 points per round.