January 11, 2010

PARKERSBURG, WV — Scott Miller, the 6-time senior member, announced last week his desire in January to participate in his fifth consecutive Open Championship. He signs as the first player to represent the state of West Virginia and 12th player overall.

The very surprising 10th ranked player in Spackler history, Miller, has committed to the 2010 Carl Spackler Open Championship, slated for April 16 in Laguna Vista, TX.

"There has been two mistakes in my life," says Miller in a written statement. "The first was my absence in Williamsburg. The second was at Tanglewood Park. There will not be a third strike."

Scott, a.k.a. Miller Time, registered last week after purchasing airline tickets through Houston for $74 + tax. "My wife delivered a month early," says Miller of his registration. "The early scheduled birth cleared a path to Texas."

Miller finished in 5th position in Michigan and 26th position in Indiana. Scott experienced some collateral damage in Virginia when he could not break the Top 40. "My career performance is on its way," says Miller of his decision to participate in Texas. "This is the year of the Mountaineer. This one is for Morgantown and the state of West Virginia."

Jean Dore was asked to comment about Miller's decision to attend. Instead, he provided a story. Dore said, "A little story about Scott Miller. It is a story that gives everyone a glimpse into his capabilities.

He was a member of my scramble team at Mountain Valley back in 2005. I played from the gold tees, however Scott played from the white tees as he is a hacker. Or at least I thought so. There was a delay in the 8th fairway so Slick and I teed off and rode up to see what was going on. Without thought, I parked the cart in the middle of the fairway about 240 yards from the white tee.

The slow play eventually played their 2nd shots to the par 5. Slick and I both looked back at Miller and Jim Campbell on the tee box. I asked Slick, "Are you going to move the cart?" Slick answered with a question, "Do not think there is a safer place than the middle of the fairway?"

Miller teed up and hit a ball clearly over the trees to our right. I first thought, "that is sooooo gone", but then the ball turned on a sharp slice as it came closer and closer and closer. About 2 seconds from impact, Slick yells, "run". The ball bounced off the steel bar that connected the roof to the cart and rocketed down the fairway.

Let me just say we were 177 yards from the hole for double-eagle. We were in the middle of the fairway with a 350-yard drive. The ball bounced off the steel like concrete. Miller is the man off the tee."

Jean rounded out his comments with a bold prediction, "Miller placed 5th in Michigan. He is the 10th best player ever. If that is not impressing everyone, they should consider his physique. He is my pick to win the 10th installment of the Carl Spackler Open Championship."

The 2010 Carl Spackler Open Championship is scheduled for April 15. Golfers must sign by the March 15 registration deadline.