June 20, 2011

BARNESVILLE, PA — On an extremely sunny day about one mile southwest of downtown Barnesville, PA was a rumble of thunder. This was no ordinary thunder, but golf thunder when Jay Dilks carded his lone double-bogey at the 1st hole. The double-bogey was nearly half the mistakes he would make as he took a commanding lead of the Carl Spackler Open in Round 1.

Dilks entered his 9th tournament averaging 8.0 pars, 6.6 bogeys, and 0.6 birdies per round. He completed the first round of the 54-hole golf tournament with 5 bogeys, 10 pars, and 2 birdies. "I am not someone who ever considers the possibility of manevering of the ball," said Dilks on Friday night. "It just seemed like the ball was going places it rarely does. That being straight."

Jay opened the 2011 Carl Spackler Open with a 5-over 77. The impressive round was the single round played under 80 strokes. The rare round in the 70's was good for 74 points and a 12-point lead over Dan Obendorfer and Justin Gorby.

Dilks returned for "moving day" and shot another impressive 11-over 83 worth 62 points. The Captains Club member basically grabbed first position early and never let alone else get close.

"I credit alcohol with keeping me grounded out there," said Dilks. "I kept enough beer in the blood stream to keep me grounded and focused."

Dilks finished the final round with a 34-over 250. He finished with 186 points.

"My putting was outstanding," said Dilks of his tournament. "Putting kept me in the game regardless of my irons and woods. I fell off a bit during the final round, but the first two rounds and putting kept me alive."

Dilks added, "For whatever reason, I never felt threatened by Justin Gorby.  He just didn't seem to have 'it'. I will tell you this, he is undoubtedly the best lag putter in the game."

Jay Dilks won the 2011 Carl Spackler Open, Golden Jacket, Golden Hat, Gold Medal, and Championship Trophy. He also took home a $300 credit to the 2012 Carl Spackler Open. He won the tournament by 7 points over Andy Hanks.

Dilks is the second player from Pennsylvania to win the golf tournament. He follows Steve Hoden, who won the tournament back in June 2004.