January 10, 2014

MOUNT STERLING, KY — In today's modern, technologically advanced world, information is craved instantaneously. The masses thirst for stories the moment something breaks. What once took hours or even days to deliver the who, what, where and when of a story now requires just seconds to be transferred to media outlets.

Thanks to communication tools like the Internet, a simple click of the mouse is all anyone needs to receive a plethora of knowledge.

And the Carl Spackler Open is one of the rare golf trips in America using the information evolution.

In May, the tournament will rely heavily on the wireless Internet connection that ties directly into the mammoth tournament database. Roughly 250 scorecards will be entered into the system and 4,608 scores plus long putts will be organized, sorted, and reported in seconds.

The Carl Spackler Open will host its second golf tournament with live scoring. The 54-hole tournament plus practice round will be scored hole-by-hole using mobile phones.

"We have the equipment and the mobile website," says Captains Club member Brian Long. "The entire foursome will be scored with one single handheld device per foursome. Our simple mobile website knows each pairing, remembers the scorers every hole, and remembers the hole just played."

The mobile website will also link a real-time Leaderboard and address book for contacting any golfer in the tournament.

Chris Philipsen and Greg Garrett, Vice Presidents of Online Scoring, will handle the integrity of the tournament scoring and enter any scorecards without a handheld device.

"This scoring system was the largest enhancement to our event since beer was added to the event back in 2001," says Captains Club member Greg Garrett. "I am expecting the mobile scoring to be flawless this year and exceed expectations once again elevating this event to a place untouched by traditional golf events."

Old Silo Golf Club and hotel both have high-speed wireless connections," says Vice President of Scoring, Chris Philipsen. "That clearly makes things very flexible."

Besides recording the hole-by-hole scoring next month, the system will track multiple leaderboards, player scorecards, contest winners, daily skins, course vs field statistics, and long putt information. Those statistics are driven by player bios, individual and team handicaps, and Old Silo Club information.

"A roster of scoring volunteers will be collected this year within the participant options," says Philipsen. "Scorers need limited patience, access rights, desire, smart phone, and charged battery."

Pairing, Starting Times & Information Sheets will be printed in the evenings on the Spackler laser printer, folded by a team, and distributed each day of play on the bus with updated information.

"It is about time. I always knew there was a way to make tournaments automated," says member Mark Palmer. "These guys manage one hell of an event."

Matt Pritchard also recognizes the scoring technology. "I plan to be a fan this year and follow the Live Leaderboard," said Pritchard. "I will probably click "refresh" 60 times per hour on Wednesday and Thursday."

The Live Scoring is expected to provide Saturday pairings much earlier than in the past years. It is just a matter of double checking the information and setting the 16 pairings.

Chris Philipsen and Greg Garrett are expected to be in the first two pairings each day and scoring off the 18th green.

"What we see as players is nothing compared to what must be happening behind the scenes," says tournament organizer Mike Davis. "Everyone wants the scores and they want them quickly. Our tournament has exceeded expectations time and time again."

The 2014 Carl Spackler Open begins with its annual practice round on May 14 sometime between 12:00PM and 2:00PM EST. There are 48 to 64 golfers expected to attend the 14th annual event.