March 30, 2017

BARNESVILLE, PA — The Captains Club announced Thursday the plans for the traditional 4-man Scramble during the 2017 Carl Spackler Open. The optional event will be played on Friday afternoon teeing in eightsomes.

The event will take place at the tournament course, Mountain Valley, for several reasons including price, control of format, lack of transportation time, course quality, lack of bag transportation, and beverage prices.

The scramble will tee in eightsomes and two four-man teams per hole. The teeing format is unknown until a full roster is known.

The tee will play from roughly 6,500 yards. Chris Milam was asked about whether a ceremony would be held at the 12th hole where he obtained his hole-in-one. Greg Garrett replied, "What does that have anything to do with the 4-man scramble? We will see about a plaque being added on the tee box, but don't hold your breath."

A local reporter asked about the "throw". Greg quickly replied, "Are you kidding? Of course that will return. That idea is legendary because it adds strategy, team camaraderie, and speeds up play."

A throw allows each participating golfer one chance to advance any best team shot by throwing it, tossing it, or rolling it. It is not a stroke, but an advancement of a team ball. A throw cannot be voided regardless of what happens to the ball.

"We hope our eightsome format continues to bring camaradrie throughout the evening," said Garrett. "The key will be pace of play as always."

The 4-man Scramble is expected to return with a point handicapping system, which equally matches teams regardless of size or skill.

"The handicap system will allow our single 3-man team to compete against our rare 5-man teams," said Jay Dilks. "This is a critical improvement with so many changes minutes before tee-off."

The handicap system does not consider long drivers and great putters, but does use golfer stroke handicap to establish target scores. "As an example, four Jason Ridgeway's are expected to shoot 19-under par," says Flanagan. "A team of four Rick Dosky's is expected to shoot 6-over par. The system converts these projected team handicaps to a set of usable points. It is not perfect, but it works pretty well."

The optional round will be offered inside the participant options. The second round will cost each participant $15.00. The activity is scheduled for a 1:00PM EST start.

Dan Hagg asked, "Mountain Valley has 36 holes. Which course will be played?" Greg Garrett replied, "Valley. We will be playing both courses twice if you participate in the 54-hole tournament and 18 hole scramble. The course will be closed to the public all day and night. We have no external worries about pace of play, format of play, and do not need strict tee times."

The 2017 Carl Spackler Open is scheduled for July 12 in Barnesville, PA. The 4-man Scramble will be played shortly after Round 2 is completed. A deck party will be held after the 4-man Scramble.