June 23, 2019

KALAMAZOO, MI — 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 July, the tournament will rely heavily on the wireless Internet connection that ties directly into the mammoth tournament database. Roughly 360 scorecards will be entered into the system and 6,480 scores plus long putts will be organized, sorted, and reported in seconds.

The Carl Spackler Open will host its seventh 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.

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

"This scoring system in 2012 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."

Angels Crossing Golf Club and hotels all have high-speed wireless connections," says Garrett. "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 Angels Crossing Golf Club information.

"Scoring the tournament requires access to do so," says Brian Long. "Scorers need little patience at first, access rights, desire, smart phone, and charged battery. We have granted access to 75% of our tournament field. Rookies to scoring can contact me or Greg Long in Michigan for access."

Pairing, Starting Times & Information Sheets were printed in the evenings on the Spackler laser printer, folded by a team, and distributed each day of play from 2004 to 2011. Some were printed in 2012 and 2013, but officially retired in 2014.

Fans of the Carl Spackler Open can click "refresh" 60 times per hour during play as the Leaderboard shuffles every 20 seconds.

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

The 2019 Carl Spackler Open begins with its annual practice round on July 9 at 10:00am EST. There are 90 golfers expected to attend the 19th annual golf party.