Notebook
Winning & Sandbagging
To some degree, the term "sandbagging" always finds its way into any handicapped event. "Sandbagging" by definition is proactively posting higher scores than real, to gain an advantage in a golf tournament. Participants who use the term sandbagging in casual conversation are implying factual knowledge that a fellow golfer is a cheater.
Sandbagging does not occur at the Carl Spackler Open, but prior to the event. A participant who accuses a golfer of sandbagging or circulates rumors of sandbagging is implying he watched or experienced cheating prior to the event and ignored it.
The Carl Spackler Open is not designed to reward a golfer who plays better than his statistical averages. It is designed to recognize a single golfer who has played better than everyone else who are all playing against their statistical averages. To win this event, a golfer would almost certainly post scores that are not believable to anyone including himself. THESE UNBELIEVABLE SCORES BY DEFINITION WILL RESEMBLE SANDBAGGING.
Dress Code
Golf shirts along with bermuda shorts. T-shirts, jogging apparel or denim of any kind is prohibited. Only soft spike golf shoes are allowed on the golf course, practice green, and driving range.
Packing List
The following is a list that you might want to bring along on the trip. These items will not be provided. 1. Shampoo 2. Golf Clubs 3. Cigars & Cigarettes 4. Sunglasses 5. Medical Tape, Bandaids, Sunscreen, Chapstick 6. Cash 7. Umbrella 8. Bug Spray or Absorbine Jr. 9. Golf Shoes (soft spikes) 10. Golf Clothes (the course requires proper golf attire. Please review dress code note) 11. Golf Gloves (extra for potential rain) 12. USB Charger 13. Phone Charging Cord 14. Golf Towels, plenty in case it is wet. 15. Golf Balls 16. Belt 17. Swimsuit. 18. GPS, GPS Watch, or Laser Yardage Finder 19. Powder or Boxer Briefs to guard against chaffing. 20. Weigh Travel Bag for 50lb Airport limit. 21. Carl Spackler Open baseball hats. 22. Music Speaker
Handicapping
The tournament handicapping uses Poststats Points.
GOLF COURSE HANDICAPPING The handicap system is based on posted scorecards to the website, USGA Slope Rating, and yardage played. The USGA Slope Rating is a number (between 55 and 155) given to each tee box in America by the USGA. The number represents the difficulty to the average bogey golfer. The average USGA Slope Rating in America is 115.
Poststats.com uses total yardage played and USGA Slope Rating to apply a "course bonus" to each tee box in America. These bonus points are used to level the course difficulty and handicap each golfer participating in the Carl Spackler Open. The course bonus is not used at the Carl Spackler Open since all participants are playing the same course.
Use of Golfer Scorecards Each golfer is required to post 4+ scorecards to participate in the Carl Spackler Open. The handicap system and computer will use the last 15 posted scorecards regardless of year to determine a golfer handicap. The handicap system will omit the best scorecard and four worst scorecards from the previous 15 posted scorecards. It will tally the average number of birdies, pars, bogeys, double-bogeys, and triple-bogeys for each golfer. (Eagles are converted to birdies.)
The "personal profile" for each golfer has a date field for health setbacks. This field is used for heart attacks, strokes, broken legs, surgeries, and anytime past scorecards are not a representation of a golfer's skill level. The computer does not use scorecards prior to the date entered.
TOURNAMENT LEADERBOARD DESIGN The handicap system is designed with quite a bit of detail. Ulitimately, the Tournament Leaderboard is designed for the Top 10 to consist of four A players, three B players, two C players, and one D player. A quick sorting of the event roster by stroke handicap and grouping golfers equally into 4 groups provides A, B, C, and D status.
TARGET POINTS BASICS The system is designed to set all golfer handicaps to reach 60 target points. Each participant is handicapped to score 60 points per round with their course bonus.
The handicap system is designed to address (1) probability of lower scores for hackers vs scratch golfers, (2) golfers who handicap at familiar golf courses, and (3) golfers with volatile scorecards from lack of play.
TARGET POINT BUMP - HACKERS VS SCRATCH GOLFERS The chances of one unknown high handicapped golfer (from a pool of 12+ high handicapped golfers) dropping 15% of their strokes per hole over a 54-hole period is 99% certain. The same is not true for scratch golfer. Target points for each golfer are raised as stroke handicap decreases. The lower the stroke handicap, the more target points a golfer will receive. Golfers with a stroke handicap of +8 to +11 receive an elevated target to 62 points per round. Participants with a handicap +6 to +8 strokes are bumped to 63 points per round. Handicaps of +6 strokes have target of 64 points and +5 strokes get 65 points. Golfers with a handicap of +2 are targeted at 65 points per round. A scratch golfer or negative stroke handicap receives a target of 67 points.
TARGET POINT BUMP - PLAY AT FAMILIAR GOLF COURSES In addition to golf skill, golfers who play the same course 70 percent of the time will be given an elevated target of 1 point. These "home course" participants will be given 2 points if they play the same course 90 percent of the time. Golfers statistically play worse when leaving their home course. The point upgrade allows the entire tournament field to handicapped equally and remove scoring based on extensive course knowledge.
TARGET POINT BUMP - SCORECARD VOLATILITY
Lack of play promotes volatile scoring. Frequent play lowers volatility. Golfers who post scorecards per year (365 days) will receive additional target points. Point targets will elevate by 1 point for every 4 scorecards posted with a maximum of 5 target points added.
SETTING HANDICAPS The computer sets handicaps for golfers within 5 seconds. For each golfer, the computer cross-check the database of 250 different "sets of points" and assign a set of points that matches a golfer target points. Each set of points available to computer are prioritized for ties.
The statisical handicapping detail for each golfer is fully available online. Golfers can visit the homepage and click "HANDICAPS" in the lower menu. Then click on their name.
Scoring
The Carl Spackler Open is scored on smartphones and live, however allows paper scorecard in rare circumstances.
Greg Garrett will be managing 7,000 scores. PLEASE CONSIDER HIM ON YOUR VACATION. Paper scorecards with Mike, Jay, or J.D. are the opposite of clarity. Do not chicken scratch or circle birdies.
Paper scorecards should have a clear unique name, 18 clearly written numbers, and circled scores to indicate holes with long putt made. Turn in both scorecards when totals are identical.
1. Comfort. Carry small cell phones in your pocket or find a traditional space in the golf cart.
2. Battery Charge. Come to the golf course with full charge.
3. Share. Multiple golfers in your foursome can share the job and cell phone batteries die.
4. Integrity. Do not score birdies to grab attention with plans to change it later. Long-term integrity is paramount.
Mobile Website
The Carl Spackler Open has an independent mobile website. m.poststats.com. This is the letter m followed by a dot. Then poststats dot com. The username and password are both case sensitive. Many phones auto capitalize the first letter when trying to enter a username. Be careful. BOOKMARK THIS WEBSITE ON YOUR PHONE. YOU WILL FORGET THE WEB ADDRESS.
The mobile website is simplified and used during the actual 108-hour Carl Spackler Open. It does not have pictures, participant options, finances, process, or news. It contains an address book, Leaderboards, rooming list, scoring, golf rules, notifications, pairings, tee of play, handicaps, tee times, and itinerary.
Pace of Play
A round of golf is often experienced with pace of play as a critical element. It can feel like a race ignoring golf rules and handing out gimmes. The professional tours have been unable to get twosomes with caddies to play golf in 4 hours, but a most golf courses ask large golf events with 80+ higher handicaps to be magicians.
With that said, skilled golfers should educate and lead by example. Everyone needs to enjoy their round, but allow low handicappers to help move things along.
Participants are given a maximum of 2 minutes to locate a ball. Playing partners who watch ball flight and work as a team to locate balls will achieve improved pace.
You never walk in front of someone playing golf, however it is unacceptable to wait several minutes for a playing partner to locate a ball or select a club just because he is further away. You can respectfully play your shot and improve pace.
A foursome must work together to keep a reasonable pace. Your foursome is playing slow if you cannot see the foursome in front of you. Pairings who cannot keep pace should simply take a break and allow the foursome behind you to play through.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott

The Fairfield Inn by Marriott is located 5 minutes northwest of downtown Washington, North Carolina and 8 minutes north of Cypress Landing Golf Course. The event fee includes 5 nights including breakfast. Wednesday night, Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday night. Each room requires a personal credit or debit card for incidentals.
The hotel features complimentary breakfast and WiFi, an indoor pool, fitness center, and outdoor patio. The hotel will host the Welcome Player Meeting in the breakfast area.
Breakfast will be available each morning starting at 6:15AM.
2090 West 5th Street, Washington, NC 27889
A full description is available on Carl Spackler Open TV Channel using YouTube. Episode 3 starting at 14:45.
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The Captains Club does not have a rolodex of golf courses that will close their doors to the public for four consecutive days. The Captains Club knowingly has decided to lodge its 2023 event 8 minutes from the golf course and 4 to 6 minutes from multiple bars.
The Captains Club proactively asked management about the sign in the lobby before deciding on Washington, North Carolina as the 2023 event location.
Management will not tolerate loud and obxious behaviors that belong inside a bar. There is no bar inside the hotel nor within reasonable walking distance. Hotel management has zero problem with drinking alcohol in its public areas as long as the first sentence is understood.
There is both Uber and a local businessman with a 15-seat passenger van in Washington, North Carolina.
Everyone should plan accordingly.
Cypress Landing Golf Course

Cypress Landing Golf Course, in Chocowinity, North Carolina, is a flat par-72 golf course, designed by Bill Love with Ault, Clark & Associates. It is located in Eastern North Carolina among homes, thousands of tall pines and lakes. There are 64 sand traps on 17 holes. There are 9 holes with water hazards.
Cypress Landing Golf Course is not a municipal golf course, but the overall service will feel identical to Pinon Hills in New Mexico.
The golf carts are expected to be staged in front of the clubhouse each day. They do not have USB ports or coolers. The clubhouse is on the smaller side. An adjacent cart garage will be used for heavy rain delays.
There will not be a beverage cart at Cypress Landing. The golf course is prepared to supply simple bags and some coolers for drinks. Cypress Landing has granted you permission to bring AN EMPTY personal cooler THAT FITS in the golf cart basket. DO NOT BRING PERSONAL BEVERAGES TO THE GOLF COURSE.
The clubhouse serves food, but will be circulating a daily lunch special from a table inside the clubhouse. The purpose will allow the golf course to elevate the service for 84 golfers.
Range balls will be distributed from the pro shop each day starting at 7:00am.
A full description is available on Carl Spackler Open TV Channel using YouTube. Episode 3 starting at 5:01.
Awards Dinner & Presentation
The Awards Dinner and Presentation will be held Sunday evening. It has been moved from the Washington Civic Center down the street to a banquet room inside King Chicken. A large portion dinner will be provided.
Dinner is Chicken, Prime Rib Roast, Pork Chops, Potato Salad, String Beans, Corn, Slaw, Chocolate Cake, Blueberry Cobbler, Peach Cobbler, and Banana Pudding.
King Chicken 601 Carolina Ave Washington, NC 27889
Player Meeting
The Welcome Player Meeting will be held on Wednesday night inside the Fairfield Inn & Suites breakfast area. Event gifts, purchased apparel, introductions, weather forecast, senior tees, pace of play, and other topics will be discussed. We will also be available to answer questions. Please arrange travel plans to arrive prior to 9:00pm EST.
Airports
Washington and Chocowinity, North Carolina is located 30, 45, and 120 minutes from 3 different airports.
Raleigh International Airport (RDU) in Raleigh, North Carolina is 2 hours. Many Airlines. Pitt-Greenville Regional Airport (PGV) in Greenville, North Carolina is 30 minutes. American Airlines. Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN) in New Bern, North Carolina is 45 minutes. American Airlines.
Washington Restaurants & Bars
The following are local pubs and restaurants. Everything except Blackwater Jacks and Boss Hogs BBQ are within 200 yards of each other. Most have outdoor seating. Blackwater Jacks and Market Street Pub are the two traditional bars or pubs in town.
Blackwater Jacks Tiki Bar (live music and food) 1052 E Main St, Washington, NC 27889 https://backwaterjackstikibar.com/
Market Street Pub (live music. No food) 143 N Market St, Washington, NC 27889
Mulberry House (roof top restaurant) 189 W Main St, Washington, NC 27889 https://themulberryhousenc.com
Pitt Street Brewing Company On the Pamlico On the Pamlico River. Bring your own food. 307 W Main St, Washington, NC 27889 https://www.facebook.com/PittStreetBrewingOTP/
Ribeyes Steakhouse (steaks and drinks) 228 W Stewart Pkwy, Washington, NC 27889 https://www.ribeyes.com/
Down on Main Street (food and drinks) 107 W Main St, Washington, NC 27889 https://downonmainstreetnc.net
Grub Brothers Eatery (food and drinks) 156 W Main St, Washington, NC 27889 https://grubbrotherseaterync.com
Boss Hogs BBQ (food) 1550 Carolina Ave, Washington, NC 27889 https://www.bosshogsnc.com
Roster Worksheet
The Roster Worksheet will be used to build the participant roster. It is an active list of past participants organized into a three-phase schedule.
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Telegram Messenger
Sending quick bulk text messages on occasion to everyone has become a critical function with 80+ golfers at the Carl Spackler Open. With that said, sending bulk text messages has also become expensive, restrictive, and viewed nationwide as one-way spam communication.
Text communications are two-way agreements with Poststats.com. We use a 3rd party cell phone app. This will manage both one-way texts, but also empower everyone to create group chats. This initiative continues to connect our Carl Spackler Open database to future one-way text messages. This will not be a replacement for email but used solely for a handful of text alerts each year.
This one-time action item takes 15 minutes of your time. There are both video instruction and written instruction for both Apple iPhone and Android cell phones. Your choice, but having video instruction on TV while holding your cell phone might be easiest.
The participant option process starting February 22 will begin to collect our progress towards this initiative.
Thank you.
YouTube Video. Search: Carl Spackler Open.
Written PDF Instruction. Android Users https://storage.poststats.com/cso/telegram-setup-android.pdf
Apple iPhone Users https://storage.poststats.com/cso/telegram-setup-iphone.pdf
Communications
COMMUNICATIONS The Carl Spackler Open uses multiple forms of communication. Our event is managed by volunteers that leverage technology everywhere possible. Volunteers do not make phone calls to 70 golfers or email individual golfers as a general practice. You will not be sent an individual reminder.
WEBSITE (FROM SPACKLER TO YOU) The CarlSpacklerOpen.com website is our portal for event information. This document steps you through our large overwhelming website. The NOTEBOOK inside CarlSpacklerOpen.com is a small library of Carl Spackler Open information. The event itinerary and My Finances page are good resources.
WEBSITE (FROM YOU TO SPACKLER) All participants communicate using both Poststats.com and CarlSpacklerOpen.com websites. Golfers (1) manage their golf profile on Poststats.com, (2) enter scorecards from golf played using Poststats.com, (3) register for each Carl Spackler Open, and (4) complete participant options as a paid accepted participant.
EMAIL We send bulk group emails to our golfers from time-to-time. Approximately once a month starting 9 months prior to each event. Your email server may or may not accept our emails. Your Poststats.com golf profile page has a ‘test icon’ next to your email address.
TEXT MESSAGE ALERTS & NOTIFICATIONS Bulk group texts are sent to cell phones from time-to-time. These occur more often during the actual event. Our event and website leverage the Telegram App. You must install and configure the Telegram App to obtain alerts and notifications. The website notebook provides easy YouTube Video AND written instruction. Your Poststats.com golf profile page has a ‘test icon’ next to your cell phone number.
YOUTUBE TV The Carl Spackler Open has its own YouTube Channel. Carl Spackler Open. Some people do not like to read. Videos are produced as a supplement to some written documentation.
MOBILE WEBSITE The Carl Spackler Open uses a 3rd website during the 108-hour event. It is built solely for event execution and designed for all models of smartphone. m.poststats.com
EMAILING US We would like to hear from you. You can reach us at carl.spackler.open@gmail.com.
Participant Option Schedule
The following participant option schedule is provided. Each period is published as part of the event itinerary.
FIRST SET (Available the final month of event registration.) A collection of single occupancy reservations, golf replay round reservations, and apparel purchases.
SECOND SET (Available the month following the event registration period.) A collection of playing partner and roommates to begin after a final roster is known. A transportation schedule is collected for expediting the hotel check-in process, promoting car pools, organizing airport pickups/drop offs, and to best schedule the Welcome Player Meeting.
THIRD SET (An abbreviated selection period approximately 3 weeks prior to event.) A collection of golf rule importance, beverage preference, and mobile scoring sign up. A collection of food preference can also be collected.
Rookie Introduction
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INTRODUCTION You have considered joining us. This thing called “Spackler” looks big. You could have reservations about joining 80+ strangers on an out-of-state vacation. Your friend or family member wants to share our event with you. He has sold you on a great 4-day experience.
This document was written for you. It outlines our event, the role of your referral, and provides you with real expectations and procedures. This document is not intended to sell the Carl Spackler Open. It is to give you a glimpse into Carl Spackler Open participation. First time participants are labeled rookies. The Carl Spackler Open was built from nearly 300 rookies over two decades. Rookies are essential to our future.
We understand everything about the Carl Spackler Open is brand new including our requirements and endless process. We are here for you as volunteers, but in turn expect everyone to understand volunteer time has been replaced with boring written process. Our vacations are very personable and designed for rookies to feel welcome and insert them into our social circle.
THE RIGHT FIT The Carl Spackler Open has approximately 100 active members. The event is not for everyone despite what you hear. The event is managed by volunteers that leverage technology everywhere possible. Nearly all event organization occurs on multiple websites, YouTube Videos, and written process.
There are very popular and very fun buddy golf trips with 4 and 8 golfers. The entire approach is intimate from start to finish, flexible, and includes zero process. The Carl Spackler Open is a large four-day golf vacation with zero paid staff. The Carl Spackler Open requires everyone to contribute, embrace written process, travel the country, and be prepared to meet dozens of fresh faces.
The Carl Spackler Open continues after 20 years for several reasons. It is unique for its low price, 4-day duration, and size. But it exists based on contribution. Preparations are not intended to be fun, but they are drawn out slowly in a stress-free environment.
The Carl Spackler Open is not a race to play golf in 3 ½ hours, fluffing the golf ball, and with gimmies inside a putter length. Please do not participate if your referral has not conveyed the Carl Spackler Open is played using basic golf rules.
Our event is not for everyone despite what you hear. It is designed for men who: (1) follow basic direction from volunteers (2) like being around lots of people (3) can commit to travel 4 months in advance (4) accept alcohol consumption by others (5) read email and event registration (6) embrace and follow 5 basic golf rules (7) like to golf, post scores, and shoot less than 120 strokes on difficult golf courses (8) accept direction from their referral no matter the circumstance (9) can interact with multiple websites (10) use a smartphone
There are additional expectations to consider. (1) The fastest round in Carl Spackler Open tournament history is 5 hours. (2) A handful of basic golf rules are published. They must be understood and followed. (3) Potential rookies can begin to post scores whenever he desires. It is never to early to start. (4) Rookies cannot participate without 4+ scorecards posted prior to the event. The computer will use the last 15 scorecards posted for handicapping. (5) The Carl Spackler Open organizes single room occupancy at hotels, however the standard setup involves double occupancy. Rookies are roomed at hotel with their top preference.
A 15-minute YouTube video was created for both referrals and rookies. It is a supplement to this document. Search Carl Spackler Open. Look for Rookies & Referrals Edition.
Rookie Orientation 1 of 2 - Step by Step
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ORIENTATION SUMMARY This rookie document will organize the requirements, action items, and general preparations surrounding the Carl Spackler Open. It will provide some instruction. A smaller second orientation document will be provided a few weeks prior to the event. It will provide a glimpse into the 108-hour event.
ROSTER SPACE The demand to participate in the Carl Spackler Open can surpass physical space for people. There is a process that dictates step-by-step when registrants are accepted, which is based on contribution and engagement. A Roster Acceptance document is published inside both event registration and notebook. This rookie document replaces that roster acceptance document for rookies.
A published Roster Worksheet for each event dictates the schedule and order in which registrants are accepted to the roster. It is also published inside both event registration and notebook. Past participants who register have priority to most roster space.
Rookies are accepted at the end of the registration period when roster space is available. With that said, the event sets aside some prioritized roster space for rookies. The Captains Club (our board of directors) decides whether to fill those limited spaces each year. Contributing to the processes outlined can increase prioritized selection.
ROLE OF YOUR REFERRAL Your referral should not be dumping this document on you. He is responsible for getting you acclimated into the Carl Spackler Open.
Everyone who participates in our event is required to have someone they trust. Everyone must ultimately follow direction from someone they trust no matter the circumstance.
Referrals almost always share a hotel room with their rookie. Referrals who bring multiple rookies should be aware that double occupancy is the normal hotel room structure.
Referrals who nominate a rookie are considered for prioritized acceptance. Referrals can sell their rookie as a great fit to any member of the Captains Club by telephone, email, or in-person.
COMMUNICATIONS The Carl Spackler Open uses multiple forms of communication. As indicated, the event is managed by volunteers that leverage technology everywhere possible. We do not make phone calls to 70 golfers or email individual golfers as a general practice. You will not be sent an individual reminder.
WEBSITE (FROM SPACKLER TO YOU) The CarlSpacklerOpen.com website is our portal for event information. This document steps you through our large overwhelming website. The NOTEBOOK inside CarlSpacklerOpen.com is a small library of Carl Spackler Open information. The event itinerary and My Finances page are good resources.
WEBSITE (FROM YOU TO SPACKLER) All participants communicate using both Poststats.com and CarlSpacklerOpen.com websites. Golfers (1) manage their golf profile on Poststats.com, (2) enter scorecards from golf played using Poststats.com, (3) register for each Carl Spackler Open, and (4) complete participant options as a paid accepted participant.
EMAIL We send bulk group emails to our golfers from time-to-time. Approximately once a month starting 9 months prior to each event. Your email server may or may not accept our emails. Your Poststats.com golf profile page has a ‘test icon’ next to your email address.
TEXT MESSAGE ALERTS & NOTIFICATIONS Bulk group texts are sent to cell phones from time-to-time. These occur more often during the actual event. Our event and website leverage the Telegram App. You must install and configure the Telegram App to obtain alerts and notifications. The website notebook provides easy YouTube Video AND written instruction. Your Poststats.com golf profile page has a ‘test icon’ next to your cell phone number.
YOUTUBE TV The Carl Spackler Open has its own YouTube Channel. Carl Spackler Open. Some people do not like to read. Videos are produced as a supplement to some written documentation.
MOBILE WEBSITE The Carl Spackler Open uses a 3rd website during the 108-hour event. It is built solely for event execution and designed for all models of smartphone. This mobile website will be introduced later, but a critical component to communication.
EMAILING US We would like to hear from you. You can reach us at carl.spackler.open@gmail.com.
READY TO GET STARTED? The last segment of rookie orientation is recommended for potential rookies ready for action. This is the final segment to rookie orientation. This section is written for potential rookies who want to proceed from ‘general interest’ into ‘action’. It explains what to do.
GETTING STARTED The following checklist is provided to rookies and their referrals. The list is not prioritized, but in sequential order. Rookies and their referrals can decide which items to review and complete. (1) Watch YouTube Video. “Rookie & Referral Edition: Carl Spackler Open” (2) Watch YouTube Video. “Multiple Websites Edition. Carl Spackler Open vs Poststats” (3) Create an account with Poststats.com. (4) Upload uniform profile photo of yourself. (5) Enter scorecards as you play golf. (6) Review our basic golf rules. Understanding them is required. (7) Read email. Visit CarlSpacklerOpen.com website to stay informed. (8) Register for Carl Spackler Open when registration period is open. Pay Deposit. Referrals choice to further nominate.
WEBSITE ENGAGEMENT The websites used were created by volunteers. Both are older than invention of smartphone itself. Most of the software could work on your smartphone, but neither were designed for smartphones. Our websites were designed for a personal computer. It is highly recommended that you watch YouTube Video. “Multiple Websites Edition. Carl Spackler Open vs Poststats”.

Poststats.com or golf.poststats.com This website solely manages thousands of golfer accounts (yours too) and local scorecards posted for handicapping. It also manages data for thousands of golf courses for your posted scorecards. carlspackleropen.com
This website manages the Carl Spackler Open series of events. Visualize at least 20 independent Carl Spackler Open websites. One website for each event held. Each website includes tournament scorecards, financials, participants, apparel orders, tee times, schedule, pairings, lodging arrangements, and everything associated with an actual Carl Spackler Open.
Important concepts. (1) Rookies create a single account on Poststats.com. This is a one-time activity. (2) The rookie uses that single account to register for each Carl Spackler Open they desire to participate in. (3) Being included in the 2016 event and being listed on the 2016 website does not make you a participant of 2023 or 2028. (4) Posting scorecards for handicapping and managing your golfer profile occurs on Poststats.com. (5) The Carl Spackler Open website pulls in those golfer profiles and handicap data from Poststats.com.
CARL SPACKLER OPEN REGISTRATION Every single person must register to participate at each Carl Spackler Open during the registration period. Registering for a Carl Spackler Open is free and declaring a desire to participate. The Captains Club (board of directors) accepts registrations creating a two-way agreement. The registration period is published as part of the website itinerary. Registration provides you specific event information, processes, and rules. Participation at one event does not guarantee another. Visit carlspackleropen.com.
MONEY BANKING The Carl Spackler Open collects upwards of $50,000 for each event. All funds are stored in a Carl Spackler Open bank account managed by the non-profit Carl Spackler Open, LLC. There are multiple account holders, but Rick Dosky is our Chief Financial Officer. He collects and deposits your money and pays most of the expenses. rickdosky@gmail.com
MY FINANCES The Carl Spackler Open publishes all funds collected. Everyone can see their payments, credits, and outstanding balance on the website. It is your responsibility to ensure money sent was also received. Assume your money was never received unless it is posted to the website.
DEPOSITS The Carl Spackler Open collects $150 deposits. Deposits are used solely to elevate a desire to participate. There has never been a single participant in 20+ years without a deposit.
All funds are always 100% fully refundable for anyone not accepted as a participant. Deposits for accepted participants are non-refundable and non-transferrable starting 5 months prior to each event. The registration process and website notebook outline the cancellation policy surrounding credit eligibility.
DEADLINES FOR PAYMENTS The Carl Spackler Open has deadlines for both deposits and outstanding balances to be paid. Deadlines are published as part of the event itinerary. We do not have a collections department. We simply replace unpaid golfers. We encourage everyone to pay their balance as soon as your participant options are completed.
PARTICIPANT OPTIONS The Carl Spackler Open collects responses, opinions, personal choices, options, and preferences. These are collectively known as Participant Options. Each Carl Spackler Open held has multiple sets of participant options opened for a period published as part of the event itinerary. Participant options are collected step-by-step on the CarlSpacklerOpen.com website. A “PLAN YOUR TRIP TODAY” graphic appears on the Carl Spackler Open website when they are open for selection.
Participant options are not optional per say. All responses from everyone are organized for volunteers. Some participant options have fees associated. Some examples include single occupancy hotel room, replay round of golf, and apparel purchase. Fee related options automatically update your outstanding balance. There will be participant options confirming knowledge of our basic golf rules. Golf rule responses are collected and a component towards your position on next year’s Roster Worksheet.
ANSWERS TO POSSIBLE QUESTIONS Question: When should I get started? Answer: Creating an account on Poststats.com, managing your golf profile, and posting scorecards can start more than a year before Carl Spackler Open participation. The largest regret by rookies is not creating an account and posting scorecards when they first heard of the Carl Spackler Open.
Question: How many people can participate in the Carl Spackler Open? Answer: Tee time availability and roster maximums depend on actual hotel and golf course selection. It is provided inside event registration.
Question: Event registration process asks for my attendance probability. What should I select? Answer: Registrants, including golfers with 25% desire, are handled the same way. Your response is your voice to everyone involved. You are communicating your availability (or desire) to participate.
Question: My buddy invited me to Spackler. There is no brochure. Why is it so popular? Answer: It is organized. It is inexpensive. There are laid back smiling personalities everywhere. Your joining a large nationwide social circle. Your not managing a fantasy football team with players you cannot control, but you in a golf tournament tracked hole-by-hole with a published real-time Leaderboard.
Rookie Orientation 2 of 2 - Setting Your Expectations
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SUMMARY It has probably crossed your mind that you are in embarking on a vacation with 80 strangers. This second orientation focuses on the vacation itself. This document is not intended for your consumption until a week prior to the event. Its purpose to provide you with vacation expectations based on 20 years of event experiences. PEOPLE We have been told by many vendors the unique group resembles a college fraternity reunion. Our group is actually one hundred complete strangers who have repeatedly vacationed together to the point where we are very comfortable with one another. There are a wide variety of occupations, interests, and personalities from many areas of the country attending. ENVIRONMENT The Carl Spackler Open is a relaxed 108-hour golf party designed with downtime between 11:00PM and 7:00AM. The event is very different from a traditional Myrtle Beach, Florida, or Las Vegas golf trip. Expect to spend 7 to 9 hours each day at the golf course, meeting dozens of people, and competing in a golf tournament. The first day will be 50 guys saying hello to 50 guys they have not seen in a year, however the most common statement made by a rookie after the trip, “I did not expect it to be so welcoming.” COMMUNICATIONS The preparations for the event are boring, negative, and filled with lots of process and requirements. That is all true. Those logistics are done after participant options are selected. Now it’s time to experience a crowd of people walking around for 108 hours with intent and clear direction.
You will not see a tour guide at the Carl Spackler Open. All relevant event information has been condensed into a smaller mobile website for your pocket. Tee times, itinerary, Leaderboards, scoring, golf rules, dinner options, cell phone contacts, room numbers, vehicle drivers, and more all easily accessible from all versions of smartphone. The Carl Spackler Open occasionally grabs attention by texting 80+ cell phones. Our event website is connected to the Telegram app. This enables us to notify everyone regarding rain guidance, lost golf clubs, golf rule updates, procedure changes, vendor surprises, itinerary changes, your personalized daily itinerary, and anything necessary. WALLET The Carl Spackler Open golf trip fee does not supply lunch and most dinners. It does not supply beverages except for breakfast. It does not supply gasoline for cars. With that said, the average golfer probably spends $30 during their vacation on things that are not food, beverage, and arrival/departure transportation. HOTEL ROOM The Carl Spackler Open pays for hotel rooms (including taxes). One member from each room provides a credit card for damage and incidentals. Roommates are available on both websites. ROLE OF YOUR REFERRAL Your referral should not be dumping this document on you. He is responsible for getting you acclimated into the Carl Spackler Open.
Everyone who participates in our event is required to have someone they trust. Everyone must ultimately follow direction from someone they trust no matter the circumstance.
GOLF COURSE PACE OF PLAY The average round of golf in America takes 4 ½ hours. Many golfers institute the gimmie, play familiar easy courses, and ignore ‘stroke and distance’ with the intent of finishing a round in 4 hours. The Carl Spackler Open is played on unfamiliar difficult golf courses, by hackers, by the rules, without drop zones, competitively, and rarely with a gimme. Impatient golfers must prepare themselves mentally for a 6hour round and pray for a 5-hour round. Quick golfers should stock the golf cart with food, drinks, music, newspapers, and embrace the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and the social aspects. The fastest round in the past 15 years lasted 5 hours. YARDAGE Golfers are not designed to play with the same golfer twice. Final Round pairings are based on reverse Leaderboard order. All rookies are paired with their referral once. YARDAGE and TEES The Carl Spackler Open has its own set of tees. Actually, two sets. The tournament tee has been set at 6,450 yards for 20 years. We also have a senior tee that plays around 6,000 yards. There is a Tee Analysis page on the website. An algorithm uses yardages played from local cards entered, age, stroke handicap, and club yardages in your golfer profile to denote which tee to play. Golfers receiving a +1 on the tee analysis page can play the Senior Tee. A rarer +2 identifies our Super Seniors. Super Seniors can play the colored golf course tee in front of the Senior Tee on each hole. SCORING The Carl Spackler Open scores electronically on our website using a modified stableford handicap system. Each pairing is responsible for completing an accurate paper scorecard. This scorecard is turned in and our backup to electronic scoring.
The tournament has successfully scored the event for 10 years using cell phones. Pairings are designed to have a mobile scorer. This means your score will be submitted to a real-time Leaderboard seconds after your ball drops in the hole. The real-time electronic scoring can be viewed using the mobile website. The Leaderboard shuffles multiple times a minute from updates. BAG STORAGE (DEPENDENT ON GOLF COURSE) The Carl Spackler Open event is held at the same golf facility for a variety of reasons. One of the many advantages can be bag storage. Golf bags stored (instead of transported back to the hotel daily) overnight add tremendous efficiency that are hard to quantify until you experience it. The event provides each golfer a personalized bag tag for easy golf bag identification. Golfers can keep a set of street shoes in their golf bag. Swap street shoes for golf shoes after their round and leave the golf course. AWARDS DINNER & PRESENTATION The Carl Spackler Open event holds an awards dinner on the final night to close the event. Dinner is provided. The time and location are available within the event itinerary.
GIFTS The Carl Spackler Open distributes hundreds of gifts and purchases. Rookies will receive a logo cap and a set of golf rule cards for their golf bag. PLAYER MEETING A Welcome Player Meeting is our event kickoff. There is a variety of things discussed as a collective group, but it’s also an organized social. The event is structured in many ways to get rookies involved. Part of the meeting will include a rookie introduction, which provides an opportunity to break the ice with the large group. RED TEES There is a Red Tee Lottery and Distribution at the Carl Spackler Open. Each golfer is assigned a hole where they can play from the red tee. Assignments are available on both websites and inside the mobile scoring system. SYMBOLS – V, S, D The pairings page on the mobile website will display symbols next to player names. These symbols indicate which golfers (V) drove a vehicle to Spackler, (S) have access to mobile score, and (D) assigned as a golf cart driver. Note: Being assigned a driver is not instruction to drive a golf cart. Our event does not want 80 golfers acquiring golf carts. Passengers (not assigned drivers) should not obtain a golf cart. They should be looking for the driver who has obtained their golf cart. The driver and passenger can then figure out who drives. Remember the mobile website has an address book with cell phone numbers.
GOLF RULES The Carl Spackler Open has voted multiple times to play a handicapped golf tournament. We cannot do that without scorecards for handicapping and playing by a set of golf rules. We have chosen five basic rules to play. Those rules are available inside both websites. There are two or three very minor differences from the USGA Rule Book. The 3rd set of participant options confirms the understanding of each rule. LONG PUTT POINTS There is a 6th golf rule card that explains the rules surrounding long putts. The golfer who makes the longest putt on each hole receives a bonus of 2 points. This is a Carl Spackler Open event rule and explained during the Practice Round. PRIZES, AWARDS, and OUTFITS Golden Jacket – The golfer who scores the most points win a Golden Jacket for their closet. Past winners return each year wearing their jacket to socials. Al Czverik Outfit – The golfer in last place after Round 2 will play Round 3 on Sunday in the Al Czverik (Rodney Dangerfield) Outfit from Caddy Shack. This is a 7-hour reminder to the golfer in last place that he is in last place. Carl Spackler Outfit – The loser of the golf tournament will wear the Carl Spackler Outfit from the movie Caddy Shack throughout the last evening and Awards Dinner.
Awards Dinner Choices
Bateson, Bill Fried Chicken Chocolate Cake Bean, Shawn BBQ Chicken Peach Cobbler Behnke, Mike Fried Chicken Blueberry Cobbler Bender, Kyle BBQ Chicken Chocolate Cake Bittner, Jason Bittner, Michael Bono, Bobby BBQ Chicken Blueberry Cobbler Bono, Joe Fried Chicken Blueberry Cobbler Bowman, Thomas Baked Chicken Chocolate Cake Brewster, Jim BBQ Chicken Chocolate Cake Cronauer, Chad BBQ Chicken Peach Cobbler Dore, Jean Fried Chicken Chocolate Cake Dosky, Rick Dupree, Brett Ellerbrock, Michael Baked Chicken Chocolate Cake Frederoski, Justin Fried Chicken Peach Cobbler Garrett, Greg Fried Chicken Chocolate Cake Gauthier, Michael BBQ Chicken Blueberry Cobbler Gibson, Matt BBQ Chicken Peach Cobbler Gibson, Michael Baked Chicken Chocolate Cake Glover, Jay BBQ Chicken Blueberry Cobbler Gorby, Justin Fried Chicken Peach Cobbler Grider, Max Baked Chicken Banana Pudding Hanks, Andy Fried Chicken Chocolate Cake Harris, Bradley BBQ Chicken Blueberry Cobbler Harris, Stan Fried Chicken Blueberry Cobbler Harrison, Douglas Jr Hench, Allan Baked Chicken Peach Cobbler Holder, Anthony BBQ Chicken Chocolate Cake Holder, Greg Fried Chicken Banana Pudding Holzberger, Robert Baked Chicken Chocolate Cake Jakacki, Adam BBQ Chicken Peach Cobbler Johnson, Jerry Juanarena, Greg Justice, Don Kaniecki, Eric Fried Chicken Chocolate Cake Klump, Ryan BBQ Chicken Peach Cobbler Lewis, Mike Long, Brian Fried Chicken Chocolate Cake Long, Bryan BBQ Chicken Peach Cobbler Long, Chad Long, Charlie Sr BBQ Chicken Blueberry Cobbler Long, Doug Fried Chicken Blueberry Cobbler Long, Greg Fried Chicken Chocolate Cake Long, Kevin Jr Long, Scott BBQ Chicken Peach Cobbler Lutz, Mike BBQ Chicken Banana Pudding McLennan, Kess Milam, Chris Fried Chicken Peach Cobbler Miller, Dale Fried Chicken Peach Cobbler Miller, Jeff BBQ Chicken Chocolate Cake Miller, Scott Baked Chicken Banana Pudding Mogel, Matthew BBQ Chicken Blueberry Cobbler Munch, Kylie Fried Chicken Chocolate Cake Munksgard, Chet Sr Baked Chicken Peach Cobbler Munksgard, Jon Fried Chicken Blueberry Cobbler Munksgard, Tim Fried Chicken Blueberry Cobbler Myers, Jay Baked Chicken Banana Pudding Nangle, Steve Baked Chicken Chocolate Cake Ober, David Fried Chicken Chocolate Cake Osborne, Dave Fried Chicken Banana Pudding Overdorff, Jeff Owens, Shane Baked Chicken Blueberry Cobbler Palmer, Mark Peckham, Thomas Baked Chicken Blueberry Cobbler Pierson, Carl Price, Chris Fried Chicken Peach Cobbler Pritchard, Matt BBQ Chicken Blueberry Cobbler Ridgeway, Jason Rough, Douglas Sammis, Patrick Baked Chicken Chocolate Cake Sams, Joe Sheridan, Clayton Fried Chicken Peach Cobbler Silver, Jared Fried Chicken Peach Cobbler Tatum, Jeff BBQ Chicken Peach Cobbler Turner, Kyle BBQ Chicken Peach Cobbler Turner, Marty Vacca, Mark BBQ Chicken Blueberry Cobbler Wagner, Mark Fried Chicken Blueberry Cobbler Ward, Ken Fried Chicken Chocolate Cake Whalen, Marten Fried Chicken Banana Pudding Wirfel, Jeffrey BBQ Chicken Blueberry Cobbler Yencho, Joseph BBQ Chicken Banana Pudding Zabonik, Marty BBQ Chicken Peach Cobbler
Roster Worksheet
The Roster Worksheet will be used to build the participant roster. It is an active list of past participants organized into a three-phase schedule.
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