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 Made in the U.S.A.
On the Coast Magazine - Summer 2009
By Teresa Robbins
If you and your family are in the market for a fun outdoor game this summer and you want to support a worthwhile cause you won't have to look very far. 34-year-old Air Force Major Matt Butler, of Destin, developed a lawn activity that requires part bowling skill and part good aim and he sells them right here in town. The game "Rollors" is easy enough that anyone from toddlers to adults can play. You start by dividing players into two teams with an equal amount of people on each side. Each team is given three hardwood maple disks that are numbered on the side from one to six. A player from each team takes a turn rolling towards a wood goal which has a measuring string attached to it. After the rolls, whatever number is face up (on the disk landing closest to the goal) is counted to keep score. At the end of the game, which you can stop by setting a target score, the team that scores the highest or reaches the target score first, wins.
As an Air Battle Manager, Matt spent roughly 1,200 combat hours in the air over Iraq and Afghanistan which allotted him some serious time to think. An idea for a game started formulating in his mind which he later began to test. With an engineering mind and a degree in physics, Matt started to put his concept into motion. In the beginning stages, he wasn't sure where he was headed but over time the intent has definitely picked up speed. To begin production on the Rollors prototype, he hired a veteran to cut it out for him. That's when the wheels really started turning for Matt and his fun idea turned into a noteworthy mission. He instantly knew that he wanted to make a practice of hiring veterans, "I feel like they kind of got left behind," says Matt.
So far, Matt's plans for the game are falling into place; employing veterans and keeping everything local or within the U.S. borders. "I feel like we need to start taking care of ourselves more," he says. With the economic downturn and traces of its impact felt in the local area, Matt wants to zero in on local talent and resources to produce his game. He feels it is time to promote our local market, "I don't see enough stuff that's made in the U.S.A.".
Visit the article online at http://www.onthecoastmag.com/current_issue.htm
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