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THAT'S HOW HE ROLLS: Lawn game becomes serious business for Destin airman
The Destin Log
July 10, 2009
By Jennifer Rich
 When an airman is caught on a long flight above the Middle East, the mind has a
lot of time to wander. For Air Force officer Matt Butler, it was tossing around
the idea for ROLLORS that led the Destin resident to patent the next big thing
in fun on the front lawn.
“I've always liked lawn games like bocce ball,” Butler said.
Butler played lawn games with his family growing up and his competitive nature
kept his mind reeling about how to have fun with a simple game. Butler created
ROLLORS, an “exciting game of skill and chance” as the slogan boasts.
The object of the game is to give small rounded disks an underhanded roll toward
one of two cone-shaped goals, getting as close as possible. The disks, or
ROLLORS, are rolled vertically in a bowling motion and points are tallied by
where a disk lands.
Butler got a utility patent for the game five months ago from a local attorney
to have exclusive rights to the design, one that makes people raise an eyebrow
when he brings it out on the beach or at a barbecue.
“At first they go 'what is that?' ” he said. “Then I sit back and smile while
they play.”
Since 9/11, Butler said he's spent half of his time deployed to the Middle East.
He hatched the idea for the game a few years ago, but was unable to make
it a reality until he found someone to help him make a prototype.
Production for the small operation has been by those close to Butler's heart -
veterans.
Like others, the economy has not been kind to veterans who were employed in the
construction industry.
“They haven't had any work,” he said.
So the craftsmanship that goes into producing a wooden ten-piece ROLLORS set
happens right in a vet's garage locally.
In fact, all of Butler's efforts to get his small business off the ground have
been focused on keeping all aspects of it local - from producing the game, to
maintaining his web site, having t-shirts printed and buying his business cards
and letterhead.
He said he's thankful to have job security in the military, and is hoping that
his venture can help out others in the community.
“That way all of the money stays in the U.S.,” he said.
He admits that using local services to meet his needs has been more expensive,
but worth it. One of the hardwood maple sets takes about two hours to make, and
sells for $85.
Many people have told him the price is a little steep and that he could make it
cheaper out of plastic, like other lawn games. But that's not his style.
He said quality is something he can't get away from critiquing, since his job in
the military has him inspecting and evaluating new combat equipment all the
time.
Butler has sunk well over $8,000 into his new venture and will continue to keep
it small and market himself at festivals and craft shows. He enjoys being his
own boss for now.
“It's not a big thing that I'm doing,” he said. “The return to me is somebody
telling me they had fun.”
Want to play?
To learn more about ROLLORS, visit www.rollors.net
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