Traditionally, the way to have hidden screw holes is to pierce the face of the pad, at each hole, with something like a slender, pointed Xacto blade. The screw and the screwdriver blade are coated with a thin, clear oil, like Hoppes, which prevents scrubbing of the pad face. The screw is carefully inserted, on the screwdriver, into the cut. It enters the screw hole and is carefully tightened down, then the screwdriver is carefully withdrawn.

Done this way the little cut closes itself and is virtually invisible.

May God bless America and those who defend her.