Poker Odds Calculator
Pokerstars
Romania  Dutch  Hungarian  Portuguese  France
Poker Tournament Information »
PokerPages > Poker News > Poker News

Poker News - Poker News

Car Salesman Bests Poker Pros to Win World Series of Golf

by PokerPages.com
Thu, May 22nd, 2008 @ 12:00am

In a unique event that combines the wagering format of Texas Hold'em poker with the skill of golf, Andrew "AJ" Johnson, a 36-year-old car salesman from Davison, Michigan, bested a field of 80 amateur golfers which included several of the world's greatest poker players, to win the second annual World Series of Golf and its $250,000 top prize.

Allen Cunningham
Johnson successfully knocked out poker pros Allen Cunningham, Erick Lindgren and Dee Tiller, sealing his victory in the Full Tilt Poker-sponsored event by nailing a tee shot just a few yards short of the pin on the first playoff hole, a 163-yard par three at Paiute Golf Resort in Las Vegas. Lindgren, a member of Team Full Tilt, finished second, winning $60,000.

The final round of the World Series of Golf was played in a five-some that paired Johnson with Cunningham, Lindgren, Tiller, and Bill Spencer, a semi-retired builder from Las Vegas, Nevada.

The World Series of Golf is scheduled to be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports, June 28 and 29, which will give the online poker sponsor great exposure on national television.



ABOUT THE GAME FORMAT

Erick Lindgren"The World Series of Golf is a completely new way to experience the game of golf. It demands skill on the links, betting savvy and nerves of steel," said Terry Leiweke, president of the World Series of Golf.

"For any golfer who has ever said 'I'd bet anything that I can make this shot,' now is his chance to prove it."

The World Series of Golf combines the wagering format of Texas Hold'em with the skill of golf (a patent-pending method of play) that allows for high-stakes to ride on each golf hole. Players ante up on each tee, then depending on the outcome of the tee shots, they can bet, raise, call, check or fold on each subsequent shot. The winner of the hole collects the pot.

The result is a dramatic competition in which every shot counts, and wagering strategy is just as important as skill. As in poker, when a player no longer has any chips to ante up, that player is eliminated. The winner of each group moves onto the next round until the final group yields the golfer who is crowned the champion of the World Series of Golf.

I'VE ALREADY PAID MY ENTRY FEE FOR NEXT YEAR

Johnson, a former collegiate baseball player at Michigan State University said, "This is a once in a lifetime experience. I've never played anything like this, and I've already paid my entry fee for next year."

With a $10,000 buy-in, the event attracted amateur golfers from all across the United States and Canada. Participants represented all walks of life ranging from private equity investors and Las Vegas high-rollers to electricians and construction contractors.

High-profile participants for the event included:

  • Ray Romano, actor ("Everyone Loves Raymond"), comedian
  • John Daly, TV personality ("Real TV")
  • Phil Gordon, world-class poker pro, author and television host
  • Phil Ivey, five-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner
  • Tom Schneider, 2007 World Series of Poker Player of the Year
  • Daniel Negreanu, two World Poker Tour titles
  • Rhett Butler, 2006 World Series of Poker main event 5th-place finisher
  • Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, 2000 World Series of Poker Champion
  • Erick Lindgren, 2004 World Series of Poker Player of the Year
  • Allen Cunningham, winner of five WSOP gold bracelets: Seven-Card Stud 2001, Deuce-to-Seven Lowball 2002, No-Limit Hold'em in 2005 and 2006, and Pot Limit Hold'em 2007.
  • Dusty Allen, former major league baseball player
  • Emily Jilette, wife of magician Penn Jilette (of Penn & Teller)
  • Actor and comedian Ray Romano, playing for charity, delivered a strong performance, advancing to Day Two by making a dramatic comeback on the 19th hole of play. He went from the lowest chip count to the leader with an "all in" bet on a tricky putt. (Extra holes are played in the event that players still have chips remaining at the conclusion of regulation play.) Romano was eliminated on the 17th hole on Day Two. Poker superstar, Phil Ivey, who went "all in" on the first hole of the event, was eliminated; Emily Jilette, the only female entrant, put in a strong performance but was eliminated on the 19th hole after leading for most of the first round.


    Read Related Articles:

  • Full Tilt Poker Sponsors the Innovative World Series of Golf
  • Poker and Golf Blend at 2008 World Series of Golf
  •  

     
     

    More Poker News Articles

    Russia Latest to Pick Up PokerStars Brand Poker Tour
    12am Thu Dec 4th, 2008

    PokerStars has announced that they will be launching yet another poker tour, this time in the budding poker nation of Russia.

    All In Energy Drink Renews World Series of Poker Sponsorship
    12am Thu Dec 4th, 2008

    ALL IN Energy Drink and Purified Water announces it has reached a multi-year agreement with the World Series of Poker (WSOP) to continue as the exclusive and official energy drink and purified water of poker's most prestigious event.

    Peter "Zupp" Jepsen Signs with Ladbrokes Poker
    12am Thu Dec 4th, 2008

    Ladbrokes announced that Peter "Zupp" Jepsen has signed a sponsorship contract to represent Ladbrokes Poker. He will represent Ladbrokes at many offline events including EPT and WPT tournaments as well as all of Ladbrokes offline events.

    KGC and Excapa React to 60 Minutes Poker Scandal Show
    12am Wed Dec 3rd, 2008

    Clarifications have been flying left and right after the airing of this past Sunday's CBS '60 minutes' show titled "The Cheaters" covering the Ultimatebet and Absolute Poker scandals. On Monday, the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC) issued a public statement to clarify several important points they felt were left out of the show which reflected badly on them. Then Tuesday Dec.2, XMT Liquidations Inc. (XMT), the court-appointed liquidator for former Excapa Software Inc., issued a press release correcting points that KGC brought up in their statement concerning Excapa's ownership of Ultimatebet.

    Devilfish's "How to Become a Poker Millionaire" Now on DVD
    12am Wed Dec 3rd, 2008

    Just in time for a welcome gift for your poker-playing friends, UK poker legend Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott's five-part reality TV show "How to Become a Poker Millionaire" became available on DVD starting this week.

    Crown Casino Releases 2009 Aussie Millions Poker Championship Schedule
    12am Wed Dec 3rd, 2008

    Once again, the attention of the tournamnet poker community will begin the new year focused on the Crown Casino in Melbourne as the 2009 Aussie Millions is just around the corner.

    60 Minutes Online Poker Scandal Show Prompts Push for Regulation in USA
    12am Tue Dec 2nd, 2008

    Both the PokerPlayers Alliance (PPA) and the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative (SSIGI) were quick to react to Sunday's 60 Minute show covering the UltimateBet and Absolute Poker cheating scandals, saying the show underscores "the need for U.S. licensing and regulation of online poker to help protect consumers."

    Poker Pro JJ Liu Takes Down Venetian Deep Stack Main Event
    12am Tue Dec 2nd, 2008

    In two years, the Venetian Deep Stack Extravaganza series has become a favorite to many in the Las Vegas poker tournament community. To close the last of four DSE's on the 2008 schedule, poker pro J.J. Liu emerged victorious in the three-day Main Event.

    Microgaming Adding Playwize 3D Poker Software to Portfolio
    12am Tue Dec 2nd, 2008

    Internet gambling software provider Microgaming yesterday announced acquisition of the rights to the advanced 3D poker software of the now defunct UK firm Playwize plc. This will enable the Isle of Man-based company's many operators to offer Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Five Card Stud and Seven Card Stud in an immersive 3-D environment.

    JC Tran Claims Another Title at Party Poker Premier League III
    12am Tue Dec 2nd, 2008

    In one of the more unique poker events around, American JC Tran was able to waltz into London and top a stacked field to claim the PartyPoker Premier League II title.

    Download Poker Software
    PokerPages
    Newsletter
    Online Poker »
    Poker News »
    Blog Coverage


    Top News
    Top Tournaments