Michigan Car Salesman Knocks out Poker Pro to Win $250K
May 16, 2008 - 2:53am
Las Vegas (May 15, 2007) - In an event that combines the wagering format of
Texas Hold 'Em with the skill of golf, Andrew "AJ" Johnson, a 36-year-old
car salesman from Davison, MI, outlasted a field of 80 amateur golfers -
including several of the world's greatest poker players - to win the second
annual World Series of Golf and its $250,000 top prize.
Johnson successfully knocked out poker pros Allen Cunningham, Erick Lindgren
and Dee Tiller, sealing his victory 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, NV.
The World Series of Golf is scheduled to be broadcast nationally on CBS
Sports, June 28 and 28.
The World Series of Golf combines the wagering format of Texas Hold 'Em with
the skill of golf in a patent-pending format that allows for high-stakes to
ride on each golf hole. Players ante up on each tee, then can bet, raise,
call, check or fold on each subsequent shot. The object of the game is not
to shoot the lowest golf score, but rather to claim the pot on each hole,
eventually eliminating your opponents by winning all of their chips.
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
* 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.
The closing ceremony will be held at the Mirage Hotel & Casino, the host
hotel of the event, and will feature an exclusive performance by Zowie
Bowie.
About The World Series of Golf(r)
The World Series of Golf is a sports and entertainment company founded in
2004 whose activities include land based golf events, media and an online,
skill-based method of play for the game of golf. The company's first
land-based amateur golf tournament took place in Las Vegas in 2007 and is
the basis and launch pad for subsequent events internationally and for the
company's overall strategy to leverage its patent-pending method of play,
which combines the skill of golf and the wagering format of Texas Hold 'Em
poker, into a leading global event and online enterprise. The company plans
to achieve its objectives through strategic partnerships, sponsorships and
the founders' extensive experience and contacts in the sports world and
broadcasting. For additional information or to register for an event visit
the company's website at www.worldseriesofgolf.com .
Safe Harbor Statement
Statements about World Series' of Golf's future expectations, including
future revenues and earnings, and all other statements in this press release
other than historical facts are 'forward-looking statements' within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. World Series' of Golf intends that such
forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject
to change at any time, and World Series' of Golf's actual results could
differ materially from expected results. World Series' of Golf undertakes no
obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequently
occurring events or circumstances.
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