Las Vegas, NV - 11/20/2006 - They came from as far away as the Dominican Republic, represented 13 states and ranged in age from 30 to 65, but they had one singular purpose, to win the inaugural Walters Cup. Held November 5 – 9, 2006, the Walters Cup was a Pro-Am Golf/Poker Tournament developed by Walters Golf in Las Vegas.
“Pro/Am tournaments are very popular,” said Brennan Blednick, Senior Director of Sales for Walters Golf, “And we realized from the beginning that we would have to do something very special to break through the clutter. Our intention was to provide an event that the PGA Pro and their amateurs would find interesting and allow them to showcase their golfing skills on an even field against others from across the country. Obviously with the popularity of Texas Hold ‘Em and being Las Vegas, the poker component added that little extra spice to the event.”
The four-day event included three rounds of very different and challenging golf. For the first round, organizers selected the Stallion Mountain Country Club. This Jim Colbert – Jim Brauer facility has hosted the Las Vegas Invitational and the Frank Sinatra Celebrity Classic. Today it plays to 7,351 yards and helped set the stage for some very intense competition. The second round was played on 18 of the “Best Holes” from 11 different British Open rotation courses as the Royal Links Golf Club and the final round was at Bali Hai Golf Club, recognized as the Best High-End Resort Course in Las Vegas.
The winning team was from California and was comprised of Robert Shirey, John Whitlock, Stephan Whitlock, Dean Greene and Pete Candella.
“We host over 600 events a year and this was definitely one of our finest,” said Brian Dyke, Resort Sales Manager for Walters Golf. His observation was supported by comments from participants.
From PGA Pro, Johnny LaPonzina, “I just got home yesterday from participating in the 1st Annual Walters Cup Golf and Poker Tournament. As you know, I’ve participated and hosted hundreds of these events during my career and I can honestly tell you that it was the finest run golf event I have ever participated in … My amateurs had a great time and we look forward to playing in the pro am again. Congratulations to you and your staff on the outstanding event.”
And from Florida, Pro Leigh Pope writes, “Thanks again to you, Brennan and your staff for such a great trip. Please let me know the tentative dates for 2007 as my wife is pregnant and expecting around end of June early July, so next Fall would be best for me if you're planning two events.
From Los Angeles, “First of all thank you very much for a first class event. That was by far the most tightly, professionally run golf event I have ever attended...and a great time to boot.” And from Arizona, Head Pro Eric Lyman offers, “Just wanted thank both of you on a job well done. You know how to run a first class golf tournament and everything went great. My team had a grea
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