The World Series of Golf Tees Off

In this next-generation game of competitive golf, players ante on each tee, which is followed by a check, bet, or fold on each subsequent shot. Rather than shooting the lowest golf score, the object of the game is to claim the pot on each hole, eventually eliminating your opponents by winning all of their chips. With a $10,000 buy-in, the event attracted amateur golfers from across the United States and Canada. Participants represented all walks of life ranging from Las Vegas high rollers to electricians and construction contractors to celebrities including Ray Romano, Phil Gordon, and Dusty Allen.

"The World Series of Golf is about the personalities in the game, and our television broadcast focused on an incredibly unique group of individuals," says Terry Leiweke, president of the World Series of Golf and NCAA football record holder. "The players in our event are golfers that any average guy can relate to. They talk trash, they love to gamble, and on any given day, they could drain a twenty-foot putt with some real money on the line."

When the dust settled, amateur golfer and auto wholesale business owner Andrew "AJ" Johnson eclipsed the field of eighty fellow weekend warriors and luminaries from the worlds of sports, entertainment, and professional poker to claim the quarter million dollar purse. A Michigan native and MSU alumnus, the thirty-six-year-old Johnson's playing strategy was simply "to try to get through the first day."

Interest is catching on: the World Series of Golf has engaged in a multi-year domestic U.S. broadcast partnership with network television's sports leader, CBS Sports. "We believe that combining the two forums of golf and poker creates the most unique and exciting new golf format since the Skins Game came along almost thirty years ago," says Mr. Leiweke. "With the success of this year's event, we envision taking the World Series of Golf format into other arenas, both internationally and online."

For additional information or to register for an event visit www.worldseriesofgolf.com.

SOURCE: World Series of Golf

IRG Lynn Granito/Steven Melfi, 212-825-3210