Full Tilt SwingOnline Qualifiers Play 18 With Full Tilt Pros At Australia's Most Exclusive Golf Course |
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What could make a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Australia even better? How about joining a busload of famous poker pros for 18 holes at the country's most exclusive golf course. That dream scenario, especially for anyone who loves golf, poker, amazing prop bets or any combination of the three, became a reality for a group of Full Tilt Aussie Millions online qualifiers.
A ticket to Melbourne, a seat in the $10,000 championship and white glove service at the Capital Golf Club - it's good to be a part of the Full Tilt community. Like any good reporter I tagged along to the exclusive event, and, like any good reporter, I watched instead of participating. (Hey, it's work, not a paid vacation.)
I started the day by sharing a chauffeured car ride with John, the Crown Casino's VIP host. John explained to me the inner workings of the Aussie Millions, and the reason why the tournament grows more popular each year. Basically, if there's anything in the city of Melbourne you want, and you're a high-profile player like Ivey or Juanda, the Crown Casino can get it for you.
From reservations at otherwise booked restaurants, to getting entrance into hot clubs, to getting you and 40 of your closest friends a tee time at a gulf club so exclusive no one can be a member … I think you get my point.
After a brief stop at a gated entrance, we entered the I-don't-play-golf-but-I-know-this-is-a-helluva-course confines of the Capital Golf Club. Rolling hills, lush green grass, even the sand traps looked inviting. I walked around the stately clubhouse and noticed so much stuff signed by Tiger Woods I almost stole something out of principle.
At 11 a.m. Phil Ivey, who was mobbed by fans and media at the Melbourne airport so badly he was separated from his wife and mother, arrived in a limousine and with his golfing party. (The setup for the Full Tilt-sponsored event went as follows: play in groups of four or five with at least one pro in every group.)
Ivey hit the practice range and within an hour the bus filled with the rest of the Full Tilt pros and online qualifiers pulled into the clubhouse driveway. No point listing off the players; nearly all the big names attended, including Jeff Madsen, who, other than hitting balls at a driving range, had no real golf experience.
Players stretched, warmed up, and finalized prop bets and wagers, before heading to the clubhouse for lunch. A ceremonial horn sounded as the groups piled into the small fleet of golf carts and hit the course.
I obtained wheels of my own and, accompanied by freelance photographer and Melbourne native Sam D'Agostino, proceeded to track the various action as the Full Tilt pros and online qualifiers enjoyed a day of golf in the warm Australian sun.
We first caught up with Madsen and his group, which included Beth Fischman (sister of poker pro Scott Fischman), Matt Vengrin, and Corey Kelly. "If I shot a six per hole I should be fine," Madsen said in regards to his $20 a stroke prop bet with Full Tilt's Jason Newitt. "I'm getting the hang of it. He better watch out."
Meanwhile, the mood in Ivey's party appeared slightly more "intense" as he and Ram Vaswani played for high, high (trust me, I'm talking super high) stakes per hole.
The unintentional/sometimes intentional comedic award went to the group featuring Carlos Mortensen and John Juanda, dubbed by Erick Lindgren as "the two worst golfers in the history of the sport." The two pros, despite having trouble not hitting something either made of sand or water, ran off a series of prop bets en route to being the first group to return to the clubhouse for more golf balls.
"They're awesome, absolutely hilarious," smiled the trio's third player, Adam Mouyal, who qualified for Aussie Millions through Full Tilt's Thursday Three Hundred satellite. "This whole trip has been unbelievable. All the pros have been so friendly and inviting. It's just been real cool."
"I'm just hoping these qualifiers come away with an experience they wouldn't have had otherwise," commented Newitt, paired with Allen Cunningham, Melissa Hayden, and online qualifier Miguel Pereira.
Gavin Smith, followed throughout the day by an FSN film crew, played the entire course barefoot. I watched him sink a 15-foot putt, talk trash to Matt Savage (he described Matt's playing style as "really bad"), and cheer on Colby White, an online qualifier from El Dorado Hills, California.
At this point completely sunburned, I waited at the clubhouse during the final hour of play. At 4:30, the fleet of golf carts returned, and the pros and qualifiers came inside for drinks and food. The Gus Hansen, David Grey, Howard Lederer, qualifier Dwayne Stacey team took home the longest drive and closest to the pin awards, while Clonie Gowen received an award for hitting another player with her golf ball.
Sitting next to Lindgren, who had a beer and mini-burger in each hand, I had to ask, "So what's better - a good day at the poker table or a good day at the golf course?"
"A good day at the golf course is way better than any day at the poker table," Lindgren grinned.
Quote of the Day: "Are you any good at this game?" - Gavin Smith to his caddie.
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