Saturday, May 17, 2008

Yup, We're Proud of Him!

World Series of Golf Crowns Champion:

Michigan Car Salesman Knocks out Poker Pro to Win $250K

Las Vegas (May 15, 2008) - 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.

andrew johnson

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.

andrew johnsonThe World Series of Golf is scheduled to be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports, June 28 and 29.

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.

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Mr. Champion pictured above is my brother-in-law!!!!!!!!!! He's my husband's youngest brother. It was really exciting around here the other night when Andy called my husband to share the news...Bobby was practically jumping up and down - that's how happy and proud he was! Andy had just won shortly before he called Bobby but had to hang up quick 'cause he said several news stations were waiting to interview him (CBS was first in line, I guess)!

Andy was a high school junior when I first started dating his brother. When our son started talking, he just couldn't pronounce "Andy" very well so Tyler called him "Unca Nanny" and it has stuck through the years!

WAY TO GO, "Unca Nanny"!!!!!!

12 comments:

  1. Congrats to Andy :) Pretty neat.
    He looks so much like Bobby.

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  2. Wow, how exciting, you have a celebrity in your family! A big congratulations to Unca Nanny!! Wonder what he'll do with all that money?

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  3. Yeah, Bobby & Andy do look a lot alike - just different eye colors. Bobby's are super light blue and Andy has deep chocolate brown.

    Sure does seem strange to think we have a celebrity in our family! My kids were joking about having a RICH UNCLE now! Tyler was teasing that Uncle Andy needs to remember his ONLY nephew (which is the truth...4 sons and my in-laws only have ONE grandson [Tyler] and all the rest are girls) and buy him a new car! LOL

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  4. How fun for your family...congratulations to Unca Nanny!

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  5. I'm with Candy... I had to do a double-take too. They do look so much alike!

    What fun! Congrats to the "rich" Uncle :o) and how exciting for your family ---- hopefully this was a bright spot for everybody in your week!

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  6. How very exciting! Congratulations to Andy!

    :0) Sharno

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  7. Woohoo for Unca Nanny! That is so awesome. At first I, too, thought he was your husband! That is just so exciting. My brother and sis-in-love are big golfers. My daddy was, too, but I just never seemed to get into it.

    I'm so glad you stopped by my blog again. I've just been really busy and haven't seemed to have time for the computer. I did a new post today, though. It is my Jamie's 14th birthday! I've missed you and I hope to have more time soon.

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  8. P.S.

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! I was just catching up on your blog and I saw your 40th birthday post. You are so young (hee, hee). Actually, I will be 48 in July so you are a baby to me! I do hope you had a wonderful day. I still love birthdays and probably always will, no matter how old I am.

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  9. Happy Belated Birthday, Michelle!!!
    How exciting to have a celebrity in the family now! That's just so cool!
    How's everyone doing there? We're staying busy as ever trying to wrap up with school for the summer.
    Talk to you soon,
    Karen

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  10. A celebrity in the family, how exciting! Now I'm not into golf but my H sure is...he would be so jealous.
    A belated Happy Birthday to you.
    Hugs, DebraK

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  11. Wonderful! You have a famous family member. That's pretty cool. Congratulations to Andy.

    I hope you enjoyed your weekend Michelle. I get the morning off, as my kids are gone from 9:00-1:00 today at a home school co-op. I'm going to sit on my patio for a little while and enjoy my flowers and read my Bible. I will be praying for my children, and husband, and I'll include Tyler and your cousin.

    Hugs, Kathi

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  12. Hi Michelle,
    How wonderful :o)
    HOpe you're doing good ,I'm trying to catch up with blogging.
    Have a wonderful wk.
    Blessins',Lib

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