DRYL Poker Run Draws Another Winning Hand !!

July 25^th marked the 7^th Annual DRYL Bud Koch Poker Run. This event has turned into a big hit among boaters on the river. In 2003 I think we had 62 people play a hand and enjoy an afternoon on the river. In 2005 that number jumped to 166 players. Last year I thought we peaked out when we had 340 people spend a day with us but to my surprise this year we had 352 players who took a hand and played in the sun with us while trying to win some gas money….

We had 239 players start at Bristol YC, 93 started at Farragut SA and 20 players started at West End BC. Do ya think the northern river boaters know something that the southern river boaters don’t?

I spent the morning at Bristol YC signing in players and every now and then I would catch the aroma of breakfast coming from the BYC clubhouse where Doc, Bonnie and their crew were cooking up a massive breakfast for those that started up north. I was told that they went thru 52 pounds of bacon !! Players had a choice of French toast, eggs, bacon, home fries, toast, bagels, doughnuts, Danish, breakfast bars, fruit salad, juices, coffee – you name it –they had it. I sat about 10 yards from the kitchen door so every time that door opened I caught a whiff of the love that was in that kitchen!! BIG THANKS has to go out to the BYC crew headed by Doc & Bonnie. And I cannot forget the help that was given to me by Anchor YC Princess Carla Cefalone in the morning until her dad ( Dan ) said it was time to go. She was a GREAT HELP to me!

My very supportive wife Mary worked hard at Farragut SA with Stella Erickson, Florence Libby and Jane Hunsberger registering and dealing cards for us. They had the help of another Princess – Bridesburg OC Princess Sammie Schaffer was there to set up the tee shirt table and took care of that table in the afternoon making sure that everyone got a shirt this year.

I also need to mention that Farragut SA did a great job for us this year, not only putting out a nice pre-race pick me up out for those starting at their club but they also docked the many boats that came out to enjoy a sunny hot day with us. Kudos to FSA Harbor Master JR Pyffer for his efforts in making sure there was a place for everyone who showed up at FSA. He moved members boats on Friday and then again on Sunday morning. Farragut also made sure that the food and drink was available throughout the afternoon and scout, who is moving a little slower these days was there to make sure there was a place for everyone who could not finish a hot dog or burger.

I also have to give thanks to the clubs who were stops – WEBC, PYC, QCYC, WYC, BOC, HLYC, and RYC … your hospitality to the players is what I think makes this event what it is. These clubs put out food, snacks, drinks and have guys who deal cards, moved boats at their docks, placed boats on moorings, and more importantly, they spread the camaraderie that makes our league like NO OTHER BOATING OPRGANIZATION.

Lastly, let me thank my cohort in this great event – Mr. Fred Saunders of WEBC who is the Regatta Chairperson for the League.

This year we added a couple twists to the event. A dollar from every hand will be donated to an organization / charity to be decided at our August DRYL Delegate Meeting – so, not only did everyone have a great day with us, but we will also send money to a good cause!

We also added a Loser’s Pool for $5 per hand – all the losing hands who paid the $5 were placed into a box and a Princess would pull out a lucky winner who would get $200 !

The event is getting bigger and we are making changes to try and make it better. If you have any thoughts on how to yet improve this event more, please feel free to contact me or Fred and let us discuss this with you.

I hope all those that came out enjoyed the day – the food – the drink – the friendships – the game and the camaraderie!!! Thanks for coming out and Spread The Word !! - Juice

Now…. For the winners …..

1^st Prize $2450 - Perry Peloubet, Ran Del YC – Four Queens

2^nd Prize $1225 – Gail Carter, Bordentown YC – Four Nines

3^rd Prize $612 – Laura McGee, Neshaminy Harbor YC – Three Kings - Two Nines

4^th Prize - $306 – Wissinoming YC Gambler Fay – Three Queens - Two Sevens

5^th Prize - $306 – John Gentry, Edgely BC - Three Nines - Two Twos

And the Loser’s Pool $200 went to Tom Prieb of Farragut SA

Enjoy the pictures …. ( thanks Candyce )