October 26, 2007–Walters Golf owns and operates three Las Vegas golf courses, Bali Hai Golf Club, Royal Links Golf Club and Desert Pines Golf Club, golf courses that are unique to each other and to Las Vegas golf. And recently, the South Pacific-themed Bali Hai Golf Club was home to some high stakes golf betting by some of the biggest names in the poker world with the playing of the The Doyle Brunson and Dewey Tomko Invitational. Nine poker stars anted up a million dollars of their own money to participate in an event where they are playing for a minimum of $500,000 per hole. One of the competitors is Walters Golf CEO Bill Walters, who after the first nine holes when he teamed with Phil Hellmuth and Russ Hamilton, has helped his team earn $1 million. The team of Doyle Brunson, Dewey Tomko and Vince Van Patten have earned $2 million while the team of Daniel Negreanu, Erick Lindgren and Josh Arieh have won $1 million. The event was shown on ESPN last week and the second round will air Sunday, October 28 on ESPN from 3-5 PM Eastern. Nine, two-player teams, including Phil Ivey and Janet Jones-Gretzky, will be playing for the cash.
This event on the High Stakes Golf Tour stipulated that each of the 9 players would ante up $1 million dollars in order to participate in the first event. The players decided the format of the game, negotiated the tee boxes and rules; just exactly as they do when they play like this away from the television cameras, tournament spectators, friends and family.
“I’ve always wanted to bring together a group of people that represent the high stakes gambling lifestyle,” says Tomko. “What better way to involve my love of gambling with my love for golf than combining both on national television?”
The format for the first nine holes was a three-man team scramble and each of the 9 holes was worth $1 million. If two teams tied with the lowest score on an individual hole, then all teams tied, with no money won on that particular hole. There would be no carry-overs. Just like any Skins game or Nassau played on any given day on any course in America, money is paid out based on what you actually win; no guarantees, win or lose.
"This is an opportunity for the average person to look through a 'window' into the lives of these players," says Mark Braman, High Stakes Entertainment Chairman. "They basically gamble on everything that they do, and you can go behind-the-scenes and see thier world."
Braman also says that his group plans on having four to six of these events in 2008, with two internationally, but that at least one Las Vegas event is in the cards.
About Las Vegas golf course Bali Hai Golf Club
The only championship course located right on the Las Vegas Strip, Bali Hai Golf C;ub is a tropical golfer’s paradise, highlighted by 7 acres of water features, a signature island green, more than 4,000 trees including 2,500 stands of towering palms and 100,000 tropical plants and flowers. Transition zones are accented with Augusta white sand and set off by black volcanic rock outcroppings. Caddies and forecaddies are available to make your round more enjoyable. Using one of our professional caddies, a foursome can complete play in less than four hours, even though this is a championship golf course that will test your every skill. Recognized as one of "America's Top 40 Resort Courses" by GolfWeek Magazine and the "Best Course in Las Vegas" by VegasGolfer Magazine, the course is a truly unique experience and a must play for golfers of all abilities.
The Golf Shop was was recognized as one of "100 Best Golf Shops" in America by GolfWorld Business magazine for 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. It offers a boutique shopping experience with a wide variety of high-end apparel, equipment and gift items for both women and men. Callaway Club and FootJoy shoe rentals are also offered at the Golf Shop.