A Good Run

The 2004 Tom Maynard Memorial Poker Run.

May 21^st & 22^nd

                On May 22nd you won’t need a good Poker face to win big. In fact, with just one hand, you can take home up to $5000. You could even win for the worst hand of the day. At the 2004 Tom Maynard Memorial Poker Run, a game of chance is used to remind people not to take any chances. Safety is the game as boaters from across the East Coast come to southwest Virginia to tour the lake and collect the best Poker hand possible from seven local marinas.

                The Poker Run was conceived seven years ago by lake residents who thought there needed to be a fun way to promote boating safety and raise money for charity. Now the Tom Maynard Memorial Run has become Virginia’s largest inland Poker Run and the major fund-raiser for the Smith Mountain Lake Boating Association. The Run has grown so much that it actually seems to kick off the summer season a week earlier than usual. The Run even attracts more non-residents than locals, and has been a catalyst for bringing many new resident s to the area.

                Of course, no matter how much it grows, organizers never let more than 75 boats enter, because the whole goal is to promote safety. They also try to ensure that everyone understands that this is not a race. Brandt Gawor, chairperson of the event and owner of Precision Detailing commented, “It’s a game of chance; an assembly of more than 300 boating enthusiasts who bring all kinds of boats – from pontoons and deck boats to cruisers and offshore performance boats – to this event held the weekend before Memorial Day. This gives lake businesses a great economic jump start to the tourist season.”

                Not only do businesses benefit, but the event raises more than $20,000 for the Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire Co., The Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 81 and the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce/Partnership. Brandt said, “Everyone who enters is a winner because the money goes to organizations that help make Smith Mountain Lake a safer place to live and work.” With $9000 up for grabs, some people win more than others. Everyone will be trying to pick up the Four Aces worth $5,000. Then it gets creative. There’s $1,500 for Best Hand; $500 for the Best Appearing Boat; $300 for the Best Engineered Boat; $300 for the Best Appearing Crew; $200 for the Highest Marked Spade; $200 for the Boat with Most Registered Players (Not exceeding the legal passenger limit of the boat); and $200 for the Worst Hand.

                The year’s event will launch with pre-registration starting at 1:00 p.m. on Friday at Mango’s Bar & Grill. From 6 to 8 p.m. a Joker’s Wild Party will welcome players and guests. Tasty hors d’oeuvres, drinks, Poker Run goodies and T-shirts will be dealt out to . At 7:30 p.m. there will be a cash bar and live entertainment by The Kings and UBU Band. The event opens to the public at 6:30 p.m. at $10 a person.

                Keeping to their goals, the Saturday events begin with a required safety meeting for all boat captains at 11:00 a.m. This meeting will be conducted by representatives from the Virginia Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the SMLBA. Leaving Bridgewater at 11 a.m., the boats proceed through their destinations taking one of several different carefully charted courses. At each Marina they will pick up one card and they will have plenty of time to shop, gas up, grab something to eat or just visit. With just seven stops, this leisurely tour goes until 4:00p.m. when everyone heads back to Bridgewater for a lively and entertaining awards barbecue.

                The entry fee is $125 per player and there is a two-player minimum per boat. Extra players are encouraged and guests can ride along for $50. Remember, this is about safety, so while we want as many people as possible to join in the fun, you can’t exceed the legal limit for your boat. To obtain a registration form, go to the Smith Mountain Lake Boating Association website at www.smlba.com, or contact Brandt Gawor at 540-537-4292. Only 75 boats are allowed, so get your registration in soon.

Camper’s Paradise Marina

Shoreline Marina

Virginia Dare Marina

Banana Joe’s at Central Marine

Mariner’s Landing

Smith Mountain Dock & Lodge

Wet Connection at Crazy Horse Marina