(8-5-2013) The Inaugural Fun in the Sun Golf Cart Poker Run was right up there with the Annual Mardi Gras Parade in terms of community effort and togetherness! This event, sponsored by the Bolivar Peninsula Lions Club, was held last Saturday. When the Planning Committee got together on Thursday night to discuss final tasks, there were only 34 registered golf carts, but they were hopeful they would “get more”. And, get more they got! The lines at Coconuts began building around 9:30 am with pre-registered guests and new registrants. The final tally was 95 golf carts and over 150 registered poker players.

At 11:18 am, after drawing the first card for the Poker Hand, the players all boarded golf carts. Most were decorated to compete in “The Best Decorated” category, and the others were just thrilled to be there joining in the fun. With a police-escorted crossing of Hwy 87, the trip began from Coconuts down to the beach en route to the second stop, Tiki Beach Bar & Grill. More refreshments and snacks, and another Poker Card – Thanks Tiki!!

The next stop, and another card to draw, was the Eagles. The poker players were greeted with $2 beers, cokes and water and a wonderful assortment of finger foods, all downstairs in the open air patio. What a treat! Again, leaving the Eagles, crossing the highway and making way for the longest beach trip, the home owners cheered from the neighborhoods and the beach crowd stared and waved and cheered as parade went by.

The seemingly endless row of carts arrived at Stingaree, where Brad Vratis and A-Bear greeted the group with coolers of beer, water and freshly made Stingarita’s…and LIVE MUSIC! This has to be the first time golf carts took up more space in the parking lot than boat trailers.

Leaving at 2 pm sharp with a fourth Poker Card in hand, the line of carts made their way back to Coconuts, arriving by 3 pm. The fifth and final card was drawn, and the crowd started to get antsy about who had won the Poker Hand and all the other prizes to be won, not to mention auction items, silent and live, and the grand raffle for a Yeti Cooler. Winners are listed below.

A huge thank you to all the sponsors: The Big Store, Swede’s Real Estate, Gabourel Insurance, Brint Construction, Steve’s Restaurant, Remax, Kites Unlimited, Farmers Insurance and Beachside RV…and it couldn’t have been done without the “refreshment” stops along the way: Coconuts, Tiki Beach Bar & Grill, The Eagles & Stingaree/Down Under!

The Silent Auction was Lagniappe! For those from the South or more appropriately, this close to Louisiana, it’s just something extra, the icing on the cake, gravy…So many of you donated items from your stores, from your hearts, anything from a Queen Palm, a handmade quilt, a 40″ flat screen TV, another Yeti Cooler, an oil change, you name it, over 37 items! People bid from their hearts, loving every minute of it!

A special thanks to Constable (Lion) William Comeaux, Crystal Beach, Malcolm Comeaux and Robert Barrow of the Port Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department for making the journey a safe one!

All proceeds from The Golf Cart Poker Run will go to local schools, Crenshaw and High Island, for school supplies.
Thank you all for your support.

Bolivar Peninsula Lions Club – We Serve

Don’t forget to add this event to your list of “things to do” next year. Watch us, Crystal Beach Local News, for dates and don’t forget to like us on Facebook
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First Place Poker Hand – FLUSH: David & Paula Isenblatter

Second Place Poker Hand – STRAIGHT: Barry & Melissa Terrell

Third Place Poker Hand – THREE OF A KIND: Don & Ellen Pruit

Best Decorated Golf Cart: Conrad & Charlotte Cooper

Group With Most Participation: Lafitte’s Landing

Farthest Distance Traveled – INDIANA: David & Paula Isenblatter

Raffle Winner – YETI COOLER: Bob Lyon