Ozark Poker Run Sept 15

What’s better than owning a brand-new pontoon boat? How about owning a pontoon that you won at a poker run! This year PDB has teamed up with Border X’pressions to co-sponsor the Lil Boat & Pontoon Boat Poker Run on the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri and on Saturday, September 8, one lucky participant will win a new boat.

Last year PDB organized its own poker run and for the second straight year, a Lowe pontoon package will be awarded to the best poker hand and this is something the Missouri-based manufacturer enjoys being a part of.

“We love being in this community and many of us love boating,” says Lowe Marketing Manager Beverly Ramsey. “So it makes sense to get involved with events like this poker run and get someone new into boating with a prize pontoon.”

The pontoon package includes a Mercury four-stroke outboard engine as well as a trailer and just like Julie Young from Kansas City, Mo., found out last year, anyone can win. Young was handed the keys to a Lowe pontoon after randomly drawing four Kings that day to take top honors.

“I have never won anything ever before, I have no luck whatsoever so this is pretty neat,” said Julie after the poker run last year.

Added her husband Jacob, “We had heard about the poker run through the magazine and we woke up this morning and it was kind of a last minute decision to head over to Captain Ron’s and give it a try. It turned out to be a great idea and we couldn’t be any more excited about winning this Lowe.”

Anniversary Milestone

Last fall the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout board of directors announced the hiring of Christy Janssen as the new executive director for the Shootout and she’s been busing ever since making sure the 30th anniversary will be bigger and better than ever.

“Christy brings a lot of experience in event coordinating and fundraising,” said Shootout Board VP Mark Maasen. “She will be a great asset to the organization and will help the board take the event to the next level.”

Included in Janssen’s responsibilities is the Lil Boat & Pontoon Boat Poker Run and for the last five years Jim and Kelli Case from Border X’pressions have sponsored and organized the run. This year with Janssen’s help, Jim and Kelli are teaming up with PDB magazine to make this event even bigger.

“We had a lot of success and support last year with our own poker run but felt by combining our event with what Border X’pressions was already doing we could make the Lil Boat & Pontoon Poker Run the best poker run on the Lake of the Ozarks,” said PDB Publisher Greg Larsen.

Captain Ron’s

Once again the final gathering spot will be at Captain Ron’s Buccaneer Bay Resort in Sunrise Beach, Mo., but unlike last year more stops have been added so more people can participate.

“There will be 13 stops and they’ll be located at both ends of the lake with a free shuttle service at Big Thunder Marine where you can dock your boat and be shuttled over to Captain Ron’s,” says Janssen. “Participants will only need to visit seven of the stops with the last one being Captain Ron’s.”

How To Play

To enter there is a $100 boat registration fee that includes one t-shirt and a poker hand. Additional poker hands can be purchased for $25 or five hands for $100 and additional t-shirts will be available for $20 while supplies last. After you’ve gone to the six poker stops of your choice on the lake – and at your own pace – you then head back to Captain Ron’s. At the final stop the best poker hands will go home with great prizes, including the Lowe pontoon package. Good news, the first-place winner is not the only one who will go home with a prize. There will be some amazing rewards for runners-up including water toys from Rave Sports and other great prizes.  

Participants are encouraged to register online and it will not only save time, but it will also assure you’ll get the t-shirt size you want, plus Border X’pressions has been known to have some impressive goodie bags too.  

For A Good Cause

For those still trying to decide, Janssen sums it up best.

“You can win a boat! That’s about the biggest reason to come out other than to support the local charities,” adds Janssen. “It’s for boats 32-foot and under and the lake will be calmer after the holiday weekend so it’s a great time to get out on the water.”

Not only is the poker run a great excuse to get out on the Lake of the Ozarks and have a great time while attempting to win a pontoon boat, it also helps the community.

“The Shootout and the Poker Run help 30 local charities as well as eight fire departments so the goal has always been to help people,” says Janssen. “We want to make sure kids have beds and shoes to wear to school as well as help the animal shelters. When it comes down to it, this event really is about helping those in the community.”

Motor over in your own boat or simply rent one from one of the nearby marinas to check out the fun the second Saturday after Labor Day (originally postponed because of weather). If you want to register now or are looking for more details, jump on to www.lakeoftheozarksshootout.org to get started. Who knows? Maybe this year it could be you holding the keys to the Lowe pontoon!

For details on the Lil Boat & Pontoon Poker Run click here!