Later Gator Poker Run

What's a Poker Run?

A poker run is an organized event where participants travel via boats and must visit five checkpoints, drawing a playing card at each one. The object is to have the best poker hand at the end of the run. The event itself has a time limit, however the participants are not timed—winning is purely a matter of chance.

The Event:

The SWFL Gator Club proudly presents our first ever Later Gator Poker Run! We are a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization located in sunny Southwest Florida. We are affiliated with The University of Florida Alumni Association and all of our monies raised goes directly towards providing scholarships to local students attending UF.

Please join us on Saturday, June 12th for our Later Gator Poker Run. This charity event will be by boat and include 5 stops. The stops are Tarpon Lodge, Cabbage Key, Doc Ford's, Matanzas on the Bay, with the last stop being at the amazing Shrimp Dock at Salty Sam's Marina.

Each of our stops will be at one of SWFL's beautiful waterfront restaurants that has plenty of dock space for our boats to dock, go in and get their card from the SWFL Gator Club table, and enjoy an appetizer, drinks, etc.

This is not a race! We encourage our participants to relax and enjoy the day on the water and at our amazing partner restaurants. All boats will have plenty of time to make it to each stop and enjoy a cocktail, get some water, freshen up, grab a snack, etc. All boats need to be at Salty Sam's Marina, the final stop, for their last card by 4:00 pm. The best hand wins, no matter the order you return!

Go Gators! Chomp Chomp!

The Details:

• $500/boat, up to 5 people (including the captain). $100/person for every person after the initial 5.
• Participants must be over the age of 21.
• This price includes a long sleeve, dry fit shirt for each participant, a "swag bag" for each participant, filled with lots of goodies, a complimentary item/boat from each of the 5 stops, an extra special "captain's bag" for our team leader, and docktail party and dinner at the final stop.
• Event starts at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 12th. The week of the event, the captain of each vessel will receive (we will deliver it to you!) a complimentary "captain's bag" that includes an orange or blue Gator flag to fly during the event, along with some other bonus goodies for our captains. They will have approximately 2-3 hours to get their first card, go to their second stop , get their second card, and then head to their third stop on Fort Myers Beach.
• Stops 3, 4, and 5 will be on Fort Myers Beach. Boats will have approximately 2 more hours to get their 3rd and 4th poker cards and be at Salty Sam's, final stop, by 4:00 pm.
• Shrimp Dock will be the location for our docktail party! Here, all boats will receive their last card. While the hands are being reviewed, the SWFL Gator Club will provide dinner for all participants. We will then do awards and prizes.
• Prizes and awards for the top hand are epic, trust us!
• Limited Capacity: we will be capping this event to ensure enough dock space for all participants therefore it's important that you sign up now! You don't want to miss this event!
• Bring cash for our "extras"! At Tarpon Lodge, you will have the opportunity to purchase a raffle ticket for $20/ticket. The winning raffle ticket gets a 2 night stay at the beautiful Tarpon Lodge Inn! At Matanzas on the Bay, participants will have the opportunity to "buy a 6th card". For only $20, teams may purchase a 6th card that is guaranteed to be a face card. Teams will also get a free jell-o shot with the purchase of their 6th card (#worthit!)

Sponsorship Levels:

We are actively seeking businesses that may be interested in sponsoring this event. Remember, all proceeds go directly toward SWFL students that are attending or will be attending The University of Florida. On average, the SWFL Gator Club awards $12,000 per year in scholarships! For sponsorship questions, please contact Alicia Miller at [email protected].

• Royal Flush (Title Sponsor)- $5,000 This level includes 1 boat entry with 5 persons included. Additional persons are welcome to join your party at a cost of $100 per person. The logo on all swag bags, logo on back of our long sleeve, dry fit shirts, logo on the Eventbrite registration page, an individualized social media "brag" post with logo, recognition in all event-related email blasts.
• Full House (Swag Bag Sponsor)- $2,500 This level includes 1 boat entry with 5 persons included. Additional persons are welcome to join your party at a cost of $100 per person. The logo on all swag bags, logo on the Eventbrite registration page, an individualized social media "brag" post with logo, recognition in all event-related email blasts. -SOLD OUT
• 4 of a Kind (Shirt Sponsor)- $2,000 This level includes the logo down the sleeve of our long sleeve, dry fit shirts, logo on the Eventbrite registration page, an individualized social media "brag" post with logo, recognition in all event-related email blasts. -SOLD OUT
• Straight (Event Dinner Sponsor)- $1,500 This level includes 1 boat entry with 5 persons included. Additional persons are welcome to join your party at a cost of $100 per person. The logo on the back of all of our long sleeve, dry fit shirts, logo on the Eventbrite registration page, an individualized social media "brag" post with logo, recognition in all event-related email blasts. Also, special recognition at our dinner. -SOLD OUT
• Two Pair (Yeti Sponsor)- $1,000 This level includes the logo on the back of all our long sleeve, dry fit shirts and logo on the Eventbrite registration page, an individualized social media "brag" post with logo, recognition in all event-related email blasts. Also, special recognition at our award ceremony. -SOLD OUT

Poker Run Stops (keep in mind that this was our order but you are welcome to go in whatever order is best for you and your crew, depending on where you are starting from, as long as you end with Shrimp Dock):

1. Tarpon Lodge
2. Cabbage Key
3. Doc Ford's
4. Matanzas on the Bay
5. Shrimp Dock at Salty Sam's Marina

*Be sure to check out the SWFL Gator Club's "dry run" (that wasn't very dry!) for more information on locations, swag, and docking tips, and directions! *

Thank You, Sponsors!

• Thank you to Salty Sam's Marina for hosting our docktail party. Delicious food and drinks and lots of fun swag!
• Thank you to our four other restaurants; Tarpon Lodge, Cabbage Key, Doc Ford's, and Matanzas on the Bay. We couldn't do it without you!
• Thank you to Val Ward Cadillac for being our "Swag Bag" sponsor. Each participant will receive a drawstring reusable bag with lots of swag, goodies, and gator gear inside, all thanks to you!
• Thank you to Markle Tile for being our "Flag Sponsor"! Each captain will receive an orange OR blue flag that will help our club know who's participating. This couldn't be done without the help of Markle Tile!
• Thank you to Marquis Wealth Management Group and Wear the Fund for being our t-shirt sponsors! Perfect for boating, long sleeve, dry fit custom shirts will now be given to all participants!
• Thank you to Stokes Marine for being our "Captain's Bag" sponsor! Our team leaders will receive a special captain's bag with extra goodies, including a Gator flag to fly on their boat the day of the event (and every other day!)
• Thank you to MAB Homes for being our "Dinner Sponsor". This allows all participants to get a delicious full dinner and one drink at the final stop while we review the poker hands and present awards.
• Thank you to Diversified Yacht Services for being our "Signature Drink" sponsor! Now each participant will receive not one, but TWO free drinks at our docktail party!

Host or Publisher The Southwest Florida Gator Club