The first-ever, all-inclusive, winner-take-all poker run set a new benchmark on Florida's Atlantic coast. ---- Special report by Stu McDonald
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Adrenaline flowed throughout the weekend as the first annual Platinum Poker Run thundered into Stuart, Florida, ushering in a new era of all-inclusive poker run excitement. With five-star accommodations, gourmet food, golf, shopping, and an exotic car display, the Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort and Marina was the place to be for this upscale Poker Runs America event. After fourteen months in the planning stage, the newest addition to the Poker Runs America Tour was the first opportunity for performance boating enthusiasts to enjoy an all-inclusive, high-rollers event on the Palm Coast of Florida. After many months of searching for the perfect venue, a first-class hotel and an area where the modern performance boaters could strut their stuff, the event was a go, and early in 2006 the invitations went out to poker runners, to join Poker Runs America for their first event on Florida¡¯s Atlantic coast. On the 22nd of September 2006 the golden shores of the east coast of Florida turned Platinum as the Poker Runs America Tour, presented by Mercury Racing, arrived for the inaugural Hutchinson Island Platinum Invitational. And for the first time ever at an invitational poker run, the event included center console models. After all, with hi-tech hull designs, powerful outboard engines (in twin or triple engine configurations), and state-of-the-art rigging techniques, these powerhouses are becoming a new breed of performance boats and have the ability to take on the rough stuff just as the better-known V-bottoms and cats. The Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort and Marina is an all-encompassing venue, where boat manufacturers and engine builders have held exclusive dealer meetings for years ¨C excellent docking facilities just minutes from the deluxe rooms make this venue ideal for poker runs and other marine activities. Indeed, the Platinum Poker Run weekend could have been described as a boat show preview for 2007, as manufacturers turned up in force with their new products. Friday saw a influx of power to the docks, and for the first time ever at a Poker Runs America event, all entrants were invited to play a round of golf on the 18-hole course that surrounds the hotel. With golf clubs returned to their bags and the boats moored at the docks, it was time to stroll around the boat and exotic car exhibits, presented by the various marine and automotive manufacturers, showcased outside of the front entrance of the hotel. Meanwhile, at the slips the performance was just pulsing. Joe Trapuzzano was ready to run in his 29' Velocity, while another Velocity contender was Wesley Szanyl, as he showed up with his 32'. Joe Spina of Cobra Power, too, was seen around at the slips, with his stylin' 36' Nor-Tech, Loose Cannon (He was later seen on the run, spending more time in the air than on the water!). And looking as sharp as ever, donning new, neatly-pressed racing attire, was John Gregorio II and his crew. John is the owner of a 42' Cigarette. Additionally, several performance boating personalities were in attendance including Skip Braver and Neil Hernandez of Cigarette Racing, Donzi Marine's Gene Weeks, and Steve Stepp of Velocity Power Boats. Outerlimit's Paul and Mike Fiore were also at the event with some striking new models along with their event rig, which is able to assist anyone with spare parts or other problems. Nor-Tech North, too, traveled from Ontario, bringing with them a new 36¡¯ Nor-Tech cat. The evening continued with a fabulous Hawaiian luau, as the Tiki Bar became the hub of excitement for the poolside party provided by Cigarette Racing. Cocktails were flowing freely as the Hawaiian themed party, with live entertainment, got into full swing and continued until late in the evening. Thanks go to Skip Braver and all the Cigarette Team for a great evening. Many of the guests then adjourned to the hotel restaurant to sample some of the local culinary delights before heading to their rooms to prepare for a long day on the water. After the mandatory drivers meeting, where Dave Kirkland ran down the safety information and outlined the course, engines were started at 10:30 a.m., and the pace boats led the eager fleet out of the marina, down the ICW to the Stuart Inlet. Alongside Poker Runs America¡¯s 42¡¯ Fountain, driven by Bill Taylor, was the 38¡¯ Formula being driven by Vic Spellberg. Vic has manned a pace boat at several Poker Runs America events over the years, but this weekend his assistance was invaluable. Vic is local to the area and knows all the intricacies of navigating the various cuts, out into the Atlantic Ocean and back again safely. Due to speed limits, no-wake zones and Manatee areas, most of the day¡¯s run was out on the open Ocean. (Page Top) Exiting through the Stuart Inlet can be quite scary at times but not for Kenny Dean aboard his new 40¡¯ Skater, Scaredy Cat. The brand new Skater was on its first poker run in the expert hands of this long time poker runner. Other new boats and poker runners included, John Papa, on his first poker run, aboard his 38¡¯Eliminator. Gino Garguilo, the Oil Can Man, who was at the controls of his new ¡°Lube Jobs,¡± a 42¡¯ MTI, Tim Hunt brought back the famous Scarab name, this time in the form of a new 30-foot center console from Wellcraft, powered by twin Mercury 300 hp outboards. Another center console Scarab was the ¡°General Lee¡± powered by triple Evinrude Outboards. Of course, Hideaway Marina had their Deep Impact center console as a card boat. After an exciting high-speed run it was time to slow down and pick up a card from the card boat anchored off the Palm Bay Inlet. We would like to thank all the volunteers who helped out on at this event by supplying card boats and their valuable time. With cards in hand it was time to hit the throttles for the run north to Jupiter Inlet. With the boats on plane, and the flags dropped, poker runners enjoyed five-six-foot rollers ¨C the cats, deep vee¡¯s and center consoles took the waves beautifully and the water was perfect for all types of boats. If you wanted air, you just paced yourself to the rhythm of the waves ¨C the photo opportunities were outstanding, with dozens of spectacular shots added to the Poker Runs America website. After the exhilaration of the high speed run, everyone converged at Jupiter, where the fleet pulled into the Crab House Dockside Restaurant for a superb seafood lunch. To cope with the arrival of the boats, Jetty¡¯s Restaurant and Seasport Marina allowed us to use their docks. Thanks to all the staff at the Crab House for their excellent service. All too soon it was time to head back out onto the Atlantic for the long, high-speed run to the fourth card stop at the Ft. Pierce Inlet. The Ocean was being good for the most part, but after the third leg of the run, highlighted by choppy wave action resembling pneumatic road drills, some crews decided to take the calmer, yet slower waters of the ICW back to Hutchinson¡¯s Resort Marina, where a cocktail party welcomed boaters from their day on the water. The Platinum Poker Run culminated in a gala banquet, showcasing the gourmet menu that has made the Hutchinson Island Marriott Beach Resort a favorite dining choice in the Palm Coast region. Over the course of the evening, Danielle Gaudreau of Hideaway Marina put together a live and silent auction to benefit Pet Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), a charitable effort of the Humane Society of Broward County in Ft. Lauderdale. Dozens of items, donated by sponsors and poker runners, included in the awesome list were items of jewelry, watches, swords and racing collectables from the past. Items such as Richie Powers World Championship winning race suit, with Richie there in person to autograph the items, the bidding was brisk and PAWS ended up winners with a large donation to the charity. When the cards were revealed for this ¡®Winner Take All¡¯ event, the best hand was held by the new owner of one of the smaller boats in the fleet. What a great welcome to poker runs it was for Robert Palmer from Daytona Beach, driving his new 29¡¯ Velocity ¡°El Capitan.¡± His navigator was none other than Kenny Hohweisner, of Velocity Boats. The ¡°Best Graphics¡± award went to Gino Garguilo for his 42¡¯ MTI ¡°Lube Jobs,¡± The ¡°Best Dressed Crew¡± award was presented to Outerlimits, and the ¡°Most Exotic Engine Compartment¡± was given to Vic Spellberg in the 382 Fas3tech-Formula.

Sponsor List:
MERCURY RACING
AQUA TOY STORE
CIGARETTE RACING
CUSTOM MARINE
DONZI MARINE
FAST FINANCE
FOUNTAIN POWERBOATS
GEM COUTURE
HIDEAWAY MARINA
LAKE CUMBERLAND MARINE
LATHAM MARINE
MYCO TRAILERS
NOR-TECH NORTH
OUTERLIMITS
PIER 57
RIO ROSES
SONIC,MARES & DAKOTA BOATS
VELOCITY POWERBOATS
YACHT CLUBS OF THE AMERICAS

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