“Tyler’s Team” Charity Poker Classic “Hits A Grand Slam”

Marcus Ivy, the 2013 Tyler’s Team Poker Champ (photo courtesy of TMF)

(courtesy of TMF)

Wellington, Fla. – Kevin and Karin McLellan of Wellington they have done just about everything to raise money to help keep South Florida kids in youth sports, then a friend and supporter mentioned a Poker tournament.  Well that was three years ago, and on Sunday March 24th they held what has become a fun and great charity event to attend.  This year, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Palm Beach County PAL program.

The 3rd Annual “TYLERS TEAM” Charity Poker Classic started as the registered players were treated to a beautiful buffet while mingling with the crowd and viewing the items in the silent auction.  The event started with TMF co-founder Karin McLellan welcoming everyone and explaining how and why the foundation was started, followed by her husband Kevin joining her to announce the bounties for the event and say thank you to all sponsors, supporters and players on hand. (Miami Dolphin Jim Jensen, Miami Dolphin Fanatic “The Fred”, WSOP players Abbey Daniels and Maurice Hawkins, along with previous TMF top five finalists Barry Struhl 2011, Michelle Erb 2012, Mike Andovic 2012, they even got their sponsors Matt Wagerer of The Shirt Guru, and Andy O’Brian of MD NOW involved) “This is a charity tournament, we want people to come in, relax , eat and have fun while playing,  said Kevin McLellan.

The room was getting filled up as seventy players sat down to play poker to see who would win the cash and prize ticket to the World Series of Poker in February.  All players that knocked out the bounties were each given gift cards to various local restaurants and businesses, along with massage chips, every player also had a chance to win special prizes which included tickets to a Florida Panthers and Florida Marlins game, and a gift certificate at the Paddock Restaurant.

McLellan added, “Our actual player numbers were down, but this years poker event raised the most money of the past two years events going over $5500.00. We are very happy, we saw people who have played in this event every year, along with people who played in it for the first time, and everyone had a great time”.  We want to thank everyone who supported our event this year, and we hope to see them again next year.

The final table got down to two players:  Marcus Ivy and Jeff Charlton at 7:30pm and neither wanted to give up the WSOP seat.  The next hand Jeff Charlton went “All In” with pocket Jacks and Marcus Ivy called him with pocket Queens. The flop came out with the Queen to give Marcus the 1st place prize. What a exciting way to end the tournament!

The event was presented by the Palm Beach Kennel Club and sponsored and supported by:  The Shirt Guru, MD NOW, BB Kings Blues Club, Divine Pixel, Golden Corral, ESPN 760, Boston’s On the Beach, Bonefish Mac’s, Flanigan’s, Smokey Bones BBQ, Poker Action Line, Publix, Walmart, Delray’s Finest Signs, Amenity Pro, Ante Up Magazine and Applebee’s.

The Tyler McLellan Foundation was started after the McLellan’s lost their 15-year old son in an “Angel Flight” plane crash in Tampa on July 17, 2008.  Since then, they have done everything‘s y could to raise money for youth sports in South Florida.    The foundation is geared towards rewarding perseverance and not allowing a family’s finances to hold players back.

You can visit their website at: www.tylermclellanfoundation.org for information on future events call Kevin McLellan at: (561) 215-3717