The Gabe Kapler Foundation - 2005 Charity Poker Tournament

Charity Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament

Run by the Men's Resource Center
all proceeds to benefit the Gabe Kapler Foundation
Helping to end the cycle of domestic violence

Wednesday, December 7, 2005

Crowne Plaza Hotel

2 Forbes Road - Woburn, MA

What an amazing evening!

The poker tournament was a vehicle used to bring together an enthusiastic crowd that came to help raise domestic violence awareness and help to fund the work of the Gabe Kapler Foundation. In the weeks leading up to the event, Gabe spent quite a bit of time in numerous radio interviews where he talked about baseball in Boston, lent an 'insiders' perspective to all the off-season activities, and educated the public about domestic violence and the Foundation's efforts to fight it.

The Men's Resource Center For Change sponsored the tournament and worked with the City of Woburn to secure the necessary permits for the evening. It was not an easy task, they put forth an enormous effort. Once all the requirements were clearly understood with the City of Woburn and the Woburn Police Department everything fell right into place.

The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Woburn, MA really went out of their way to accommodate the tournament. Our point person, Melinda Lima, channeled our requests, worked with hotel management, and delivered an elegant environment at a substantial discount. The Head Chef even donated his time to prepare all the food. Our hats are off to all of them.

Capone's Poker Tables did a fantastic job of providing top notch tables, poker chips, oversaw the poker activities, and trained the volunteer poker dealers.

Many celebrity players joined us for the evening and were pretty well distributed at the tables so that many of the guests got to play a few hands with one or more of the celebrities. During the first break Charlie Moore (the "Mad Fisherman" from New England Sports Network and ESPN) was our auctioneer. What a character! He did a fantastic job of soliciting bids and entertaining the crowd at the same time. Thanks Charlie!!

The excitement grew as the field of players grew smaller and smaller. When the field was down to 10 players they were consolidated to the 'final table'. The crowd watched each bet and each hand as if it were their own. One by one, they were knocked out of the tournament. Right about midnight the final two players went into 'heads up' play. In the end, David Zaff of Brockton, Mass was the big winner! Congratulations David!!

Thanks to everyone for joining us and helping us to fight domestic violence!

A few photos of the final table... (photos of the entire evening will be posted shortly)

And the winners were.....

David Zaff of Brockton, MA

1st Place

A seat at the Borgata Winter Open WPT Tournament at the Borgata Casino & Spa in Atlantic City
Hotel accommodations during the tournament
Roundtrip airfare to Atlantic City