Poker tournament to help scholarship fund

By Cassie Tomlin

Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008 | midnight

On Sept. 20, a love of poker won't necessarily be what unites players in a tournament at the Hacienda. Neither will love of money or even philanthropy, though it's a fundraiser.

The players who show up are most likely to share a love for Shane Patton, the namesake behind the second annual Shane Patton Scholarship Foundation Poker Tournament.

Patton, a 2000 Boulder City High School graduate and Navy SEAL, was killed in Afghanistan in 2005 when his helicopter was shot down.

Last year, his best friend Grant Turner started the foundation and organized the first tournament, which raised $7,000 for seven $1,000 college scholarships to Boulder City High seniors.

"What I learned last year, more than carrying on his name and providing kids with education, was the tournament was a good opportunity for getting all his brothers, his dad and his friends in one place just to have a good time," Turner said. "Going into it, I never expected that, but it ended up being in my opinion almost therapeutic."

The Texas hold 'em tournament is limited to 100 players and has a $50 buy-in with unlimited $20 re-buys. The winner gets half the prize pool, and the other half will be split among the top nine players.

Turner said he encourages anyone to come, with or without playing.

"It was an awesome time," he said of last year's event. "People had a blast — they were playing loose and hooting and hollering."

Donations may also be sent to 417 Ash St.

Cassie Tomlin can be reached at 948-2073 or cassie.tomlin@hbcpub.com.