By LYNNE CONLAN
Executive director, Sun City Center Area Chamber of Commerce
If you were out and about in Sun City Center last Friday between 1 and 3 p.m., you may have wondered why there were a bunch of golf carts driving in formation around town. Mystery solved. It was the chamber’s monthly Golf Cart Poker Run, an afternoon that always promises food, fun and camaraderie.
For those of you who have never participated, here’s how it works. On the first Friday of every month from October through May, seven businesses that are chamber members sign up to become stops along the Sun City Center golf-cart path. Golf cart drivers and their passengers stop by each of these local businesses to get a tour, some refreshments and handouts, and most importantly, a poker card.
The visit gives our members the chance to explain their products or services to residents — their potential customers. The riders get to meet these owners or their designated representatives and the other residents who join the ride.
The chamber is always the last stop, where participants discard their worst two cards to try to form a winning poker hand. Those with the top three hands get a prize, and the refreshments and camaraderie continue.
This past week’s members included Gabriel Mbulo, of Edward Jones, Superior Care Pharmacy and Encore Bank. Participants got the inside scoop on the upcoming Chamber Cup Classic golf tournament April 20.
Our group consisted of people who have participated before, some newbies and two ladies from Canada who promised to join us again when they’re back in town.
Here’s how you can become involved. If you’re a member business located along the golf-cart path, you simply need to sign up and stock up on handouts, which could include brochures, fliers, promotional items and/or refreshments. If you don’t have a storefront along the golf-cart path, we’ll set you up with a table at the chamber. Members pay only $50 to become a stop.
Golf-cart drivers or passengers pay $10 per person, which enables them to join the entourage and play poker.
There are only two more golf cart poker runs left for this season – April 6 and May 4 – which is close to my birthday, in case you wanted to bake a cake or something.
To participate, please call me at 813-634-5111 so I can reserve your space. We ask participants to RVSP at least the day before the poker run to give all our stops a head count.
I look forward to seeing everyone April 6 or May 4. Remember food, fun, camaraderie and poker!