Cards & Clubs Invitational Launches Hybrid Poker and Golf Competition at PGA National Resort in January 2027
The Cards & Clubs Invitational debuts Jan. 11-13, 2027 at PGA National Resort, pairing 18-hole golf scrambles with tag-team poker for a curated mix of executives, players and creators. Created by Tom Wheaton, the event prioritizes competition alongside relationship-building and organic content. It taps into the established overlap between poker and golf communities.
SCCG Take — This format offers operators a template for targeted networking events that blend hospitality with competition. Success will hinge on execution of the curated guest list and measurable partnership yields.
A unique competition merging poker and golf will debut early next year in South Florida. The Cards & Clubs Invitational (CCI) is scheduled for Jan. 11-13, 2027 at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach. Created by longtime poker industry figure Tom Wheaton, the event will assemble a deliberately curated group of executives, important clients, strategic partners, golf talent, poker personalities, creators and invited guests for two nights of competition, hospitality and relationship-building, according to reporting by PokerNews.
Hybrid Format Blends Scramble Golf With Tag Team Poker
The competition will feature four-person teams in an 18-hole scramble golf format before moving to an indoor tag team poker tournament, a style popularized at events like the World Series of Poker. Combined results from both segments will decide the overall Cards & Clubs team champion and recipient of the Cards & Clubs Cup.
“Golf and poker both give people a reason to compete, but they also give people time together,” Wheaton said in a written statement. Wheaton added that the Cards & Clubs is about “bringing the right people together, giving them a great experience and creating the kind of time where relationships and organic content can develop.”
The Faded Spade and Above the Felt founder shared on X that he has “been working on this quietly for a while” and said “it’s pretty cool to finally have the … Invitational out publicly.” The inaugural field remains under development and will center on Founding Teams, business leaders, clients, partners, golf and poker personalities, creators and other invited guests.
Poker and golf share a lengthy history of overlap. The late Doyle Brunson was known for his wild golf prop bets. Daniel Negreanu has built a reputation for competitiveness on the fairway.
Why Curated Gatherings Matter for the Sector
Events of this type underscore the role of shared experiences in forging connections across gaming and sports communities. The specific timing and venue selection at a course noted for its “Bear Trap” stretch signal deliberate attention to atmosphere and setting. Operators and partners will watch whether this model produces measurable follow-on business or content outcomes from the curated attendance.
Reporting: PokerNews
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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