DEWEES INVITATIONAL
20+ Years of Tradition
The DeWees Invitational has never been defined by one game. It has grown from cards, to football and poker, to golf and poker—changing with the years while preserving the reason it began.
In years past, Kerry would play football with friends on Thanksgiving Day. Later, his brother-in-law began hosting a formal-dress poker tournament on Black Friday. Eventually, both traditions came to an end, and Kerry missed them. That sparked the idea of combining the best parts of both—with plenty of food included. That was the very beginning: one man, two events, and one idea for something new. The DeWees Invitational was born. Football was the sport and poker was the game, but friends were the purpose.
The heart of the Invitational is the annual gathering itself: a group of friends, genuine competition, plenty of laughter, and stories that become part of the next year’s event.
Read the story →
The Invitational began as an annual event centered on friends and cards. DI III in 2008 introduced the first formal poker tournament, won by Mike Herman. By the fifth annual event, “The Bracelet Year” had already created a piece of history worth preserving.
For many years, the day developed its familiar rhythm: football, food, then the poker tournament.
Golf replaced football, bringing a welcome new chapter without changing the purpose of the Invitational.
Kerry’s actual tee shot during the practice round at Overlook Golf Course on July 19, 2024.
Select a year to see that Invitational’s story, events and poker champ.
The DeWees Invitational began in 2006 as an annual event built around friends and cards. It was always a DeWees Invitational event, but there was not yet a formal poker tournament.
Nineteen Invitationals. Ten official poker champions. Four men have won more than once.
Bracelets, rings, trophies and annual awards have evolved alongside the event.
A side tradition memorable enough to earn its own trophy and its own chapter.
Logos, invitations, shirts and artwork make each year recognizable while remaining part of one story.
The small touches—the chips, jokes, awards and recurring moments—give the Invitational its personality.
Golf, poker, the championship, and the moments in between.
Two-time champion · 2010 & 2026
GOLF CHAMPIONSJoe B. · Jon W. · Kyle R. · Kerry D.
This site is designed to keep growing—one event, one champion, one photograph and one story at a time.
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