Vegas Experts Praise BK Bettors After NFL SuperContest Victory

Vegas betting experts know one thing better than anyone else in the world: the calculated, mathematical odds of victory. So when the BK Golf Services team won the Las Vegas Hilton Casino NFL SuperContest last month, experts at bettor’s publication Gaming Today took notice, noting that our team of Las Vegas golf connoisseurs scored a percentage record in the U.S.’s most prestigious handicapping competition.

The contest, which pitted us against 516 rivals in the Hilton’s largest-ever entry field, required us to pick 5 NFL games against the spread. Starting with just $1500, Vegas golf company founder Brady Kannon and his team—known in the contest as Sans Souci—won the grand prize of $320,200 with a record 60.5 points. They went 58-22-5, hitting at a 72.5 percent clip and winning by 2½ points over Pagermager, who settled for the second-place prize of $124,080 after going 56-25-4 (69 percent).

“We showed that fairly regular guys can compete against the best paid pro handicappers,” Kannon told Gaming Today in their piece published in an issue earlier this month. “We approached each week the same way, not paying much attention to everyone else’s plays. We had our own routine, stuck to it and are so happy to have won.”

Kannon and his team are no strangers to great picks. BK Golf Services offers clients access to the best Las Vegas golf courses without a membership. Public, private, exclusive and even professional courses are on the menu. But only the best clubs will do. This choosey mentality came in handy in the SuperContest, which required the foursome to choose NFL winners with near-perfect accuracy.

For these regular guys, it is back to business as usual, except of course for the prize money. The team came away with $320,000, to split between the team, which consisted of Kannon, Robert Oseland, Paul Caruso and James Gallo. Picking games is just a hobby for this foursome. Oseland is the former COO at Wynn Encore, Caruso deals in express bail bonds and Gallo is an attorney.

“I’m glad it’s over,” stated Kannon. “It was a real emotional roller coaster.”

BK’s Bettors Take Top Prize In Hilton NFL SuperContest

Pictured from left to right.. James Gallo, Brady Kannon, Jay Kornegay (VP of Race & Sportsbook), Paul Caruso, Robert Oseland

At BK’s Golf Services, we know how to pick ‘em. Whether its finding you the perfect Las Vegas golf courses or connecting you with the perfect hotels, our detailed selection process has made us famous. But being able to pick winners has made us successful at more than just helping Las Vegas golf enthusiasts. Our selection process took center stage this month when we won the Las Vegas Hilton Casino NFL SuperContest.

The contest, which pitted us against 516 rivals in the Hilton’s largest-ever entry field, required us to pick 5 NFL games against the spread. From a $1500 investment, company founder Brady Kannon and his team—known in the contest as Sans Souci won the grand prize of $320,200 with a record 60.5 points. They went 58-22-5, hitting at a 72.5 percent clip and winning by 2½ points over Pagermager, who settled for the second-place prize of $124,080 after going 56-25-4 (69 percent).

This victory has given us a lot of coverage on ESPN Insider and various gambling blogs. What most reporters saw in our team’s winning strategy was our ability to work together as a team to make picks.

“We’re a diverse group, so we all have a different point of view and way of handicapping, so we didn’t have all favorites or all underdogs but a nice mix every week,” Kannon told Dave Tuley, in his column for ESPN this week. The rest of the team consisted of Robert Oseland, 45, a former casino executive at Wynn Resorts who left his post early in 2011; James Gallo, 42, an attorney and Las Vegas native; and Paul Caruso, 40, also a native who owns Express Bail Bonds.

The victory has also drawn a lot of attention from Las Vegas golf club members, NFL fans and gamblers from across the country on social media sites like Twitter. Our Twitter account, @lasvegasgolfer, has received thousands of hits in the past few days and we are excited to show people the best golf Las Vegas has to offer, as well as connecting people with services across the strip and maybe a few winning football picks too.

For more information on the Sans Souci victory story, check out the ESPN Insider article here.

Yelp Followers Sing The Praises Of BK’s

With the holiday shopping season drawing to a close and a New Year upon us, retailers have wondered what drew the most traffic to their business this holiday season, and how they can keep it going throughout 2012. According to web marketing experts at BazaarVoice.com, 83% of all holiday shoppers are influenced by customer reviews, and 84% of consumers said they were more likely to check online for reviews prior to making a purchase compared to twelve months ago, according to a recent survey by Brand Reputation.

Online reviews are especially important to Las Vegas golf course owners and agents, who work with travelers to book local rooms and Vegas golf packages. According to online travel consultants Digital Visitor, A positive review is almost as influential as price or special offers when it comes down to making the decision to book online. A recent online travel booking poll, conducted by Webcredible revealed that 29% of consumers consider positive reviews as the most likely factor to make them book a holiday online. The only factor identified as more important than reviews was price, with 38% of consumers identifying online prices and special offers as the factor most likely to make them book a holiday online.

By this measure, BK’s Golf Services is having a very good year. Our holiday sales are better than we could have ever imagined and customer reviews have never been better. Most visitors comment on our expert staff and their insider knowledge of the best Las Vegas courses.

One comment summed up perfectly what we are trying to do at LVTeeTimes.com. And it came at the height of our shopping season. This customer booked with us, accessed our staffers for information and got access to the club he was looking for.

“My Bro turned me on to Brady at BK’s when we went to some shows at Cirque Week. Not knowing the local golf terrain at all, we called Brady who was quick and efficient and set us up with our rounds at darn good rates. We had a great time and will do this again in the spring when we hope to come out again. Thanks Brady.”

No, thank you Jim B. We look forward to serving more of you in the New Year. Keep those comments coming!

Las Vegas Golf Courses Prepare For Super Bowl Weekend

Las Vegas is a town built for sports lovers. Bookmakers will take any bet—from who will win versus the point spread to who is more likely to fumble or miss a free throw—and the odds, news and strategy of sport are traded like currency. So it should come as no surprise that the Super Bowl is one of the Strip’s busiest weekends. But football lovers are not the only ones having fun this Super Bowl Weekend. Las Vegas golf clubs are already preparing events, travel packages and rounds dedicated to America’s largest sporting contest.

Rhodes Ranch, Bear’s Best, and Primm Valley are all working with local hotels to offer all-inclusive Las Vegas golf packages for Super Bowl Weekend. As one of the busiest days for bars and restaurants across the nation, the Super Bowl is the biggest day for sports gambling as well, making Las Vegas the place to be. As many sports enthusiasts also love to play, Las Vegas golf courses offer the ability to do so without venturing far off the strip.

Along with all-inclusive packages, many Las Vegas courses are offering incentives to bring your party to their establishment. Restaurants offer food specials, club bars host watch parties and some clubs will even help you make hotel arrangements.

While many private clubs will not allow guests on busier days, many travel and Vegas golf sites offer access to even the most exclusive, private clubs on busy weekends like the weekend of the Super Bowl. But make sure to get reservations in as soon as possible, as many packages, discounts and tee times will book up fast. Make your bet a safe one for Vegas golf this Super Bowl Weekend.

Reserving Your Las Vegas Golf Course Event

One might not think of Las Vegas as the preferred location for golfing. Instead, most people might consider Las Vegas as the place to go for visiting casinos and having a good time. What better place though to spend a day relaxing on the links with your friends or colleagues while waiting for the busy night activities?

Most people are probably not aware of the top ranked golf courses in the country. However, out of the top 100 courses ranked in the United States, Las Vegas is actually home to one of the courses ranked in the top 10. If you’ve ever dreamed of playing on one of the premier courses, then Las Vegas golf offers that opportunity.

Maybe you’re looking to put an event together for some potential business partners and aren’t sure where to start. Golf offers relaxation and the opportunity to talk business while enjoying time out of the office. Las Vegas tee times by BK’s Golf Services is a golf reservation service with expertise on local golf courses. If you’re looking to put a golfing event together, let Las Vegas tee times take care of all the details for you.

Whether you need to coordinate an event for a large group or simply want information on the best local course, Las Vegas tee times by BK’s Golf Services has everything you need. From tee times and club rental to transportation, Las Vegas tee times provides expert service tailored to your specific needs. With Las Vegas tee times your Las Vegas golfing experience is sure to exceed your expectations.

American Beauty

If Memorial Day represents the beginning of Summer and Labor Day signifies the end of the season, than I am happy to say that I barbecued, played golf, and listened to great music on these days specifically, and on many of the days in between.  One of my favorite such instances this Summer was the time spent going to Lake Shasta, California, on up to North Plains, Oregon, back down to Graeagle, California, and finally back to Las Vegas, Nevada.  It’s an 18-hour drive between the ends of the spectrum, Las Vegas and North Plains, so this exploration had to be broken up into a few different trips – which made it all the better.

I found my campsite on Lake Shasta in the early afternoon of day one.  I unloaded a few necessities, including swim trunks, and cooled off with a few jumps into the lake while reflecting on my drive through the Mojave Desert and eventually The Lassen Forest.

While scenery makes for one of the greatest passers of time on a long drive, music adds an incredible back drop.  A collection of mix CD’s made the trip along with me, containing some wonderful roadtrip sounds.  In fact, let me recommend a few to download.. In this order – Windows Are Rolled Down by Amos Lee, Goin’ To Acapulco by Calexico & Jim James, City Of Refuge by Abigail Washburn, American Beauty by Great American Taxi, Susanah by 30db, Baltimore Blues No. 1 by Deer Tick, As I Went Out One Morning by Mira Billotte, Cactus Tree by Joni Mitchell, Girl Of The North Country by Sam Bush, Raining At Sunset by Chris Thile, and finally, Railroad Earth by Railroad Earth.  Get in the car, listen, go.

The next task was dinner and how to get it cooked.  Thankfully my campsite was equipped with a very nice fire pit style grill and a left over log from the previous resident.  I gathered some kindling and tinder and began seasoning my salmon filet.  With a very limited spice cabinet on the road, I employed simply some garlic powder, salt, and black pepper with the salmon – that one can, by the way, find in the frozen section at www.costco.com  Being that it was fish, I cooked it over indirect heat and let it slowly become opaque before digging in.  A scenic drive, great tunes, and finally, a camp out barbecue in the woods along the lake shore.  Not a bad start. 

Rising early and getting on the road quickly, I headed off on the second leg of the adventure – to The 10th Annual Northwest String Summit (http://www.stringsummit.com)  in North Plains, Oregon.  Our hosts, Yonder Mountain String Band, made for a fantastic three days of food, fun, festival, and song but while the holiday was over more many, it was time for me to head back down south, and again not willing to drive for 18-hours, I stopped in Graeagle, California for a few more nights of hiking, camping, grilling.. and yes.. golf! before eventually returning to Las Vegas.

I had heard about some great golf courses in Graeagle, a wonderful little Sierra Nevada mountain town about an hour southwest of Reno, but this time I was going to take a look for myself.  I pulled into Graeagle Meadows Golf Course and checked out the practice facilities, the 18th, first, and 10th holes.  I did a scan of the golf shop, almost bought a really cool Cal Bears Titleist hat, and then asked who had designed the golf course with a notion that the answer was Champagne Tony Lema.  Unfortunately the person working the counter did not know.  Not good.  Every golf shop employee ought to know the answer to that question.  So I never did find out if it was Lema or not.. but not to worry, the rest of my experience was tremendous as I made my way upstairs to the patio for lunch.

An absolutely wonderful grilled burger and of course, when in Rome, a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale to wash ‘er back.  Unbelievably perfect temperatures and a view that didn’t quit, I was now completely understanding why golfers come back here year after year to gather, compete, breathe the fresh air, and enjoy each other’s company.  One of my favorite items at Graeagle Meadows Golf Club, was the place mat that was used for the meal.  It has a small paragraph or two, describing the history behind the name of each hole on the golf course.  18-lessons in history, gold mining, fishing, Indians, farmers, and the elements that both the first settlers and the golf course builders faced.  A wonderful read while listening to the music of the mountain breeze, filling up on a barbecued burger, and sitting atop a golf course beckoning me to come back for more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The song of the day is American Beauty by Great American Taxi.  Check ‘em out at www.greatamericantaxi.com or follow them on Twitter http://twitter.com/gr8americantaxi

Aloha & Mahalo

Of course, good golf, great music, and tasty bbq can be found just about anywhere but it is certainly a treat to be able to assemble the three on the island of Maui, Hawaii.  It was on my recent trip to The Valley Isle that I was able to do just that.

My friends in Hawaii are such unbelievable hosts, some of the kindest folk one will ever encounter.  It was many years ago when my family first started visiting Maui, that the locals insisted we join them for a cookout at a beachside park.  Little did I know that this meant lots of barbecue, fresh pineapple, papaya, mango, rice, pork, short ribs, salad.. and those were just the pupus, right!  This was no picnic but rather a feast.  In line with the Hawaiian hospitality, this was a get together for fun, camraderie, turtle watching, conversation, and tons of food at a very slow, never rushed, pace.  I caught on and signed up immediately.  This was the “Real Old Style” that Keola Beamer refers to in his beautiful Hawaiian slack key song of the same title.  Much aloha, indeed.

We were lucky enough to visit again just recently and at the cookout this year, we were introduced to the famous Maui Red Hot Dog.  The bright red makes up the casing in which the sausages are held and it makes for a great, crispy, snap when biting into the dog.  The taste is noticeably different from a traditional frank but I definitely found it enjoyable.  Kehaulani Cerizo of The Maui News put out an article at virtually the same time that I was sampling my first one, along with a few hamburgers..  http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/551063.html?nav=15&contentsaved=1

The Hawaiian music to me, has always sounded like Hawaii sounds.  Ocean breezes, birds singing, waves crashing, surfboards slapping, coconuts cracking, mai tais pouring, a slack key guitar picking.. many of the songs seem to almost harmonize with the island voices.  It was no different at our beachside cookout – or our visually spectacular round of golf at Kapalua’s famous Plantation Course.

The Plantation Course

Although my scorecard began to look more like improvisational cacouphony, the round was as pleasant as a sunset serenade.  A tremendous amount of elevation change makes up the layout along with a back country, hillside farm setting that you would never expect from a golf course that is just basically across the street from the ocean.  While The Plantation Course is definitely very special, gorgeous, and one of the best in America, it too is fun to play where one has watched Tiger Woods battle Ernie Els down the stretch and on into a playoff.  Nuggets like this add to the flavor and to the sounds of Maui.. that song that seems to just continue in one’s head during time spent on the islands.  Aloha & Mahalo.

The song of the day is “Real Old Style” by Keola Beamer

Magic Happens at 8,750′

We rolled down West Colorado Avenue about 3:15pm local time and as I breathed the air, did a panoramic of those familiar, jaw-dropping vistas, felt the sounds, and tingled with a calming jubilation, I became completely aware that my long anticipated destination was under my own two feet again and I was back in the land that I love so much.

Music, scenery, friends, and family were all at the forefront but with The 38th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival (www.bluegrass.com) always falling on Father’s Day Weekend, this also meant that golf’s national championship was taking place.  Congressional Country Club would be hosting the 111th United States Open.  We had world class music, a world class setting, and major championship golf (via the nearest media or handheld outlet, anyway).  The only item left to find was good barbecue.  Enter the festival vendors! 

For quite some time now, one of my favorite grilled lunch snacks at The Telluride Bluegrass Festival is the all natural, no preservatives, Colorado made bratwurst.  I have cooked and sampled many a good brat but this one, for some reason, is tops on the list.  One interesting item about this tasty festival treat is the condiment of chopped, grilled green peppers that is offered.  I cannot recall ever seeing this particular item offered prior to visiting this vendor and this festival.  A bratwurst here with “everything” comes with sauerkraut, grilled onions, and the aforementioned green peppers.  Of course the traditional toppings; ketchup, mustard, etc. are offered in addition.  I always get the works and top it with a very typical, spicy, deli-style mustard.  I think my first year attending the festival, I had three over the course of our stay.  One of my guests this year was a first timer and after having tried the bratwurst, she considered it whole heartedly, literally licking her lips in thought, at every food decision moment thereafter.

Time then passes, sitting in a lounge chair, and the mind drifts, getting caught up in another melodic set by The Infamous Stringdusters (www.thestringdusters.com) or Emmitt-Nershi (www.emmittnershiband.com) while gazing at the stunning surroundings, and the hint of mustard still lingering on the palate – before remembering that a 22-year old phenom is making a new mark on the world of golf, crushing the field at one of golf’s most challenging championships!  Time to check the phone for another US Open update!  Tiger certainly makes it even more compelling but hey, this is still a major championship and when you combine that with a major stringed instrument and major barbecue, the beloved trio is still well intact.

For the final magic act, long after Rory McIlroy had done his magic, walking with ease over the world’s best players as if it was a grassy meadow in his native Northern Ireland and winning the 111th US Open, it was Telluride and the bluegrass festival that again supplied the spectacle.  The day had threatened thunder showers from the start and while Rory’s English neighbors, Mumford & Sons,  (www.mumfordandsons.com) belted out beautiful folk tunes that spilled out over the crowd, that threat of rain finally became the genuine article.  Wet, cold, and socked in with clouds, festavarians hung on for this year’s headliner, Robert Plant and his Band of Joy.  And then it happened, Joy indeed.  As if the collective hope of the crowd willed the skies to clear.  The clouds began to pull apart slowly like warm bread dough, opening up to a nearly blue sky over head.  In roughly 30-minutes time, during the set break, the rain had stopped and the clouds had moved on, leaving the most stunning sight of freshly snow dusted, 14,000 foot mountain peaks across the skyline.

Robert Plant then took the stage for the final 90 plus minutes of the 38th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival and lit it up like only a legendary performer can.  What a treat to see.  He dug out a few Led Zeppelin classics and painted his new bluegrass stroke on them beautifully.  The song of the day however, was one that I had completely forgotten until that unforgettable voice of his laid down the opening vocals on In The Mood.

Enjoying a young man conquer one of golf’s greatest feats, watching the drama unfold between those chasing him, and feeling the following of adoring fans build with every shot hit.  Listening to the world’s finest musicians sink us all deeper into the immaculate setting, thoroughly enjoying their invigorating moment on the glorious stage.  There is magic at 8,750 feet.  Burp!

Kids, Dogs, & Family

It was on the eve of the FedEx St. Jude Classic, a PGA Tour event benefiting the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, that I had the opportunity to incorporate some barbecue and music into the child like theme of the week.  With the end of the school year upon us, the ceremonies, celebrations, half days, and other traditional forms of closure and accomplishment have made up the week.  Wednesday was the barbecue at the park and of course, this guy was nominated, rather forced, to participate and man the grill.  It was a kick, “MacGyvering” the built in grill at the park.  First, we were dealt a 4-pack of Match Light Charcoal which made for a few laughs, quite a bit of lighter fluid aroma, and some big flames.  Secondly, the cooking grate was pretty sandy, dusty, and such, so my colleagues decided to cover it in foil.  Good call.  The presence of a breeze then required keeping the foil secure with the use of a few rocks found over yonder.  In the absence of a hot pad, we used a tug o war rope to lower the grate closer to the heat of the coals.. I mean, it was one jimmy rig after another to get these hot dogs cooked to perfection for the entire 5th grade class – and it was fun and it worked!  Is there ever a barbecue away from the comfort of your own work space at which you have every single base covered?  My answer is no but there has never been one we haven’t been able to make work – and I guess that’s half the fun.

So the Hebrew National All Beef dogs turned out excellent and the party went off without a hitch, save for the kid getting a minor fat lip during the touch football game and a few splinters suffered during the hanging of the volleyball net.  As I left the event and headed into work, a great song came on in the car.. “Family” by Bill Frisell.  I smiled and thought how that was so the appropriate finishing touch to the trifecta of golf benefitting children, parent volunteers barbecuing for children, and finally, a song called, Family.

Searching For The Sound Song Of The Day:  Family,  by Bill Frisell

Predictable Sunday

Steve Stricker did indeed end up winning Jack Nicklaus’ annual PGA Tour golf tournament known as The Memorial and having conjured up a little luck, I correctly predicted this on Twitter last Wednesday!  (I like Cink & Stricker.  RT @Sportsbook_com: The Memorial Tournament starts tomorrow. Nick Watney 15/1 to win event.)  To follow me on Twitter, go to http://twitter.com/lasvegasgolfer  What I got wrong however, was figuring on grilling up some beer brats in honor of the Wisconsin native, Stricker, winning the event.  Instead I went with a summer favorite, an assortment of kebobs.  We did a Black Pepper Beef Satay, a Teriyaki Ahi Tuna Kebob, Teriyaki Salmon, Mahi Mahi with a ginger glaze, and finally Halibut seasoned with a curry paste like marinade.  They were all very good but the salmon, beef satay, and halibut were remarkable and worth having again.  On the side, we added risotto and also asparagus with a black currant cabernet sauce that was terrific.  My beverage of choice came recommended to me in the beer aisle at the store, a hoppy IPA from San Diego’s Stone Brewery (http://www.stonebrew.com) called Levitation.  Excellent beer, award winning in fact, with a nice hoppy presence but a mild enough finish to make it very drinkable.  For my first time trying all of this, I purchased the already prepared kebobs from the market but now having gone through it, I think I can very easily just purchase the meat and reproduce the seasonings, having a lot of fun doing it and saving substantial money in the process.

Long before Stricker putted out for the win on the 18th green and the kebobs hit the grill, I began my Sunday the way I was taught a long time ago by the clerk working the counter at a record store in Lafayette, California.  When inquiring about a good Miles Davis album to buy, he told me to go with “Kind Of Blue,” and went on to suggest waking early on a Sunday morning, before anybody else is up, pouring oneself a cup of coffee, reading the newspaper, and putting on Kind Of Blue.  The rest is history.

Searching For The Sound Song Of The Day:  Miles Davis, Kind Of Blue – The Album