After several years of helping manage many aspects of the Pirates of Lanier Poker Run in Buford, Ga., two influential members of the board of directors for Lanier Partners of North Georgia—Beau Renfroe and John Woodruff—have opted to step down from their positions.

Beau Renfroe (left) and John Woodruff won’t be involved with this year’s Pirates of Lanier Family Poker Run. Photo courtesy Beau Renfroe

Citing the desire to free up more time and energy, Renfroe and Woodruff (both Georgia natives) said they’re looking forward to spending a little more time boating this summer in their respective catamarans—Renfroe owns the 36-foot Skater Powerboats cat Dirty Money and Woodruff owns the 48-foot MTI cat Windship—and raising money for other events at the same time.

“I’m sure I’ll miss it—the event is close to my heart and I worked at it all year long—but after six years of involvement I felt like it was time to relax a little,” said Woodruff, who has a busy summer season planned in the “reborn” Windship that he plans to show off for the first time at the Tickfaw 200 Poker Run in Louisiana. “I’m so proud of all the money we raised and I was happy to give a lot of my own money to the cause. But the way I look at it, I put in my time and my money, and now it’s time to go have some fun and spread the love around a little bit.”

Renfroe, who also owns a 33-foot Scarab V-bottom and a Fountain Powerboats 48 Express Cruiser, said he feels the same way about the event, which he added is being revamped as more of a family poker run. In fact, according to its website, the event’s name is now the Pirates of Lanier Family Poker Run.

“For me it’s been a relief to step away from the board because I have a lot on my plate with my business at the moment,” said Renfroe, who is the president of Renfroe Mining and Grading in Murrayville, Ga. “Like John, I’m also looking to get out there and do more events in my boats with my family. When you get so wrapped up in one event it’s hard to find the time to do anything else.”

Woodruff, who has already informed many of his performance boating friends that the event won’t be exactly like it was when he, Renfroe and his late friend Rea Williams, one of the LPNG founders, were on the board, said there are going to be some changes to the event’s format and rules.

According to the event schedule online, a meet-and-greet event is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at a location TBD and Friday’s activities include an afternoon raft-up “Lunch & Listen Party” at a location TBD followed by a welcome party featuring a drivers meeting and silent/live auction at Lanier Islands Amphitheater

On Saturday the card stops for the Pirates of Lanier Family Poker Run, which includes four lunch stop options, will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The card-playing at the casino in Sunset Cove is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the awards to follow.

“I wish the board the best of luck,” Renfroe said. “I still plan on supporting the event and the charities involved with it.”

For more information on the event, visit the website or email [email protected].

Related links
Lanier Partners of North Georgia Release Poker Run Video, Announce Parade of Boats
Highlights from Georgia’s Peach: The Pirates of Lanier Pooker Run