When university student Bobby Neary placed second in last month's Aussie Millions poker tournament, it seemed that luck was on his side. It seems, however, that Neary's lucky bout playing poker down under is having unlucky consequences regarding his golf career. Neary, a 21-year-old business major at Northern California's Sonoma State University, is now in hot water with the NCAA, which claims that certain details of his poker tournament participation violate the collegiate sports authority's standards.

Neary was deemed “athletically ineligible" last week by the NCAA, which claimed that his wearing clothing bearing the logo of an online poker room during the tournament violated the organization's endorsement rules. Neary was sent to the Aussie Millions tournament by online poker room Party Poker after winning the site's qualifying satellite tournament. In order to participate in the online qualifier, however, Neary was required to agree to certain terms, among which was donning Party Poker apparel during the Australian tournament. His actual participation in the poker tournament and subsequent cash prize reportedly played no part in his impending suspension.

Neary's situation is further complicated by the fact that, in addition to agreeing to wear Party Poker apparel, he also gave the online poker site the right to record him at the tournament. This could violate another NCAA standard, which states that players may not lend their name or image for the promotion of a commercial product or service.

Sonoma State is reportedly petitioning for Neary's return to collegiate golf. Until the NCAA comes to a final decision regarding Neary's status, he will continue to practice with his team. Even in the case of an unfavorable outcome for Neary, the budding golf player and poker ace has something of a consolation prize, namely the $520,000 he won at the Aussie Millions, in which to find comfort.

Source: Poker777 Staff

Sunday, 19 February 2006