Pregame

The atmosphere in Arlington on game day is second to none, and there’s plenty of fun to be had before you even go to the game. Swing by the pregame party right in front of the stadium for family fun, meet-and-greets with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and more. You might even find us handing out some WinStar swag!

During the Game

As you make your way into the stadium, you’ll surely be enamored by the fine art collection that graces the walls of AT&T Stadium. From a mind-bending 4,000-square foot vacuum-formed abstract wall installation to an impressive LED display shining with flickering lightbulbs proudly showcasing iconic Cowboys moments.

One special perk of being a WinStar VIP is access to exclusive events, like taking in a Cowboys game in one of our two suites at AT&T Stadium. Step inside and find yourself in a plush, private space with a perfect view of all the on-field action. From our field level suite, you can get up-close-and-personal with the action. Our Ring of Honor Level suite offers a robust vantage point with beautiful views of the game. Both of our suites are fitted with custom granite countertops, marble floors, flat-screen televisions and ample space to stretch your legs and chat around the bar.

If you feel hungry during the game, enjoy the array of complimentary food in the suite. Our favorite choice is the caramel covered pretzels! The culinary experience doesn’t stop there, though. Step onto the concourse and enjoy a variety of delicious creations, including the famous Cowboys Cheesesteak Hand Pie, featuring sliced sirloin grilled to perfection, topped with onions, secret seasoning and hot white queso.

Postgame

After a day of cheering the Cowboys on to victory, be sure to stop by The Star District in Frisco. Home to the Dallas Cowboys headquarters, this multi-purpose facility offers 91 acres of premium boutique shopping, fine dining and exclusive Dallas Cowboys experiences.

The post Our Guide to AT&T Stadium appeared first on WinStar.

But have you heard about our world-class staff? Here at WinStar, we’ve teamed up industry-leading teaching professionals from around the globe to bring elite instruction to the Red River Valley. We sat down with a few of our professionals to get to know them a little better.

Scott Bishop, our Golf Operations Director, has been with us at WinStar for four years. He has more than 35 years of experience in golf at the amateur and professional levels.

What’s your favorite professional golf experience?
I had the opportunity to caddy for Lee Trevino in a Champions Tour event for five days in 1997.

Who are your favorite current and all-time professional golfers?
I really like Jordan Spieth currently. Arnold Palmer is my all-time favorite.

What club do you reach for when you need to make par?
My putter!

What is the most prominent course you’ve played?
Pebble Beach

Bill Knodle has been a teaching professional at WinStar for the last seven years. Prior to joining our team, he was a police officer in South Florida and had teaching stops at PGA National and Floridian Golf Club.

What’s your favorite professional golf experience?
When I was 16, I played two holes with Jack Nicklaus at the Loxahatchee Club in Jupiter, Florida. It was the most excited and nervous I’ve ever been standing over a golf ball, but he was very nice and made me feel as comfortable as I could have expected to be.

Who are your favorite current and all-time professional golfers?
Rickie is my favorite current professional. My all-time favorite is Ben Hogan because of his determination. He struggled for years with his game, almost quit, changed his swing, survived a life-threatening car accident and came back to become one of the greatest ball strikers in the history of the game.

What club do you reach for when you need to make par?
The club that saves par most for me is my Lob Wedge (or 60 degree, as we call it). I use it for a variety of difficult shots around the green and it’s one I’m most confident in.

What is the most prominent course you’ve played?
St. Andrews in Scotland. After graduating college, I took a week-long trip with my dad to play St. Andrews, Carnoustie and a host of other great courses.

Elliott Sullivan is the newest member of the WinStar Golf Academy team. He’s been playing golf more than half his life and has an expertise in both putting and full swing.

What’s your favorite professional golf experience?
I had the opportunity to play a round with Greg Norman on my home course in Australia, which he designed.

Who are your favorite current and all-time professional golfers?
It’s a tie between Adam Scott and Jason Day, but my favorite of all-time has to go to Adam Scott. First Aussie to win The Masters!

What club do you reach for when you need to make par?
My putter.

What is the most renowned course you’ve played?
Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia.

With a complete lineup of teaching professionals that boast more than 100 years of combined experience, it’s no wonder why we see some of the world’s finest junior and professional golfers hone their game at the WinStar Golf Academy. Get a leg up on your buddies back home with personalized instruction from our award-winning team of professionals. Call the WinStar Golf Academy at 580-276-1754 to schedule your swing consultation today.

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Step inside our 4,850 square feet of golfing paradise. Located in the heart of our 350-acre WinStar Golf Club property and nestled between two 18-hole championship golf courses, you’ll find an oasis of instruction and technology designed specifically to hone your golf game. Check out a few features we have on hand that can keep you a well-oiled machine this off-season.

On TrackMan, our staff will map your swing DNA through a variety of key club and ball trackers and 26 impact and ball flight parameters in real time including smash factor, spin rate, club speed, dynamic loft and more.

Once we’ve analyzed your swing, we’ll head over to the Science and Motion PuttLab. This state-of-the-art technology provides a customized report of your putting stroke that analyzes several key components including face angle and rotation, putter path, impact spot, vertical launch, swing timing and more.

If you’re looking for a more relaxing day at the links but the weather outside isn’t cooperating, enjoy a round on our aboutGolf indoor golf simulator. Choose from more than 70 of the finest courses in the world, including Pebble Beach Golf Club, The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, multiple TPC courses and the historic St. Andrews Old Course.

With so much technology in one place combined with a complete staff of world-class instructors, there’s no reason to keep your clubs in the garage all winter long! Make an appointment today and get ready to be on top of your game by the time the flowers are blooming next spring.

The post Tee It Up All Winter Long at the WinStar Golf Academy appeared first on WinStar.

WinStar World Casino & Resort is proud to offer VIP experiences for our friends at each home game during the 2018-19 season. VIP experiences include the use of our two suites at each game this season. One suite is field level, putting you in the middle of the action with the players and the Cowboy Cheerleaders. In this luxe suite, you’ll enjoy all-you-can-eat food & drink and event level seating.

Our second suite in AT&T Stadium is part of the Silver Suites, which offers a more complete view of the entire field, comfortable chairs and all-you-can-eat snacks, food and drinks. You might even get a visit from a Cowboys legend! Each suite also has multiple televisions so you can keep up with other games in the league and your fantasy players.

The VIP experience at Cowboys games doesn’t end with our suites.

As a WinStar VIP, you could enjoy field access before and after the game. Another fun perk of being a VIP is catching a practice and lunch at The Star, the Cowboys’ $1.5 billion state-of-the-art practice facility.

We also give away an entire WinStar experience to one lucky member of the audience each game. Winners receive a one-night stay in our lavish accommodations, $2,500 in free play, a round of golf at WinStar Golf Club for four and a $200 spa credit.

With so much to offer, who wouldn’t want to experience a Cowboys game in VIP style? Learn more about the Cowboys’ remaining home games in AT&T Stadium and check your My WinStar account to see what offers you have available. Don’t have a Club Passport card? Sign up for one today and start earning points to become a VIP!

The post Experience a Cowboys game like a WinStar VIP! appeared first on WinStar.

And when all was said and done, three new champions were crowned.

The bright lights left no doubt that the grid was center stage this week as thousands of fans descended on the Red River Valley to witness some of the longest hitters in golf go head-to-head for the championship belt and the title of 2018 Volvik World Long Drive Champion.

Fast Eddie Fernandes grabbed his first Volvik World Long Drive Masters Division Championship belt on Tuesday night with a drive that bested competitor Jeff Gavin’s by 25 yards. Fernandes, ranked No. 21 in the world, topped the 36-man field of individuals 45 years old and older. The 47-year-old was emotional following the victory, dedicating the championship belt to his wife, late-brother and late-father.

It was Phillis Meti’s turn to take the spotlight as she rolled through the Women’s Division competition, winning her quarterfinal and semifinal matches by a combined 37 yards before setting up a head-to-head final with South African Chloe Garner. Meti took the grid first, setting the pace with a 313-yard drive. Garner nearly matched the line to beat on her third drive, but fell just three yards short, ultimately resulting in Meti raising the championship belt for the third time in her career. She is just the third woman to win at least three World Long Drive Championships, joining Sandra Carlborg (5) and Stacey Shinnick (3).

And then there was just one championship belt left to decide. Maurice Allen, fresh off his third wardrobe change of the evening, stepped onto the grid looking to solidify his place in long drive lore. He already had the two longest drives of the night at 392 and 393 yards and he knew it would take another gutsy performance to defeat Justin Moose in the finals. Then, with furious footwork and a bone-crushing swing, Allen sent the ball ripping through the night sky, landing nearly four football fields away and matching his previous best of 393 yards. Moose wasn’t able to counter, and the evening ended with Allen raising his first career world championship belt high above his head.

It was a week of high-flying action on the grounds of WinStar Golf Club and we couldn’t be more excited for next season! How far can you drive a golf ball? If you think you can compete, stay tuned to the World Long Drive website for more information on the 2019 season and don’t forget to check out photos of all the action on our Instagram!

The post World Long Drive: The Power of Three appeared first on WinStar.

The Champions

Tim Burke
In the last three years, the Open Division has been conquered by a three-headed monster. Tim Burke took home the title in 2015. Originally a collegiate and minor league baseball player, he’s used that experience to develop a long drive swing that’s earned him the title of Two-Time World Champion.

Joe Miller
One of the biggest and most powerful men on the tour, Joe Miller really is The Total Package. In any sport staying on top is difficult, Joe has found himself on top twice in his career, 2010 and 2016.

Justin James
Another former baseball player, James has skyrocketed to the top of the World Long Drive leaderboards, culminating in a world title at the end of his sophomore campaign. Now in his third season, he remains World No. 1 and, at 28 years old, plans to stay there for awhile.

The Contenders

Will Hogue
He might not be World No. 1, but there’s no one hotter in the sport of long drive than this Memphis-based firefighter. Already a three-time winner this season on the tour, Wil Hogue is blasting past the competition on a regular basis. If you’re searching for the prototypical specimen for a long drive champion, look no further. His 6’3”, 230-pound frame is nearly identical to the average height (6’3”) and weight (235 pounds) of the last three Open Division Champions.

Maurice Allen
Standing at 5’8”, Maurice packs a punch in his golf swing that led him to the World No. 3 ranking in 2018. He’s a former track & field star from Florida A&M University and just two years ago recorded a drive of 488 yards.

Ryan Steenberg
If you’re looking for compact power, look no further than Ryan Steenberg. Packing 240 pounds of muscle into a 5’10” framework, this strength and conditioning coach makes swinging a golf club look easy. As for his golf swing? Let’s just say there’s a little thing called the Steenberg Smash.

Paul Howell
This boy from Wilson, North Carolina, powers his swing on cheese sticks and Bojangles. And judging by his No. 9 in the world ranking, we’d say it works. “Chewy” has had success in Thackerville, placing 2^nd at the WinStar Midwest Slam and advancing to the quarterfinals of the Volvik World Long Drive Championship last year.

Who’s your pick to take home the championship belt? Enter the World Long Drive VIP Giveaway for your chance to win a VIP prize pack to this year’s Volvik World Long Drive Championship!

The championship is going to be a big hit this September, so don’t miss your chance to catch the action live and in person with free admission. Visit our website for complete schedule and details.

The post World Long Drive Countdown: The Champions and The Contenders appeared first on WinStar.

Throughout the World Long Drive regular season, play the World Long Drive VIP Giveaway for your chance to win accommodations for the final two days of the Volvik World Long Drive Championship, a pair of VIP badges to the competition, a long drive lesson with a WinStar Golf Academy instructor, a round of golf at WinStar Golf Club and more!

If your selections advance to match play for that competition, they will earn you points. The participant that earns the most points at the end of the World Long Drive regular season will win the grand prize!

To recap:

1. Sign up and make your selections for each World Long Drive regular season event. *Be sure to use your same name and email so we can keep track!*
2. Earn points based on your selections’ results from each contest.
3. The participant with the most points at the end of the regular season wins!

The total World Long Drive VIP Giveaway prize package:

1. One (1) two-night stay for two (2) at WinStar World Resort for September 4 & 5, 2018.
2. Two (2) VIP badges to the 2018 Volvik World Long Drive Championship.
3. One (1) long drive lesson with a WinStar Golf Academy professional.
4. One (1) round of golf for two (2) at WinStar Golf Club.
5. One (1) World Long Drive prize pack.
6. One (1) Kirby’s Steakhouse gift card valued at $100.

The next regular season event is the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bash, so make sure to get your picks in prior to the start of the competition on June 4!

The post Experience the Volvik World Long Drive Championship like a VIP! appeared first on WinStar.

The temperature drops as the sun dips below the horizon. Anticipation is thick in the air as Justin James steps up to the tee. After his opponent went 0-fer, just one on the grid is all he needs to get his hands on the championship belt and the title of Volvik World Long Drive Champion.

He’s already sprayed his first four balls out-of-bounds. He has just four balls remaining.

Tension rises. What happens if BOTH competitors fail to get one on the grid? Will Justin play it safe and softly hit one inside the lines to reach the 270-yard minimum length? This would ensure his victory but would most certainly disappoint the crowd. Will he continue to swing for the fences, flirting with the out-of-bounds line?

Suddenly, as if it exploded out of a cannon, his fifth golf ball rips through the night sky at 226 miles per hour – faster than a Formula One car – zipping through the light breeze. Airborne down the left side of the grid, the orange Volvik Vivid XT golf ball bounces off the turf after flying the length of four football fields. It takes a slight bounce toward the center of the grid and finally comes to rest, 435 yards later.

With that single swing of the club, Justin James became World Long Drive royalty. Now, seven months later, he remains the standard for hitting bombs and shredding grids. Two events down on the 2018 schedule and the World No. 1 already has a semifinals and a finals appearance under his belt, averaging more than 400 yards per drive in match play. It’s simply not a matter of if he wins again, but when.

This September, he’ll have the chance to repeat as Volvik World Long Drive Champion.

The Queen

If there is a World Long Drive royalty, then she’s undoubtedly the queen. Sandra Carlborg, the Swedish wonder, dominated the 2017 women’s field in Thackerville, taking home her record fifth world championship.

She won’t say it was easy, but she doesn’t have to. Her drives back it up. She rolled through match play competition with an average winning drive of 341 yards. In all, Sandra had 11 drives in Thackerville of more than 350 yards — more than any other competitor.

In case you were wondering if The Queen will be contending to retain her crown in 2018, all signs are pointing to the affirmative. With up-and-comers like Alexis Belton and Troy Mullins hot on her heels, we may be in for a battle of the ages.

The Kid

Loud cracks of laughter and golf balls fill the range. Friendly verbal jabs are exchanged among most competitors, but one silently takes his place near the end of the range. Clad in a baby blue shirt, snow white pants and shoes donning his old university’s logo, he slowly begins his routine.

Stretch. Glove. Tee one up. Let it rip.

Just 21 years old, he’s the baby face of the group and the newest member of this class of world-class athletes. Last September, he nearly conquered them all.

Kyle Berkshire has been long driving professionally for barely a year. If this was the NFL, he’d still be carrying teammates’ bags. While others might have the experience or professional stature, Kyle makes up for it with fearlessness. At last year’s Volvik World Long Drive Championship, he stood toe-to-toe with the giants of the game.

Balancing professional life with a heavy academic workload is no easy task, but Kyle takes it in stride. When it’s time to step onto the tee, it’s pure power. He’s yet to win his first competition but is inching ever closer. When September rolls around, you can bet Kyle Berkshire is a name that will be in the mix.

Catch Justin, Sandra and Kyle next week at the AK-CHIN Smash in the Sun tour event in Phoenix, Arizona on the Golf Channel and join us this September as the world’s longest hitters descend upon Thackerville for the 2018 Volvik World Long Drive Championship.

The post World Long Drive: The King, The Queen and The Kid appeared first on WinStar.

There’s no better way to watch the best in college basketball than surrounded by all your friends, enjoying delicious game day snacks and drinks, filling in your brackets and watching the games in an exciting, upbeat atmosphere. Lucky for you, WinStar World Casino and Resort has everything you need for the perfect watch party — big prizes included.

Club Passport members can take a shot at $100,000 in Bonus Play and prizes during our Hoop It Up promotion. Earn 20 points on your Club Passport card now through March 10 to be eligible for a chance to score tickets to WinStar’s exclusive College Basketball Playoffs Watch Party. Winners will be invited to the Junior Ballroom in the WinStar Convention Center March 13 through 18 to watch all of the action go down on the big screens, with complimentary food, beverages and door prizes.

You can also take part in the excitement at Palladium Sports Lounge. Enjoy great food and drinks while watching the games and cheering on your favorite team. Palladium is located between the Cairo and Vienna Gaming Plazas and will be showcasing the games on high-definition TVs, so you and your friends won’t miss any of the action. While you’re there, make sure to try the Beer Battered Ribs, Pub Nachos or Pork Belly Sliders – you’re in for a real treat!

WinStar has big plans for college basketball celebrations this month, so don’t miss out on your shot at winning. To make things even better, plan your stay at WinStar World Casino Hotel, so you don’t have to worry about missing any of the games. If you need a midweek getaway or a weekend trip with your friends, we have the perfect accommodations to help keep the celebrations going all month long, on and off the court.

Invite all your friends, wear your favorite team’s gear and make WinStar your 2018 college basketball watch party headquarters!

The post College Basketball Watch Party Headquarters appeared first on WinStar.

The 2017 Volvik World Long Drive Championship is back at WinStar World Casino and Resort! Volvik is the new event sponsor this year and you are in for a treat. Be sure to mark your calendars for this exciting event on September 5-6, when the best long drivers from around the world will play for the sought-after World Long Drive Championship belt.

Admission to the championship is free, so head out and enjoy the electric atmosphere and be amazed as the competitors hit golf balls 400+ yards to win the prize. The drivers swing at more than 150 mph and the ball speeds can reach upwards of 220 mph. It’s extremely impressive, to say the least!

You don’t need to be an expert golfer to enjoy this event; there is fun for everyone. Not only will you have the opportunity to watch the competition, there will also be food trucks, giveaways, and a performance from country star Colt Ford!

The women’s championship will take place on September 5 and will be broadcast live on Golf Channel for the first time ever. The men’s championship will take place September 6 and will also be aired live on Golf Channel.

Grab your competition-loving friends who like to have a good time and make a trip out of it! Enjoy the championship and book a stay at the world’s largest casino. If you’d like to get some practice on the golf course or driving range, check out the WinStar Golf Course while you’re here. You may also run into Jon Stephenson, Director of Fitting at the WinStar Golf Academy, who competed in the 2016 World Long Drive Competition. He can fill you in on all the fun facts and information about the competition.

Get your tickets and come enjoy great company, delicious food, and a fascinating competition at the 2017 Volvik World Long Drive Championship at WinStar!

The post Everything You Need to Know about the 2017 Volvik World Long Drive Championship appeared first on WinStar.