There's a concept that's become famous called “the bucket list.”What this means is trying to do all the things you really want to do in life before we reach out inevitably mortal fate, or, more crudely, kick the bucket. Bucket lists usually include things like travel and trying out new experiences. Prior to now, Kenneth Lind had never played in a World Series of Poker event. He always wanted to come to Las Vegas and give it a try. However, until his friend Burrell finally talked him into making the trip, encouraged by his wife as well, Lind never thought he'd play in a gold bracelet event, let alone win poker's most coveted prize.Remarkably, Lind not only bought into his first WSOP tournament, he did what must has seemed impossible three days earlier. He survived Day One. Next, he made the money. Then, he made it to the final table. Finally, he ended up winning the gold bracelet and collecting $634,809 in prize money. He was also honored with his name being added to the famous Golden Eagletrophy, a tradition started by poker legend “Oklahoma" Johnny Hale.Lind joined the U.S. Army in 1963 and served his country proudly for nearly three decades. He retired as an officer. After that, he took a job with the federal government, working in the Bureau of Reclamation, which has water preservation in the west as one of it's major responsibilities. The movement to protect and preserve water in the west became not just a job, but a personal passion.
Yet Lind has also made free time for himself to play more poker during his retirement. That's what resulted in his first foray to the green felt tables of Las Vegas at the WSOP.Lind is 68-years-old, which made him the oldest player at the final table. He was born in Peakskill, NY and now resides in Layton, UT. Lind is married and has seven children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. No one though it possible the Seniors Championship would reach this number. It's steadily been the fastest growing event at the WSOP over the past five years. This year's attendance figure eclipsed last year's record by more than 200 players.MEET GOLD BRACELET WINNER – KEN LINDName: Ken Lind
Current Residence: Layton, UT (USA)
Birthplace: Peakskill, NY (USA)
Age: 68
Occupation: Retired
Former Profession: U.S. Army Officer / Federal Employee
WSOP Cashes (including this event): 1
First WSOP Cash (year): 2013
WSOP Final Table Appearances: 1
WSOP Wins (with this victory): 1
INTERVIEW WITH THE CHAMPION WSOP: How does it feel to win your first WSOP gold bracelet?
Lind: I put this on my bucket list about six or eight years ago. I have been pushing it off every year, but finally my wife talked me into doing it She said, "before you start pushing grass up, go do it!" So, I said okay. I thought, if I play a couple of hours or so, that would be good. But to be sitting here after three days? I don't know what to say.WSOP: You just won $634K. Any more bucket list items coming next?
Lind: I'm going to scratch off two house payments, that's for sure. We have two houses and we are going to pay them both off. WSOP: Can you tell us about what you did before retiring?
Lind: Yes, I was in the U.S. Army from 1963 until 1985. I left the Army as an officer. Then, I went to work for the Bureau of Reclamation, which builds dams in the Western U.S. It was very important. The experience was very eye opening. Water is scarce. I enjoyed every minute of my time working for that good cause.WSOP: What was it like playing heads-up versus Dana Ott for the gold bracelet?
Lind: I would have liked to go heads-up against someone other than the fine gentleman I was up against. He would have been my last pick. He's really good and a nice fellow. I feel for him. I am glad at least he won second place. I know he is from Colorado where all those fires are, and that's very real for me. But just playing against him, I buckled down and followed some of my own homemade rules and bet when I had something and folded when I didn't. When I flopped a straight there on the end, and he had trips, the only thing he can beat me with was a full house. I went for it, but he didn't pair the board.WSOP: Is this a dream come true?
Lind: This is beyond a dream. Beyond it. The biggest tournament I had ever played was like 10 or 12 tables. And you come here, and there are 4,400 opponents. I just wanted to compete....this is my kind of tournament.
ODDS AND ENDSDana Ott, from Colorado Springs, CO finished as runner-up. He earned $390,601 as a consolation prize.John Holley, from Destin, FL was third. He was a Casino Champion and gold bracelet winner from this past season on the WSOP Circuit.
The oldest player is this year's Seniors field was 92-year-old Herman Moonves, father of CBS President Les Moonves.