By Staff
Melissa Cason
BEAR CREEK – The Relay For Life Open Bass Tournament will be held Saturday, March 22 beginning at 7 a.m.
Tournament organizer Rhonda Boyles said that this the fourth year for the event, and that in the past the event has raised $2,000 go towards Relay for Life.
"All the proceeds from this tournament will go to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life," Boyles said.
She said that four years ago she was looking for a unique fundraiser for the relay, and the idea of a fishing tournament crossed her mind.
"I was looking for something that no one else was doing, and something that I have not done for other organizations," Boyles said.
Boyles added that the fundraiser has had as many as 50 boats, and has been very successful.
"I think only one year we had 10 boats but the other years, we have had a good turnout," Boyles said.
She said that the key element in getting a high turnout is having a good date.
"A good date is essential," Boyles said. "You have to make sure there are not any other tournaments on the date you select."
The entry fee is $60 per boat, and $10 for each person who would like to participate in the biggest fish competition.
"We pay out all the money collected from the lunker participants to the winner," she said.
The tournament winners will be determined by weight with a five-fish maximum per boat. The first place winner will receive $1,000, and other prizes are as follows: second place, $500; third place, $300; fourth place, $200; and fifth place, $150.
"We guarantee the first place prize, but the other prizes will be paid out if we have 50 boats to participate," Boyles said.
Registration for the event is going on now through the start of the tournament. Boyles said that all checks should be made payable to the American Cancer Society. For more information, call Ty Hester at 710-0264, Rhona Boyles at 627-4112 or Hudean Wilson at 332-6869.