High Springs/Lake City team wins top prize of $10,000 at 29th Annual Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament

More than 1,100 fishermen in 565 boats competed for cash prizes

At the 29th Annual Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament held May 17–19 at Palatka City Docks, 1,130 fishermen in 565 boats competed in the three-day tournament, the second largest in the nation.

First place went to David McIntyre of High Springs, Florida, and Michael Johnson of Lake City, Florida. They posted a five-fish aggregate weight of 27.45 pounds, earning them the top cash prize of $10,000. The duo finished more than a pound ahead of the nearest competition, Kristopher Pearson of Mayo, Florida, and Chris Lee of Branford, Florida, whose combined weight of 26.17 pounds won them second place. Tim Mann of St. Johns, Florida, and Troy Ray of Jacksonville, Florida, finished third at 24.16 pounds.

In the Big Bass competition, third-place tournament winners Tim Mann and Troy Ray hooked a 9.27-pound bass and took home first prize and $5,000. Austin Anderson of Deland, Florida, and Joseph Yancy of Jackson, Georgia, placed second in the Big Bass competition at 8.67 pounds, and Scott George of Ormond Beach, Florida, and Brian Heaberlin of Lake Helen, Florida, took third place with their 8.42-pound catch.

In the Lads and Lasses tournament, first place went to Brent Meyers and Sarah Cooley from Palatka, Florida, whose aggregate weight was 23.44. Second place went to Andrew Bowen of Ocala, Florida, and Emily Merritt of Silver Springs, Florida, with a weight of 22.94. Scott King and Linda Smith of Crescent City, Florida, claimed third place with 21.46 pounds.

Finally, winners in the VIP and Friends tournament included Trevor Corbitt of Macclenny, Florida, and David Singleton of Jacksonville, Florida, who won first place with a combined weight of 25.88 pounds. Johnathan Nash of Brooker, Florida, and Craig Haight of Graham, Florida, placed second with 23.85 pounds. Cameron Carroll of Middleburg, Florida, and Cason Crews of Macclenny, Florida, took third with 23.59 combined pounds.

Lewis Clark of Middleburg, Florida, was the winner in the drawing for the 21-foot, fully rigged 2018 Bullet 21XRD with Boatmate trailer and Mercury 225 Pro XS motor, valued at more than $56,000. A total of $55,000 was awarded to participating anglers this year.

To date, the tournament has raised more than $4 million to help provide for the educational needs of patients and staff, and to purchase life-saving technology for the infants, children and young adults in our care.