Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament reels in more than $447,000
Recognized as one of the largest bass fishing tournaments in Florida, the annual event has raised more than $5 million for Wolfson Children’s Hospital since its inception.
Jacksonville, FL -
A North Florida team won big at the 32nd annual Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament Saturday, taking home $10,000.
Will Scaife, of Hawthorne, Fla., and Brandon Waters, of Melrose, Fla., won the overall tournament with a five-fish aggregate weight of 30.66 pounds.
Second place overall went to Austin Duncan, of Green Cove Springs, Fla., and Kevin Duncan, of Middleburg, Fla., with a five-fish aggregate weight of 23.05 pounds.
Jason Jackson and Phillip Turwitt, of Orange Park, Fla., took home third place overall with a five-fish aggregate weight of 21.74 pounds.
Andrew Pulliam, of Spring Hill, Fla., and James Sojka, of New Port Richey, Fla., won the Big Bass competition with a bass weighing in at 9.59 pounds.
More than 1,150 anglers in 576 boats took part in the three-day tournament, which is recognized as one of the largest bass fishing tournaments in Florida. The event raised $447,893.32 in donations, topping its goal of $400,000. All proceeds will benefit the Wolfson Children's C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry Heart Institute, helping fund the purchase of life-saving equipment and state-of-the-art technology.
The event also set a record for most grand prize drawing tickets sold, with 10,989 entries submitted. Stacy Ferguson, of Jacksonville, won the drawing for a 21’ 2021 Bullet Boat model 21SDC with matching tandem Boatmate trailer and Mercury 250 Pro XS outboard motor, valued at $68,000. Ferguson works as a project manager for the construction of the new Baptist Jacksonville Entry Building/Wolfson Children’s Critical Care Tower.
“This is an event the community looks forward to every year, so I’m glad we were able to safely return to Palatka once again in support of the children and families who need our help the most,” said Tournament Chairman Brian Seay of Miller Electric in Jacksonville. “It was great to see the tournament supported by not only hundreds of anglers, but also a large group of enthusiastic spectators and volunteers. Because of their support, Wolfson Children’s Hospital is able to make in difference in the lives of so many children and families.”
The Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament began in 1989, when the director of the Plant Facilities department of Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, along with several others, wanted to raise funds for technological advancements at Wolfson Children's Hospital. Today, it is one of the largest tournaments in the state raising money for kids. The tournament beneficiary, Wolfson Children's Hospital, provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for sick and injured children across North Florida, South Georgia and beyond.
The 2022 Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament is scheduled to take place May 19-21, 2022. Early bird registration is now open online through June 15, 2021.
For more information on the tournament or to register, visit wolfsonbasstournament.com.
Services provided at Wolfson Children’s Hospital are provided primarily by pediatric physician specialists with Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Jacksonville, University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville and Emergency Resources Group.