The competition has raised more than $6 million since it began 34 years ago.
More than 940 fishermen and 470 boats hit the water in Palatka over the weekend during the 34he Wolfson Children’s Hospital Annual Bass Tournament, one of the largest bass fishing tournaments in Florida.
The three-day event featured different competitions each day with the main tournament taking place on Saturday, May 20. Daniel Robertson and Steven Keith of High Springs, Fla., won first place overall with a five fish total weight of 25.11 lbs. Second place went to Randall Alvarez of Starke, Fla., and Jocham Williams of Macclenny, Fla., with a total weight of 24.42 lbs. Chris Cercy of Middleburg, Fla., and Eric Roberts of Jacksonville, Fla., took home third place weighing in at 21.75 lbs.
Thursday’s Lads and Lasses Tournament winners were: Syler Prince and Rileigh Stout of Palatka, Fla., with an aggregate weight of five fish of 23.95 lbs., followed by Ronnie Council and Reta Szlosek of Palatka, Fla., in second place. with a total weight of 21.83 lbs. Charles and Kelly Moody of Green Cove Springs, Fla., placed third with a total weight of 19.49 pounds.
During the VIP & Friends Tournament on Friday, May 19, Danny Inabnett and Randy Sievert of DeLeon, Fla., took home first place with a five fish total weight of 17.73 lbs. Derek Daniels of Macclenny, Fla., and Michael Johnson of Raiford, Fla., placed second with a total weight of 17.18 pounds, and Eric Lewis and Kevin Flanigan of Jacksonville, Fla., placed third with a total weight of 16.34 pounds
Winners took home more than $48,000 in cash prizes.
This year’s Bass Tournament raised more than $436,000 in donations, bringing the total contributed to Wolfson Children’s Hospital in the event’s 34-year history to more than $6 million. All proceeds from this year’s event benefit Wolfson Children’s C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry Heart Institute, helping to fund life-saving cardiology and cardiac surgery equipment and cutting-edge technology.
“For more than three decades, the Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament has brought together thousands of anglers from across the Southeast together with the community to support the hospital’s mission of providing world-class care close to home,” said Sam Dean, tournament manager. Co-Chairman and Director of the Baptist Health System of Plant Facilities. “We are grateful to everyone who participated in the tournament or purchased a ticket to the next annual jackpot drawing. Together we are helping to make a difference in the lives of children and families across the region.”
The public can still enter a drawing for a chance to win a 2023 21′ Model 21XRS Bullet Boat with Trailer, courtesy of Bullet Boats, valued at $78,000 (engine included), until noon on Friday, June 2. will air on Facebook Live on Saturday June 3 at 11am.
The Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament began in 1989, when the director of the Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville Plant Facilities department, along with several others, wanted to raise money for technological advances at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Today, it is one of the largest tournaments in the state that raises money for children. Tournament grantee Wolfson Children’s Hospital provides comprehensive medical and surgical care to sick and injured children in North Florida, South Georgia and beyond.
Major sponsors for the 2023 tournament included:
- Title Sponsors: Miller Electric Company and WW Gay Mechanical Contractor, Inc.
- Hero Sponsor: Osborn Engineering
- Major Sponsor: Facility Automation Solutions
the 35he Wolfson Children’s Hospital’s annual Bass Tournament is scheduled for May 16-18, 2024. Early bird registration is now open online.
To see photos of the winners and the event, click here.
Wolfson Children’s Hospital depends on the generosity of our community members. To support Wolfson Children’s Hospital, visit wolfsonchildrens.com/dar.
About Wolfson Children’s Hospital of Jacksonville
Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, is part of Baptist Health, the most comprehensive healthcare system in Northeast Florida serving all stages of life. Wolfson Children’s is the only pediatric hospital in Northeast Florida and serves as the pediatric referral center for North Florida, South Georgia and beyond. Staffed 24/7 by pediatric nurses and other health professionals specially trained to work with children, the 276-bed, patient- and family-focused hospital is equipped with the latest technology pediatric physician in a welcoming and child-friendly environment. At Wolfson Children’s, nationally recognized pediatric specialists representing nearly all medical and surgical specialties work with pediatricians to provide care for children of all ages with congenital heart conditions, cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and endocrinological disorders, orthopedic conditions, behavioral health, traumatic injuries. , and more. Wolfson Children’s collaborates with pediatric organizations, including Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburghhe University of Florida College of Medicine—Jacksonville and Mayo Clinic Florida. Wolfson Children’s Hospital, a Magnet™-designated hospital since 2010, has been named among US News & World Report’s Top 50 Hospitals for Children year after year, and in 2021, was selected as one of eight hospitals for children in the country as Leapfrog Top Children’s Hospital, a recognition of quality and patient safety. For additional information, visit wolfsonchildrens.com.