Recognized as one of the largest bass fishing tournaments in Florida, the event has raised more than $5 million for Wolfson Children’s Hospital since its inception.
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 Tarwitt, 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 $425,783 in donations, topping its goal of $400,000. 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.
“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 public may still enter a drawing for a 21’ 2021 Bullet Boat model 21SDC with matching tandem Boatmate trailer and Mercury 250 Pro XS outboard motor, courtesy of Bullet Boats and Mercury Marine. The drawing for the grand prize, valued at $68,000, will be broadcast on Facebook Live on Saturday, May 22, at 11 am.
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, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (for cardiac surgery services) andEmergency Resources Group.
Wolfson Children’s Hospital relies on the generosity of members of our community. To support Wolfson Children’s Hospital, please visit wolfsonchildrens.com.
About Wolfson Children’s Hospital of Jacksonville
Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, is a part of Baptist Health, Northeast Florida’s most comprehensive health system serving every stage of life. Wolfson Children’s is the only children’s 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 healthcare professionals specially trained to work with children, the 216-bed, patient- and family-centered hospital features the latest pediatric medical technology in a welcoming, child-friendly environment. At Wolfson Children’s, nationally recognized pediatric specialists representing nearly every medical and surgical specialty work with pediatricians to provide care for children of all ages with congenital heart conditions, cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and endocrinology disorders, orthopaedic conditions, behavioral health conditions, traumatic injuries, and more. Wolfson Children’s pediatric institutional partners include Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Jacksonville, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, the University of Florida College of Medicine—Jacksonville and Mayo Clinic Florida. A Magnet™-designated hospital since 2010, Wolfson Children’s Hospital has been named among the U.S. News & World Report 50 Best Children’s Hospitals year after year, and in 2019, was selected as one of only 10 children’s hospitals in the country as a Leapfrog Top Children’s Hospital, a recognition of patient quality and safety. For additional information, please visit wolfsonchildrens.com.
