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Special Olympics/North Shelby School Benefit Tournament
2010
2009
Gill And Stallings Take Home $2,500 In Special Olympics Benefit
November 7, 2009
All Photos Courtesy of Chris Rogers
The purses were big, but the cause was even bigger as the Third Annual Special Olympics/North Shelby School Benefit Tournament got underway a week ago on Lake Norman. Organizers guaranteed $14,350 for the top twenty place finishers as sponsors lined up to help.
One hundred two boats lined up at the Pinnacle Landing and fished from safelight to 3 PM. Entrants paid $100 per boat team with an additional $10 Big Fish pot as a side bet. Anglers were treated to thirty-three year pro veteran Guy Eaker at weigh in and Bojangles supplied breakfast to kick off the day. A weight guess was sponsored by Greene Boat & Motor. Bass Pro threw in two rods and reels to the big Fish winners. The event was sanctioned by the Bass Cat Quest program, Triton Gold, Skeeter Real Money and Stratos 2x Money. In all, more than 250 sponsors lined up to help in the cause.
Ricky Peace, organizer of the event, expressed his pleasure at the turnout and what it accomplished for Special Olympics. “The exact figures aren't I yet, but it looks like we raised approximately $21,000 for Special Olympics with this one event,” he noted.
Bobby Gill and Scott Stallings placed first with 13.27 pounds and took home the $2,500 prize sponsored by Eaton Corporation. Doug and Jennifer Easton placed second with 11.84 pounds and walked away $1500.00 richer. That place was sponsored by Walmart Logistics. Third place went to Shane Lineberger and Hank Cherry who scored an easy $1,000 for fourth with 11.26 pounds. Tim and Tommy Chapman won $950 for fourth with 11.26 pounds. Fifth place paid $900 and was nailed by Patrick Houdge and Thomas Anderson with 11.18 pounds.
A total of 68 fish were weighed in totaling 493 pounds. “We only lost one fish,” stated Peace. The organizers have already set the date for next year's event. It will be held November 6th.
For more information, or to ask how you can help, contact Ricky Peace at rdpeace@bellsouth.net.