Gil Memorial Classic scheduled for Oct. 21-23

Last year's winners of The Gil Memorial Classic

The weekend begins with a captain’s meeting and party for the whole family with free food and drinks on the night of Friday, Oct. 21 at Boca Grande Marina, followed by two full days of fishing, then more food and drinks on the final night.

“Last year we paid out over $10,000 in cash prizes,” said Rob Hudson, one of the coordinators of the event. “This year’s event will once again benefit the Barrier Island Parks Society, a non-profit organization providing support to affiliated barrier island state parks including Gasparilla, Cayo Costa, Don Pedro and Stump Pass, their lighthouses, exhibits, personnel and natural assets.”

The tournament series began in 2003 when Juan Gil was tragically involved in a fatal automobile accident.

“Juan was an intelligent, hard-working, caring individual,” Rob said. “He made no enemies and brought only joy to those around him. He was a good son who spent the last years of his life by his father’s side as he fought against cancer.” Rob said that Roberto Gil, Juan’s father, was a wonderful person who loved his family.

“To everyone’s dismay, he lost a long battle with cancer,” he said. “Now the father and the son have been reunited and are able to get back to trading fishing and baseball stories, they are deeply missed.”

The field is limited to 25 boats.

For more information or registration forms, contact Rob at gmcboca@aol. com, Bryan Dreisbach at btdreis@ gmail.com, or Copeland More at copeland.more@gmail.com.

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