Text Size

GIFT Tournament nets $2,300 for Boca Grande Chamber

23 November 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Pete Sanger and Capt. Mark Liberman, first place winners

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - Of the eight entries that fished the 19th annual GIFT Tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 20, only two boats came back with fish. Spirits were high, though, as all the money raised went to a good cause.

In first place were Capt. Mark Liberman and angler Pete Sanger (below left), with a 23 3/4-inch redfish. Second place was taken by Capt. Sandy Melvin and Michael Vaughn, with a 22 1/4-inch red (at right).

While the first place prize was $600 and second place was $360, they were donated back to the tournament’s beneficiary, the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce.

The third prize money ($240) which no one won was, according to Melvin, “given to the redfish, and the redfish donated it back.”

In all, $2,300 was raised for the Chamber during the tournament.View More images >>

“It was unexpected, and really, really generous of Capt. Sandy Melvin,” said Lew Hastings, executive director of the Chamber. “When he told me where this year’s money was going, we couldn’t have been happier. We couldn’t be more grateful to Capt. Sandy, and to all the anglers who participated.”

( 1 Vote )