The fifth annual Hibiscus Children's Center
Offshore BIG 3 Fishing Tournament held May 1 and 2, 2009 was a great success! The event was an exciting opportunity for anglers, sponsors and volunteers to support the mission of Hibiscus and help fight child abuse on the Treasure Coast. On Friday evening, the Captains' Meeting/Reception was held at the Fort Pierce Community Center. Over 70 boats registered for the tournament and received a gift bucket full of donated fishing goodies and tournament t-shirts. On Saturday, the boats departed bright and early from the Fort Pierce, Sebastian, and St. Lucie Inlets, as well as from Moore's Creek Boat Ramp and the Sebastian Inlet Marina. During the tournament, countless volunteers helped staff booths at the Fort Pierce City Marina selling t-shirts, beverages, Hibiscus mugs, raffle tickets and preparing for the big weigh-in.
The highlight of the event began at 11 AM Saturday when the boats began checking-in and showing off their catch. The lucky winners were:
1 st Place Dolphin - Brandon Vernese, Boat name: Rare Form, 39.33 pounds, won $1,875
2 nd Place Dolphin - Henry Valencia, Boat name: Poolsaver, 38.72 pounds, won $750
3 rd Place Dolphin - Daryl Lind - Team Gatzke Insurance, Boat name: Last Mango, 32.65 pounds, won $375
1 st Place Kingfish - Gary Faircloth, Boat name: Lets Roll, 50.63 pounds, won $1,875
2 nd Place Kingfish - Dave Albritton, Boat name: Gatorfan, 28.62 pounds, won $750
3 rd Place Kingfish - Jesse Pfeiffer, Boat name: Strait Shoot, 25.07 pounds, won $375
1 st Place Wahoo - Kevin Adrian, Boat name: Koo Koo, 27.71 pounds, won $1,875
2 nd Place Wahoo - Tom Rockwood - Team Gatzke Insurance, Boat name: Last Mango, 14.73 pounds, won $750
3 rd Place Wahoo - no winner
Junior Men - Kobe White, Boat name: Advocator, 26.68 pound dolphin, won $188
Junior Women - Meghan Melton, Boat name: Like 2 Fish, 20.58 pound dolphin, won $188
Lady Angler -Sandy Williams, Boat name: Repose, 32.48 pound dolphin, won $375
Inshore - Brad Caudell, Boat name: Flat Encounter, 19.5 pounds, won $750
Co-chairs Andy Ingle, Margaret Martowski, and Nikki Pfeiffer, along with their wonderful committee of volunteers, did an outstanding job in coordinating this event to benefit abused and neglected children on the Treasure Coast. Hibiscus is deeply grateful to all of the sponsors who made this tournament such a terrific success, especially top sponsors Allied New Technologies, George E. Warren Corporation, Hurricane Grill and Wings, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers, Treasure and Space Coast Radio, Guy Harvey Foundation, and Sebastian Inlet Marina. Other top donors included Disney Vero Beach Resort, Mythic Paint, Sam's Club, Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Company, Elizabeth Lowe, Helen and Earl Robertson, Wallace Auto Group, Margaretta Taylor, Suzanne and Lee Bertman, Linda and Mel Teetz, and St. Andrews Episcopal Church. Hibiscus is deeply grateful to these and all of the supporters and volunteers who joined together to make a difference in the life of our community's most needy children.
For a complete list of sponsors, photos of the event, the scoreboard, and more tournament information please visit the tournament website at
www.offshorebig3.org. Be sure to put the 2010 Offshore Big 3 on your calendars now, being held May 7 and 8 at the Ft. Pierce City Marina. For more information about Hibiscus Children's Center or how to get involved with the newly formed St. Lucie County Women's Guild, please call Angela Astrup at (772) 978-9313 x. 313 or visit the Hibiscus Children's Center website at
www.hibiscuschildrenscenter.org.