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Wet weather doesn't slow charity fishing tournament
Area anglers dealt with a strong chance of rain and soggy weather to fish in the second annual "Buddy Bass Tournament: Fishing for a Cure."
The event, to raise money in the fight against Cystic Fibrosis, was held on April 29 in Rich Hill. The rain let up enough for the event to be a success and more than $500 was raised to fight CF. Fishermen from as far as Kansas City competed for several prizes. Check in for the event was 6 a.m., Saturday morning and all fish had to be checked by 1 p.m. There were three winners for the tournament. One winner was for the team of Dan Barnett and Justin Westerhold with the highest overall weight for three bass. Their three bass weighed a total of 9 pounds, 13 ounces (4 pounds, 7 ounces; 2 pounds, 11ounces; and 2 pounds, 11ounces). They won $100, which they kindly gave back to Team Gracie, and Craftsman Truck Series tickets. There was also a Cabela's gift package and a gift certificate awarded for the largest overall bass checked in. Justin won this with a bass that weighed in at 4 pounds, 7 ounces. In second place, Jeff Derr and Lance West won IRL tickets valued at $50 a piece. For more information, visit www.walkforgrace.com.
The bass tournament was held to raise money for Grace Beshore's Great Strides team, Team Gracie. Grace Beshore is the 3-year-old daughter of Chris Beshore and has this deadly disease. Team Gracie is a group dedicated to raising money in the fight to find a cure for CF. All proceeds from this tournament go directly to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. CF, a genetic disease, affects approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: "A defective gene causes the body to produce an abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections."
National and area businesses also donated door prizes and other items.
For more information, visit www.walkforgrace.com or call (417) 395-2770.