Winding Waters Bassmasters held their 15th Annual Bass Tournament for Hospice of South Central Indiana on Lake Monroe.  High water conditions at the lake created challenges for participants and organizers; but even with the adverse water conditions, a total of 95 boats participated.  Members of Winding Waters Bassmasters and their spouses coordinate the event as well as solicit sponsors for the tournament, and for the eighth year in a row, the tournament was co-sponsored by Brownie's Marine of Fairland, Indiana.  

As an indication of things to come from Mother Nature, the first tournament was held on a very cold and snowy day, March 27th, 1994.  Twenty boats (40 participants) braved the snow and cold to support Hospice that year.   Fifteen years later, the total weight caught that first year is still the 2nd highest in tournament history.   The payback to participants the first year totaled only $1,000, compared with the tournament paying $2,125 this year just for first place.  Twice over the years high water threatened to cancel the tournament, but with luck and determination the event was still held. 

Event drew participants from five states

The tremendous support from participants, volunteers and our sponsors, had made this tournament one of the best in the state and attracts participants not only from Indiana, but also from Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, and Tennessee.   We would be remiss if we did not mention two very special supporters that we lost over the last year and a half, Ronnie Gates and Chris Massey.  Ronnie, son of tournament director Sonny Gates, helped with all aspects of the tournament throughout the years.  Chris Massey of Brownies Marine, along with his family, was the co-sponsor of the tournament for the past 8 years.  Both men gave countless hours to help grow and mold this event.

Tournament Director, Sonny Gates, was pleased with the results of the event.  "Even with a bad economy, high gas prices and high water conditions at the lake, the tournament raised almost $13,000 this year.  More importantly, over the past fifteen years, this tournament has raised almost  $175,000 to provide care for patients and families served by Hospice of South Central Indiana.  It has been an honor for the members of Winding Waters Bassmasters to hold this yearly event for Hospice and we look forward to many more tournaments."

May 10, 2008

Hospice of South Central Indiana is a not-for-profit, community-based program that provides professional medical care and support services for patients and their families with a terminal illness.  Hospice cares for all individuals who qualify for our services regardless of their ability to pay.  Below is a list of all of the winners in this year's tournament. Bassindy.com would like to thank Deb Cummings for providing us with this information.