About The Islander. (St. Simons Island, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (July 21, 2008)
Kingfish Classic Continued from Page 1 The GIKFC is a fun, enjoyable experience for a good cause. The Classic raises approximately $50,000 every year to donate to local chari ties. "A portion of that money is given to offshore reef preservation so future generations will be able to fish in the ocean off the Golden Isles," said David Rice, GIKFC co-chair. "The rest of the money is given to local charities including United Way, MAP International, the Special Olympics, and the YWCA." “My favorite part about the tour nament is giving the money we raise to local charities," Rice said. “We Sheffield Distributing, Comcast/Com- mercial Spotlight, The Fan - WSFN, Quantum of Brunswick, Golden Isles Broadcasting. “The tournament simply would not be possible without our sponsors,” said Rice. ‘We owe them our thanks for their support.” Both the grand prize, a 2F Con- dender boat with Yamaha engines and a Loadmaster Trailer, and the second place prize, a Yamaha out board motor, were donated by tour nament sponsors. The Golden Isles Kingfish Clas sic is an established Golden Isles tradition. Come to Gascoigne Bluff Park Thursday between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. for registration; Friday between Above: A large crowd of fisher man and specta tors at Gascoigne Bluff during the 2004 Kingfish Classic. Right: Peyton Roberson & John Simpson examine one of the many fish catch during the tournament. Pictures Courtesy of Darlyn Simpson work hard all year to put on a good tournament and to raise money. It just feels good to be able to give back to the community.” The GIKFC is a large event that needs a lot of resources and materi als, so it comes as no surprise that a significant amount of funding is needed to make it happen. The sponsors of this year’s event include: Contender Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Loadmaster Trailers, Hickory Bluff Marine, Nalley Com mercial Trucks, The Brunswick News, Comcast, Rich Sea Pak, Ameris Bank, Merrill Lynch, Golden Isles Marina, Southeast Georgia Health System, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. for weigh in. Watch the final weigh in on Satur day between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. with hundreds of others and stick around for the awards ceremony which takes place at 7 p.m. after all the fish have been weighed. The fisherman, their families, and spectators who come to watch the festivities generally number in the hundreds. Hotels across the island are booked, and local restaurants and other busi nesses will benefit as well. All of these visitors combined can spend almost $1 million dollars here, which is very good for the local economy. □ THE ISLANDER, JULY 21, 2008, PAGE 11 The Reel Quick team shows off their catch during the 2006 Kingfish Classic. Picture Courtesy of Steve Kendall w r r. frsuviors’M island, ga GASCOIGNE BLUFF PARK ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GA JULY 31-AUGUST 2, 2008 All Proceeds Co To Local Charities and Off-Shore Reef Restoration Over $265,000 donated to local charities and children's organizations since 1995! Presented by CC0NTENDER SPORT FISHING BOATS YAMAHA When you want the heat Hickory Bluff Marine Georgia and North Florida’s Exclusive Contender Dealer
