ATHENS-An Enterprise woman shared a pre-dawn photo from the City of Athens Facebook page showing boaters registering for a bass fishing tournament, and her comment had tournament organizers in near tears.
The tournament held Saturday, May 9, at Ingalls Harbor in Decatur was the fourth annual City of Athens Relay for Life Team Bass Fishing Tournament held in support of the American Cancer Society. The city’s photo caption was, “Cancer never sleeps. This morning we aren’t either! Boaters are registering for our 4th annual City of Athens Relay for Life Bass Fishing Tournament at Ingalls Harbor. Let’s fish for a cure!!!”
Charlene Goolsby
Charlene Goolsby wrote, “This Mother’s Day weekend I will not be with our son Blake,
but it warms my heart to know that he and his son Jacob are spending quality time together fishing in a tournament that the proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society. On my 21st birthday, I lost my mother to cancer. This picture truly reminds us that CANCER NEVER SLEEPS! This day I will remember my mother and thank God for my wonderful family. Good Luck to my Athens children!”
Blake Goolsby, and grandson Jacob Goolsby
Goolsby’s son and grandson placed fourth in the tournament, catching 17.65 pounds.
The tournament is the City of Athens Relay for Life Team’s largest fundraiser. The team has already turned in $11,000 for its campaign year, and will tally expenses to determine how much it made from the tournament. It is expected this year’s tournament rose over $6,000.
“Mrs. Goolsby’s Facebook post reminds us of why we campaign each year for Relay for
Holly Hollman
Life,” said City of Athens Relay for Life Team Captain Holly Hollman. “We appreciate the boaters and sponsors who support us each year to fish for a cure.”
The Limestone Lunkers, a local bass fishing group, helps the team host the event. Relay Team members Anna Leigh
Mayor Ronnie Marks
Peacock and Heather Romine asked the late Al Dutton and the Limestone Lunkers to help the team start the tournament in 2012. Dutton provided advice, oversaw the set-up and helped weigh the fish that first year. He died of cancer a day after the 2013 fishing tournament, which also makes this event special to the Relay Team.
“I applaud our city employees for their efforts in raising money and raising awareness to fight a disease that impacts our entire community,” said Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks.
Here is the list of winners for 2015:
● Big Fish – Harry Smith – 5.66 pounds
● First Place – Billy Adcock and Mike Adcock – 21.22 pounds
● Second Place – Mickey Wallace and Chris Wallace – 19.03 pounds
● Third Place – Harry Smith – 18.12 pounds
● Fourth Place – Blake Goolsby and Jacob Goolsby – 17.65 pounds
● Fifth Place – Nick Reeves and Jody Evans – 17.49 pounds
● Sixth Place – Jody Schrimsher and Ben Yarbrough – 17.3 pounds
● Seventh Place – David Suratt and Jeff Suratt – 16.77 pounds
● Eighth Place – Adam Mullins and Kenny Terry – 15.76 pounds
● Ninth Place – Arash Ghoja and Scott Mungenast – 15.25 pounds
● 10th Place – Will Grisham and Ethan Springer – 14.32 pounds
The Relay Team thanks the sponsors who helped make the tournament a success. This year’s sponsors were:
● Athens Utilities
● Halon Inc.
● WESCO
● Park Supply Co.
● Utility Power Inc.
● Cahaba Pressure Treated Forest Products
● Hughes Gas Piping
● GRESCO
● HD Supply
● Power Supply Co.
● American Overhead Door
● Consolidated Pipe and Supply Co.
● Morell Engineering
● Tennessee Valley Marine
● A-Z Office Resources
