By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Saturday, April 19, 2014 the St. Clair County Republican Party will be holding their 17th annual Logan Martin Classic Bass Tournament.
St. Clair County Republican Party Chairman Lance Bell said, ‘”We have the Bass Tournament this Saturday and we will need assistance with it.”
Mike Fricker who is in charge of the bass tournament committee said, “One of the things that make the St. Clair Republican Party jump out is the bass tournament,” and the scholarships awarded because of it.
The tournament is sponsored by the St. Clair County Republican Party and the proceeds fund the Party’s youth college scholarship program.
Ten College Scholarships were awarded last year and thirteen in 2012.
Mike Fricker, Jane Bishop, and St. Clair County Deputy Freddie Turrentine head the St. Clair County Bass Tournament Committee. This year’s event will be at Lakeside Landing on Highway 231 South in Pell City, Alabama. Fricker said that the bass tournament has become a big thing in St. Clair County. This is the 18th year that the St. Clair County Republican Party has held the bass tournament to raise money for college scholarships for St. Clair County students. Typically there are 85 to 90 boats participating with two people to a boat. To date the Republican Party Bass Tournament has awarded over $300,000 in scholarships.
2014 Gold Sponsors include: U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (R), Congressman Mike Rogers (R), and Buckner Barrels Sales Corporation. Fricker praised Senator Sessions for being such a strong supporter of the bass tournament over the years.
There are still boat sponsorship opportunities.
Judge Phil Seay (R) said that boat sponsorships are what really drives the scholarships as most of the boat entry fee money goes toward the prizes and expenses.
The St. Clair County Republican Party still needs volunteers for the annual event.
The entry fee is just $150 per boat.
First Place pays $2000. The 2nd place prize is $1000, 3rd place pays $500, fourth place pays $400, the 5th thru 9th place finishers win $375, 10th thru 12th take home $200, 13th thru 15th $200, and 16th thru 20th win $150.
Tournament hours are from first light to 3:00 pm.
There is a five fish limit per boat. Only largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass will be counted and their will be an 8 ounce penalty assessed for any and each fish that are dead at the weigh station.
Sponsorships start at $250 and are tax deductible. Gold sponsorships start at $1000. Your sponsorship/contribution will help some young man or woman achieve their goal of a college or trade school education.
To enter the tournament or sponsor contact Freddie Turrentine at 205-640-3692 or Mike Fricker at 205-525-4029
