Club president Dave Powell called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm as about 80 members & guests prepared to enjoy another fine dinner at Mariner Sands Country Club. He opened with a short “state of the union” address highlighting achievements of the Club and many of its individual members. These included:
· Char Griggs, Cindy Mumford, and Sarah Wichers for running a fine Ladies Tournament, and their great success with a changed format to spoil our ladies.
· James Robinson & Sherry Simmons for Co-Chairing the 2011 Small Boat Tournament, again new format and captains meeting and party at the Manatee Island Grill.
· Betty Olliges for her years of work in the Junior Angler Tournament. This year she raised money, and organized the event, only to have it cancelled due to the weather. Most sponsors said to just keep their sponsorship funds and items to 2012.
· Char Griggs & Cindy Mumford for 16 years of running the Light Tackle Tournament. Many changes and enhancements this year will assure successes in the tournament format in the future.
· SSC took on new concepts of docktail parties, Charter Mania and Double Hooker all successful events.
He announced that the Chowder Cookoff originally scheduled to take place during the Light Tackle Tournament will be held Saturday, April 7th. Andy Kubiak informed us all that he would be winning that contest.
1st Vice President, Curt Croteau briefed us about the Corinthian Anglers Club/Stuart Sailfish Club tournament taking place from Feb. 18 to Mar. 18, a new and unusual concept for SSC members and holds out great promise. Contact Curt or Char for details, and come out and fish.
2nd Vice President, Michael Fogal explained that SSC would benefit by using an Event Planner in 2012 to run many of our tournaments and events. Lindsay Nickerson has been selected.
Michael, as chairman of the nominating committee, announced that nominations for 2012 Board of Directors included all that have served in 2011. Further, that all officers had agreed to stay on if elected. A majority vote prevailed. They are:
Dave Powell - President
Curt Croteau – 1st VP
Mike Fogel – 2nd VP
Dave Mills - Secretary
Geoff Mayfield - Treasurer
Andy Kubiak - Past President
Tim Bausch
Butch Bayley
VJ Bell
Fritz Grell
Erika Long
Cindy Mumford – Tournament Coordinator
Dick Roland
Sherry Simmons
Neil Subin
Bill Whippen
Sarah Wichers
Don Wilson
Joe Yeni
Tim Bausch is retiring as Chairman of the Rules Committee, but will stay on the committee. Thanks, Tim. Tom Wichers is stepping in to replace Tim.
Before moving into trophies and annual awards, Dave Mills recognized:
Lifetime SSC Members:
Gene Detmer
Dave & Jodi Mills
Tom & Sarah Wichers
Mary Bayley
Dean & Laura Crawford
George & Jilline Fearons, Jr.
Patty Lambrecht
Neil Subin & Carla Subin
Ed & Willy Welter
Honorary Members for 2012:
Current Honorary Members are; Curt Whiticar, Ed Killer, Bonnie Powell
Two new Honorary Members for 2012 are:
Joe Lehner, Woody Woodruff
Dave also announced a new SSC award conceived and underwritten by club member, Vance Strausburg. This annual award, the Outstanding Mate Award in honor of Ben L. Glaspey includes a large trophy that stays in the Club office, and a smaller replica that goes to the recipient. Vance presented the award for the 2011 winner to Mike Resch. Accepting the award for Mike who was in Mexico fishing (imagine that), was his father, Mr. Resch. Mrs. Glaspey was present to see this 1st years award presentation.
Dave Powell took the floor again for presentation of Annual Awards as follows:
Sailfish pendant to Earl Prickett – Boat Paver – 25 releases
2011 Sailfish Release (Total releases, dead & live bait):
Adult Angler
3rd Place – Skyler Wichers – 33 releases
2nd Place – James Robinson – 36 releases
1st Place Adult Angler – Fred Taht – 43 releases
Adult Lady Angler
3rd Place – Mary Jo Grell – 3 releases
2nd Place – Lorraine Francis – 4 releases
1st Place Lady Angler – Eileen Prickett – 8 releases
Junior Angler
3rd Place – Jon Fogel – 2 releases
2nd Place – Maria Pricket – 7 releases
1st Place Jr Angler – Van Wichers – 57 releases
2011 Ed & Suzan Sellian Sailfish Release Award (dead bait only)
Van Wichers with 55 releases
Top Catch Awards – Adult Division
Cobia.............42 lb 8 oz ................. Artie Orlandi
Dolphin........ 25 lb .......................... Dave Mills
Grouper....... 20 lb 5 oz ................. Conrad Casselli
Kingfish........ 10 lb 2 oz .................. Erika Long
Red Fish....... 8 lb ........................... Rebecca Rehe
Snook.......... 10 lb 2 oz .................. Ed Skupeen
Tarpon......... 80 lb ......................... Skyler Wichers
Tuna............. 22 lb 2 oz ................. Conrad Casselli
Wahoo........ 20 lb 2 oz ................. Artie Orlandi
No Pompano, Snapper or Trout
Donna H Detmer Wahoo Memorial Award – Presented by Gene Detmer
Artie Orlando – 20 lb 2 oz
Polly Whippen Award: (Presented at the Ladies Tournament, and recognized by Bill Whippen)
Cindy Allen
Top Catch Awards Junior Division
Dolphin................... 28 lb 7 oz............... Hunter MacDonald
Kingfish................... 19 lb 8 oz .............. Pierce Killer
Pompano................ 3 lb 4 oz................ Josh Prickett
Red Fish.................. 2lb 7 oz................. Baylor Bullock
Tarpon.................... 20 lb ..................... Sean Dunnuck
Trout...................... 4 lb 1 oz ................ Baylor Bullock
Tuna....................... 7 lb 3 oz................. Sean Dunnuck
Top Private Boat
3rd Place – Prime Time 33 releases -Tom Wichers
2nd Place – Scurry Along 49 releases-Michael O’Neill
1st Place – Paver 58 releases-Earl Pricket
Top Charter Boat
3rd Place – Boneshaker 135 releases-Capt. Scott Fawcett –Joe Lehner
2nd Place – Sea Check 137 releases-VJ Bell -Bob Greene & Phil Anson
1st Place – Challenge 159 releases-Capt. Jim Hardee, Mike Fogel
2011 Outstanding Adult Angler
Fred Taht with:
1st Place Total Sailfish Release with 43 releases
2nd Place Members Private Boat
Very close competition
Honorable Mention:
- James Robinson – 2nd Place on the Ed Sellian Award and 2nd Place Total Sailfish Releases
2011 Outstanding Junior Angler
Van Wichers with:
1st Place Total Sailfish Releases Junior with 57 releases
1st Place Sellian Award with 55 releases
Top Male Angler in the Pelican Invitational Billfish Tournament
Winning Boat in the Treasure Coast Champanionship
Top Angler in the Palm Beach Sailfish Classic
Top Junior Angler in the St. Augustine and New Smyrna Tournaments
(All of these tournaments were fished on the Bone Shaker)
NOTE: A&J Boatworks (Art & Pat Cox) underwrote the cost for most of awards for 2011. Many thanks to Art & Pat.
Check Stuart Sailfish Club Pictures from our Home Page for an album.
