Grand Slam team winners Bill Sullivan and Ty Loyd (middle) awarded trophy by Event Chair Tom Wagor (R) and Conservancy CEO Andrew McElwaine (L). Photo by Dennis Goodman.

Fifty teams participated in the 2009 RedSnook Catch & Release Charity Tournament Oct. 2-4, netting more than $70,000 for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida Juvenile Gamefish Study.

“We are extremely pleased with these results, which met our goals,” said Conservancy President Andrew McElwaine. “The event itself was a success in helping us forge stronger relationships with anglers, while the money raised will ultimately help ensure that our waters and fish populations remain viable for sport fishing far into the future.”

Roland Martin, legendary angler and television host of the “Fishing with Roland Martin Show,” was honorary chair of the Tournament for the third consecutive year.

Tournament chairman Thomas M. Wagor expressed his appreciation to Roland Martin, the RedSnook Committee, sponsors, auction donors, anglers, Conservancy volunteers and Conservancy staff. “The united forces and energy of all the people involved helped make this event a huge success.”

This International Game Fish Association-certified tournament was open to teams and individuals. The primary sponsors of the Tournament included M&I Bank, Comcast, Florida Weekly, Heatherwood Construction, and The Johnson Meland Group of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Other participating sponsors included Outback Steakhouse, LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort and Whole Foods. Fabulous auction items were donated by the local business community including The Capital Grille, Naples Harbour Yacht Club, LaPlaya and the Miami Dolphins.

First place winners included:
• Unguided Bait: Derek Pruitt and Jeff Ball
• Unguided Spin: Gary and Stephanie Parsons
• Guided Bait: Doug Poe and Jim McGuire, guided by Todd Geroy
• Guided Spin: Robert Collins and Michael Gallops, guided by Matt McLean
• Fly Fishing: Nanette and Rick O’Hara

In addition, awards were given for:
• Largest Snook: Bill Sullivan, guided by Bruce Jackmack
• Largest Redfish: Kevin Johnson
• Grand Slam: Bill Sullivan and Ty Loyd, guided by Bruce Jackmack
• Top Female Angler: Susan Tigwell
• Top Junior Angler: Michael Meehan
• Top Corporate Team: Beth Monet Children’s Shoppe: Grant and Susan Tigwell, guided by Dave Prickett.

The IGFA-qualifying teams were:
• Derek Pruitt and Jeff Ball
• Robert Collins and Michael Gallops, guided by Matt McLean

ABOUT THE CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida began in 1964 when community leaders came together to defeat a proposed “Road to Nowhere” and spearheaded the acquisition and protection of Rookery Bay. The Conservancy is a grassroots organization focused on the critical environmental issues of the Southwest Florida region. Partnering with like-minded organizations, we work to manage growth, protect our waters, land and wildlife and provide environmental education to residents and visitors. We promote sound environmental policies and practices based on solid scientific research. Our Wildlife Rehabilitation Center treats over 2,400 injured, sick and orphaned animals per year and releases about half back into their native habitats.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida and Conservancy Nature Center are located in Naples, FL at 1450 Merrihue Drive, off Goodlette-Frank Road at 14th Avenue North.

A $17 million dollar major renovation project to create a sustainable campus is underway and is just one element of the Conservancy “Saving Southwest Florida” $33 million Capital Campaign.

For information about the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, call (239) 262-0304 or www.conservancy.org.