2016 Florida Sportsman Bass & Birdies Classic

Fishing tackle industry figures from around the world showed their drive at the third annual Florida Sportsman Bass & Birdies Classic. The unique event, a hybrid golf and bass tournament, heralds the opening of the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, or ICAST, which is the world's premier fishing tackle trade show.

This year, 96 golfers took to the greens at Celebration Golf Club in Orlando for a pleasurable best-ball scramble combined with a bass fishing tournament. Bass & Birdies Classic director Rick Ryals said that $3,000 in proceeds from the event were donated to Keep America Fishing, an advocacy network working to minimize access restrictions, promote clean waters and restore fish populations.

After a morning of golf and fishing, participants gathered in the clubhouse for hot dogs and hamburgers. There was also a Bass & Birdies Classic raffle, featuring products donated by industry sponsors Yamaha, Costa, YETI, Power-Pole, Daiwa, Trophy Catch, Nosara Paradise Rentals, Plantation at Crystal River and Bass Pro Shops.

Blair Wickstrom, Publisher of Florida Sportsman, announced the winners of the event in each category.

For the women, Hallie McCaskill led the way with the longest drive of the day, and it was Eric Thomas who made the farthest drive for the men. At the 13th hole, golfers competed to get the ball closest to the pin, and it was Kyle McKelvey who triumphed.

Bass fishing was on the slow side, with mid-July water temperatures reaching into the high nineties. There was a four-way tie for the Most Bass award—one fish each. The tie-breaker went to the team with the 2nd largest bass: Clark Wendlandt, Scott Wendlandt, Wade Middleton, and Rusty Trancygier. The largest bass of the day measured 12.75 inches and was caught by Reel Time with Florida Sportsman host George Gozdz along with his teammates Tayler Brothers, John Hoagland, and Lee Fromson.

The Overall Winners award for the 2016 Florida Sportsman Bass & Birdies Classic went to the team of Clark Wendlandt, Scott Wendlandt, Wade Middleton and Rusty Trancygier with a final score of 53.4 for the day—their 18-hole golf score minus the number of inches of the bass.

To check out previous years of the Florida Sportsman Bass&Birdies Classic, click the links below.

http://www.floridasportsman.com/2015/08/03/2015-florida-sportsman-bass-birdies-classic-success/

http://www.floridasportsman.com/2014/07/22/low-scores-big-bass-highlight-golf-fishing-event/

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