2019 marked the 30th anniversary of the tournament, which has raised more than $4 million for Wolfson Children’s Hospital.

Jacksonville, FL – A team from Lake Butler, Fla., won big at the 30th Annual Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament Saturday, taking home $15,000.

Kenneth Owen and Cole Kite won the big fish competition with a bass weighing in at 10.87 pounds. The pair also won the overall competition with a five-fish aggregate weight of 28.84 pounds. Second place overall went to Charles Minta and Drew Rogers, of Macclenny, Fla., with an aggregate weight of 22.74 pounds after a .25 deduction for one deceased fish. Jason Reed and David Davis took home third place overall at 22.03 pounds and third place in the big bass competition with a bass weighing 8.31 pounds. Richard Ng and Scott Dunkley caught just one fish and placed 94th overall, but took home second place in the big bass competition with a bass weighing 8.50 pounds.

More than 1,000 anglers in around 600 boats took part in the three-day tournament, which is recognized as the largest bass fishing tournament in Florida and the second largest in the country. Proceeds from the tournament will support Wolfson Children’s Hospital’s heart surgery program and the new partnership with UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

“This is what it’s all about,” said Tournament Chairman Brian Seay of Miller Electric in Jacksonville. “Giving back to our community and helping the children and families. I guarantee that at some point in your life, you will have your own story about Wolfson Children’s Hospital or will know someone who does.”

The Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament began in 1989, when the director of the Plant Facilities department of Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, along with several others, wanted to raise funds for technological advancements at Wolfson Children's Hospital. Today it is the largest tournament in the state raising money for kids. The tournament beneficiary, Wolfson Children's Hospital, provides comprehensive medical and surgical care for sick and injured children across North Florida and South Georgia.

The 2020 Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament is scheduled to take place May 14-16. Registration opens in February, 2020.

For more information on the tournament, visit wolfsonbasstournament.com.

Services provided at Wolfson Children’s Hospital are provided primarily by pediatric physician specialists with Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Jacksonville, University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville and Emergency Resources Group.

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Wolfson Children’s Hospital relies on the generosity of members of our community. To support Wolfson Children’s Hospital, please visit wolfsonchildrens.com.

About Wolfson Children’s Hospital of Jacksonville
Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, is a part of Baptist Health, Northeast Florida’s most comprehensive health system serving every stage of life. Wolfson Children’s is the only children’s hospital in Northeast Florida and serves as the pediatric referral center for North Florida, South Georgia and beyond. Staffed 24/7 by pediatric nurses and other healthcare professionals specially trained to work with children, the 216-bed, patient- and family-centered hospital features the latest pediatric medical technology in a welcoming, child-friendly environment. At Wolfson Children’s, nationally recognized pediatric specialists representing nearly every medical and surgical specialty work with pediatricians to provide care for children of all ages with congenital heart conditions, cancer, neurological disorders, diabetes and endocrinology disorders, orthopaedic conditions, behavioral health conditions, traumatic injuries, and more. Wolfson Children’s pediatric institutional partners include Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Jacksonville, the University of Florida College of Medicine—Jacksonville and Mayo Clinic Florida. A Magnet™-designated hospital since 2007, Wolfson Children’s Hospital has been named among the U.S. News & World Report 50 Best Children’s Hospitals year after year, and in 2018, was selected as one of only 13 children’s hospitals in the country as a Leapfrog Top Children’s Hospital, a recognition of patient quality and safety. For additional information, please visit wolfsonchildrens.com.