RICH HILL, MO – The 9th Annual “Fishing for a Cure” Buddy Bass Tournament, held April 20 in Rich Hill, MO, raised over $600 for the fight against cystic fibrosis, a deadly genetic disease.
With rain all week, the day may have been a little muddy, but the sun appeared and the beautiful weather brought 15 teams to this year’s competition. The tournament is an annual event to benefit Team Grace and all proceeds are donated directly to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Teams of two checked in three fish each and prizes were awarded for total weight and biggest bass overall. Anthony Harrison and Brad Garver won the first place trophy with his catch of three largemouth bass for a total weight of 15 lbs., 12 oz. They won trophies, two Abu Garcia reels, Kansas Speedway tickets for the Nationwide race in October, and $100, which they donated back to Team Grace.
Last year’s winners, Joe Rogers and Jeff Fairbanks, came in second place overall with a total catch of 14 lbs., 5 oz. They won two Abu Garcia reels. For the second year in a row, Joe checked in the largest bass of the tournament, weighing in at 5 lbs., 11 oz. to win the “biggest bass cash pot” and graciously donated the money back to Team Grace. Jerry Cornelius and Doug Duncan came in third with a haul of 12 lbs., 2 oz.
With generous sponsor donations, all competitors received door prizes including hats and fishing gear. At check-in, everyone enjoyed a smoked pulled pork meal. Sponsors included Natalea Hoeper, Terry and Dixie Hoeper, Insurtec Insurance, Chadd Duncan and Food Fair, Fat Boyz Baits, Wingfoot Tire Center of KC, Central Power Products of Liberty, International Used Truck Center of KC. Clint McKinley donated the traveling trophies.
Team Grace is a group formed to support Grace Beshore and her battle with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Grace Beshore is the ten-year-old daughter of Insurtec’s Chris Beshore, niece of Natalea Hoeper and granddaughter of Terry and Dixie Hoeper. CF affects approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: “A defective gene causes the body to produce abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections.” In the 1950s, few children with CF lived past Grace’s current age, but with donations from events like this, along with the strong commitment of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the life expectancy of CF patients has risen to 37 years.
To learn more about the event, make a charitable donation or get more information about upcoming events, visit walkforgrace.com or call Chris Beshore at 417.395.2770.
