TOURNAMENT HISTORY 



The tournament was started by the First Flight Lions 

 Club in Kill Devil Hills in 1983 with 12 participants. "We 

 started it locally at the Nags Head Pier," says Dave Crana, 

 VIP board member. 



"By word of mouth it has expanded. It is a really 

 gratifying to help with this event" 



Over the years, the tournament has become so 

 popular that there is a waiting list for participants. 



"We put out applications around the first of May," 

 says White. "By the first of June, we are filled up and have 

 a waiting list." 



The tournament has become so successful that is 

 being used as a model program by Lions members in other 

 states. 



"It is our understanding that South Carolina and 

 Virginia would like to start a tournament on a smaller 

 scale than the one in North Carolina," says Sid Scruggs, 

 past director of the Lions Clubs International. "Because 

 of the success of the North Carolina tournament, other 

 coastal states also are considering this type of tournament 

 for the visually impaired in their state. Our ultimate goal 

 is to get more states involved and develop an interstate 

 championship." 



One of the keys to the tournament's success is 

 community involvement. Each year, the N.C. Lions 

 Foundation, Outer Banks businesses and the Lions' Adopt- 

 A-Fisherman program fund the tournament. 



"This tournament is a great example of a public/ 

 private partnership," says Jack Thigpen, North Carolina Sea 

 Grant extension director. "It really pulls the community 

 together and gives the participants a memory that will last a 

 lifetime." 



Over the years, tournament officials have overcome a 

 number of obstacles. 



During the aftermath of Hurricane Isabel that 

 damaged Hatteras Island in 2003, officials moved the 

 tournament from all but one oceanfront fishing pier. They 

 were able to use the Washington Baum Bridge public pier 

 operated by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 



Manteo High School students served as volunteers on 

 the bridge. "They interacted with the visually impaired so 

 well," says White. "They were able to sit and visit with them 

 and weren't intimidated. It was a great experience for both 

 the teens and the participants." 



TOP: Volunteer Kern Good unhooks a fish for a VIP BOTTOM: 

 judi and Sid Scruggs enjoy helping with the tournament. 



16 SPRING 2005 



