Bay Point gives more than $50,000 to charity
By BRAD MILNER News Herald Writer 747-5065 | bmilner@pcnh.com
The Bay Point Invitational Billfish Tournament raised more than $50,000 for area children’s charities during the 26th annual event in July. It was the first year that the tournament went nonprofit, with all remaining revenue after tournament expenses and winnings going to the St. Joe Community Foundation. It was hoped that the addition of the 40/40 Shootout this year would ensure healthy participation, but the new event and the Bay Point Invitational field totaled only 65 entries. The smaller numbers rose legitimate concerns among tournament organizers that there may not be much to go around. The $51,915 pot comprises the remaining revenue, parking fees, a private donation, a late auction of a vendor slot and a silent auction prior to the event. “We were sweating bullets, especially with how the economy was going,” Bay Point Invitational co-Tournament Director Scott Burt said Thursday. “But a lot of things came together for us and the most important fact is we impacted the area children’s charities.” The major share of the monies, $35,885, went to the St. Joe Foundation, which then split it evenly between three local charities: Anchorage Children’s Home, Boys and Girls Club of Bay County and the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center. Proceeds from parking, which was $10 per car, raised $16,030. Those monies benefited the Bay County Sheriff ’s Office’s Junior Deputy Program. The St. Joe Foundation was given $4,000 for its charities after the 2008 tournament. The 27th annual Bay Point Invitational will take place July 15-18, 2010.