Scott Canterbury wasn't the only winner at Beaver Lake last weekend.
At the Will Fish for Kids Bill Kerr Memorial Charity Tournament on Monday, $203,894.60 – a record amount for the event – was raised for the Dental Clinic at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Entry fees paid by pro contestants and Walmart employees, as well as corporate boat sponsorships, were collected prior to the event. That money, along with funds raised at Sunday night’s registration dinner and silent auction, combined to smash the previous record of $88,710 which was donated last year.
“This was just an incredible event to be a part of and I am so proud of everybody that stayed in Arkansas after the FLW Tour event and could participate,” said FLW Tour pro Shirley Crain of Fort Smith, Ark., who was the honorary chair organizer for the event. “It was an honor to host this event and it warms my heart to know what we accomplished for the kids.”
Since 2005, Will Fish for Kids has raised more than $940,594 for the Dental Clinic at Arkansas Children's Hospital.
The tournament was won by Walmart pro David Dudley and Jason Piper, who also represented Walmart. The duo had a magical day on Beaver Lake with a limit weighing 23-07, larger than any limit ever before weighed in FLW competition at Beaver.
“We talk about lakes that you can make up ground at, like Okeechobee,” Dudley said. “At Beaver Lake, once you’re 5 pounds behind you’ve accepted that you’re not going to win, but after today I won’t ever count myself out again.”