19Th Kyle Page Tournament Saturday On Lake Murray Still Helping Families
Bass fishermen love charity tournaments because they can help a good cause while trying to win some money and enjoy catching fish at the same time. That is the big reason the MSKP Kyle Page Tournament on Lake Murray will hold its 19th edition of the tournament helping families with special needs children Saturday out of Dreher Island State Park.
Over the past 18 years, the tournament has provided financial assistance to local families to the tune of about $600,000.
The first “Kyle Page Open Team Bass Tournament” was held in 1997 to benefit the Page family, which faced mounting medical bills after Kyle was born with spina bifida, a birth defect of the spine. The tournament was a huge success raising over $10,000 for Kyle’s family.
After seeing the success of the tournament and the outpouring of the community, Kyle’s dad, the late Joel Page, a local bass tournament fisherman, asked to continue the tournament to raise money for other families in need of assistance to care for children with special medical needs. For nearly two decades the tournament has been a staple of the springtime tournament scene at Lake Murray.
Meantime, Kyle Page has grown up and is now a senior at Chapin High School. The 18-year-old was experiencing some major medical issues, undergoing five surgeries, including major back surgery, between the 2013 and 2014 tournaments.
“Last year was pretty rough, but I seem to be on the right path now,” Kyle said.
The entry fee is $150 per boat, with a guaranteed first place prize of $5,000. The total payout is based on the number of boats entered, but usually it runs about 15 places, Kyle said.
“We pay two big fish. The first big fish is $300 and the second big fish is $200.”
Historically, the tournament draws 150 to nearly 200 boats. As of the first of the week more than 40 teams had already registered. Brett Collins, Owner/Director of the Carolina Anglers Team Trail, LLC, will serve as weighmaster.
Drop boxes for registration forms are located at Wilson’s II in Little Mountain and The Station at Dreher Island.
While the anglers are fishing, the state park takes on a family atmosphere. The Part-Timers Band with Bryan Stockman will provide music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities for children include the DNR’s new Boat Simulator. There will be T-shirts and insulated cups for sale, along with raffle tickets for prizes. Hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries and drinks will be available also.
MSKP Kyle Page Charity Bass Tournament
Sat, Apr 25, 2015
Lake Murray
Dreher Island State Park
Call Beth Frick at 803-945-7879 or Shelly Page at 803-345-3468
