They have raised that money by holding a bass tournament on Lake Norman a little bit at a time, some years $7,000 or $8,000, some other years up to $12,000 to $15,000. Not bad for a group of hard working Shriners who are not actually bass fishermen themselves.

And they do it on a shoestring, depending on local businesses and individuals to donate $100 to $250 each to support the effort for the children. With no major sponsors and no boat to give to the winners, it’s hard to compete with the myriad of other tournaments held on Lake Norman, said Shrine Club tournament organizer Bill Cork of Denver, N.C.

The Lake Norman Shrine Club will hold the 36^th annual Dogwood Bass Tournament on Lake Norman out of Midway Marina Saturday. It is the longest-running charity tournament held on the lake.

Entry fee is $100 per team with and additional optional big fish pot. The total guaranteed purse is $5,500, Cork said, with $2,500 for first place down to $100 for 10^th place. The last two years the tournament has drawn 72 boats, he said.

So far, Cork said, the club is running about $800 short on sponsor donations, so there is plenty of opportunity for local businesses to promote their company while helping the children in need with a small donation.

“In the last few years if we are close to an even figure our club just sticks in the rest of the money,” Cork said. “The Shriners Hospital is currently helping over 280 children from the Catawba and surrounding areas.”

Cork also noted that all proceeds above the payout for the tournament goes to the hospital because Shriners can’t put a price on what they do for kids, so they do it for free.

 

LAKE NORMAN SHRINE CLUB DOGWOOD BASS TOURNAMENT

Apr 3-4, 2015

Lake Norman

Midway Marina

Call William Cork at (704) 516-0506