Tarpon tourney raises more than $100K
REFUGE/DDWS
Team Salt Rock took first place for a $28,080 purse at the 12th annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament on May 10.
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge reported that early estimates for the 12th annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament on May 10 indicate earnings of over $100,000 from sponsorships and donations to support water-quality research and conservation at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel. To date, the tourney has raised $1,280,000 and it has awarded an additional $439,190 to the winning teams during its 12-year history. The first-of-its-kind event to benefit conservation and award 100% of its fees to winners, it began to support local fishing guides and connect with anglers to educate and make them part of conservation efforts.