Wolfson boosts more than Putnam economy

Palatka’s riverfront will be bustling with activity this week as the 32nd annual Wolfson Children’s Hospital Bass Tournament returns.

Hundreds of anglers are expected to participate in Saturday’s main event, competing for cash prizes totaling more than $48,000.

But the big winners of the event will be Wolfson Children’s Hospital, along with the Putnam County economy. Since its inception, the bass tournament has raised more than $5 million for the hospital.

The tournament was canceled last year because of COVID-19.

Brian Seay, co-chairman for the tournament and a past champion of the event, said $3 million has been raised for the hospital during the past 12 years.

“It goes toward things like purchasing equipment for the hospital, and in the last couple of years, the hospital has been able to purchase pediatric heart machines,” Seay said. “It’s a pretty big impact.

“Even without having the tournament last year, we were still able to raise about $300,000 thanks to our great sponsors. It really is amazing. While a lot has changed over the last year, our commitment to helping the children and their families has remained the same.”

Seay said sign-ups will continue for the tournament up until the start time, but he expects 300 to 400 boats. Each boat will have two competitors, making it the second-largest bass tournament in the nation, according to organizers.

Two other tournaments will precede Saturday’s main event, drawing more visitors to Palatka. The Lads and Lasses Tournament is Thursday, which will be followed Friday by the VIP and Friends Tournament.

Seay said tournament organizers have made some changes this year because of the pandemic to make it as safe as possible for competitors, volunteers and fans who want to attend weigh-ins.

“We’re doing online registration as much as we possibly can,” Seay said. “We were concerned we weren’t going to be able to have it again this year, but a lot of work has gone into it.

“We’re doing this for the hospital, so we want to do everything right by them as far as COVID precautions. It’s going to look a little bit different than other bass tournaments. It’s a little bit more challenging, but it’s for the kids and for the hospital.”

While there are no door prizes this year, the public can enter a drawing for a Bullet Boat. The drawing for the grand prize, valued at $68,000, will be broadcast on Facebook Live 11 a.m. on May 22.

Putnam County businesses also stand to win this week.

Chamber of Commerce President Dana Jones estimates the Wolfson events will have about a $1 million impact on the local economy. But she said the Putnam residents benefit from the Jacksonville hospital, too.

“A lot of folks don’t realize that Wolfson services Putnam County children,” Jones said. “Having the tournament here certainly has an economic impact, but we’re also in the hospital’s service region and many Putnam residents have been patients there.”

Jones said the other two events held before Saturday’s tournament keep more people in the area longer, visiting restaurants, hotels and other businesses.

“It’s one of the largest bass tournaments in this part of the country and it’s not the one tournament, but three,” Jones said. “With that many events and visitors, it gets a lot of people in our community spending money that our community business people need there.

“We’re grateful that they’re coming. We missed them last year, but certainly understand why they were very cautionary in not having it. We’re very pleased to see a lot of outdoors events getting cranked back up.”

Seay credited the chamber, the city of Palatka and other organizations and volunteers helping with the tournament.

“Everyone there is absolutely in tune with bass fishing and the bass community, and the changes that have been made there have enabled tournaments to be done easier,” Seay said. “They always bring a lot of people out to volunteer and help us.

“We’re looking forward to it. It’s a really great, fun event, plus it does really great things for the community.”

Late registration for Saturday’s tournament begins 2 a.m. Saturday at the Palatka city docks. Boats will start launching in flights of 50 at safe light. Weigh-ins begin 3 p.m.

For more information on the tournament or to register, visit wolfsonbasstournament.com.

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