On June 8, Florida Keys Elks Lodge #1872 held its 10th annual Ladies Dolphin Tournament, presented by Stormtech Restoration, with 83 anglers aboard 31 boats. Lodge member Dianne Harbaugh was the tournament director. Winners were determined by the combined weight of three fish. Anglers Robyn Frick and Sherri Santese of Tavernier fishing with Aimee Anderson from Key Largo won first place, at 17.6 pounds. First-place tiaras and trophies, sponsored by Upper Keys Marine Construction, and bouquets of flowers from Key Largo Florist were awarded to the winners along with a large travel bag full of prizes from local merchants and $3,000. Captain Brian Barrus of the Gone Fishing in Key Largo received a pasta print and Mate JR took home a new fishing rod and reel, sponsored by Townsend Plumbing. Santese’s 10.3 pound dolphin was the largest of the tournament, netting her a $1,000 check along with a Depaula Jewelers gold sailfish pendant and another bouquet of flowers. Second place trophies sponsored by Miller Recreation and North Miami Motorsports went to anglers Ashley Fernandez and Elizabeth Keeskes from Key Largo and Mari Cortez of Tavernier, at 17.2 pounds. The team took home a travel bag full of items donated by local businesses and $1,500. Top Junior angler, 15-year-old Victoria Puente from Miami, fishing with Captain Jim Puente and Mark Aiken on the Bottom Line, weighed in a 3.8 pound fish to take home the David Wirth circle hook trophy and a tiara. Prizes packages and trophies were awarded to the top 10 teams. The event included a raffle and silent auction as well, with items from the community. The event raised more than $50,000, which will be used to support Florida Elks Children’s Therapy Services, the Florida Elks Youth Camp, the Harry-Anna Trust Fund, the Elks National Foundation, local school lunch and snack programs, student achievement awards, veterans’ trips abroad, Vets on the Water, and many other local needs.
Pictured are first place winners, lodge members Robyn Frick and Sherri Santese; second place winners Ashley Fernandez, Elizabeth Keeskes and Mari Cortez; and Top Junior angler, Victoria Puente.