President's Message

Welcome to the 51st Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament! As we begin our second half century, let me assure you that the board of directors and staff have been hard at work making sure that Big Rock anglers and sponsors are once again treated with true Big Rock hospitality. Although this year’s tournament will not be on the grand scale of the 50th Anniversary Celebration, several things from last year’s successful tournament will be back for 2009.

Leading the way at the Captains Party will be the Celebration Club, a band from Atlanta, Georgia that you do not want to miss! All evidence points to the fact that they will ring in our next 50 years in style. At the scales on the Morehead City waterfront, spectators and fishermen alike will enjoy another year of watching themselves on a Jumbotron big screen, complete with live video of all the action from the weigh station. The new category for the first 500 pound marlin brought to the scales was so successful; it is back for 2009 as well. Just like last year, I hope to meet some lucky boat at the scales and write them a check for winning this exciting category. Also, if you can’t make it to Morehead City for the daily weigh-ins, be sure to watch all the live action from the comfort of your home or office as the Big Rock brings you streaming video again this year. Of course, our award-winning website is better than ever. You can listen to the committee boat radio again over the internet and you can even join us on Facebook and Twitter for this year. Be sure to sign up soon so you won’t miss a thing.

Our sponsor line-up continues to grow with Coble Trench Safety taking over as our Presenting Sponsor for 2009. Tom Coble and his associates deserve our thanks for stepping up from last year’s sponsor position and leading our list of loyal and dedicated sponsors. It is also nice to welcome back Linda Rike/Ed Daughety Real Estate as Diamond Sponsor. Platinum Sponsor’s this year include Jarrett Bay Boatworks, Wachovia Bank, MTU/Covington Power Services, Bailey’s Fine Jewelry, Crown Royal, Overton’s/Consumer’s Marine, Seegars Fence Company and Liquid Video Productions. I urge you to support these businesses throughout the year as a way of saying thank you to them for their ongoing support.

Significant changes are in store for the Ladies Big Rock, too. As many of you know, Keli Wagner, beloved wife of long-time board member, Casey Wagner, lost her courageous battle with cancer in late 2008 and in honor of her glowing spirit and commitment to the lady angler tournament, the board has voted to change the name to the Keli Wagner Big Rock Lady Angler Tournament. The ladies will still have a chance to compete for the coveted “Best Dressed” team prize as well as a cash purse for billfish releases and gamefish. The lady angler sea bag will be filled with Keli’s favorite things this year – including some special gifts from Neiman-Marcus, The Tea Clipper and Vera Bradley. You can get involved by entering the tournament without even having to leave the dock. So ladies, put your team together, dress up and join us for the Keli Wagner Tournament – with the proceeds of the tournament going to the Raab Cancer Clinic at Carteret General Hospital, right here in Morehead City. The Raab Clinic will continue to use these donations to provide patient comfort and care above and beyond their normal service levels. Unquestionably, this is a great event for an ever greater cause!

While our focus remains on our participants and sponsors, the Big Rock will continue to raise money for worthwhile charities. Many wonderful organizations such as Newport Developmental Center, North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, Broad Street Clinic, East Carolina Boy Scouts and others are so very grateful for the ongoing support that they receive from the Big Rock. Without the support of our faithful participants and sponsors, none of these donations would be possible. Thank you all!

As I finish my term as President, I want to thank Crystal Watters, our tournament director, for her unfailing support and devotion to the Big Rock. To say we are fortunate to have someone who is so dedicated to the Big Rock is a true understatement. Thank you , Crystal! Also special thanks to Rowanne Robertson, our tournament assistant and webmaster, who makes everything roll along so smoothly and does it with such ease. And to our many volunteers – those of you who stuff sea bags, answer the phone, give directions , sell t-shirts and help at the weigh station – you have my personal thanks. We could not be the Big Rock without you.

Tight lines and good fishing,

Tom Bennett, Jr.
President

Tom Bennett
President
Treasurer, Big Rock Foundation
A native of Morehead City and member of the board since 1987, Tom serves the Big Rock with his over 21 years of experience in the tourism industry and community leadership. Having held all the elected positions in the tournament gives Tom an added level of understanding of all that the Big Rock does throughout the year. An avid fisherman, Tom particularly enjoys flyfishing for everything from tailing red drum to sailfish.