Over $3,600 Awarded at SIC Brenner Memorial Bass Tourney

Thirty boats roared out of the Golconda Marina on the Ohio River Saturday morning, June 1, to compete in the annual Rodney J. Brenner Memorial Buddy Bass Tournament sponsored by the Southeastern Illinois College Foundation. The 60 anglers headed for their favorite fishing holes in hopes of catching enough large-mouth bass to win the event’s $1,512 first place prize money.

At the end of the day, 12 anglers received $3,660 in total prize money. Justin Conkle and Brady Blair both of Elizabethtown weighed in at 12.5 pounds of fish to capture the top prize. The team of Steve Sanders of Vienna and Mike Mott of Simpson took second place with their 11.55 pound catch. They took home $840 for their efforts.

With 10.065 pounds of fish, Edd Penrod of Eldorado and Chris Penrod from Harrisburg earned third place honors and $504 in prize money. Jody Betz of Stonefort and BJ Betz of Marion finished in fourth place with 9.77 pounds of bass, garnering them $336 in winnings. Finally, fifth place prize money of $168 went to the Eldorado team of Bill Penrod and Jerry Penrod for their 8.345 pound catch.

In the Big Bass competition, Sanders and Mott won first place and a $180 check for landing a 4.825 pound fish. Second place and $90 went to Conkle and Blair with a bass weighing in at 4.465 pounds, while the team of Edd Penrod and Chris Penrod caught a 3.62 pound bass to claim third place and a check for $30.

Major sponsors of this year’s tournament were All In One Real Estate Company (Elite Sponsor); Taylor Eye Care (Master Sponsor); (Angler Sponsor); Morello’s Restaurant & Catering (Angler Sponsor); Williams & Associates Insurance (Angler Sponsor); and Banterra Bank (Angler Sponsor). Other sponsors included the Golconda Marina, Cherry Street Printing & Awards, Dunn’s Sporting Goods, Timberline Fisheries and the Herald-Enterprise.

The SIC Brenner Memorial Bass Tournament was established by the Southeastern Illinois College Foundation in remembrance of Mr. Rodney J. Brenner to raise funds for scholarships for incoming SIC students from the college district. Brenner was a charter member of the Southeastern Illinois College Board of Trustees and was instrumental in pursuing Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) funding for the development of the Golconda Marina.

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