It was a beautiful day on Center Hill Lake last Saturday afternoon, a perfect day for being on the water, fishing, and raising money for a good cause. The second annual Brandon Elder Scholarship Bass Tournament was a big success at Pates Ford Marina, with 26 boats participating and 15 boats weighing in.
The money raised during the event will support the Brandon Elder Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to deserving DeKalb County High School seniors.
According to Harry Elder, Brandon’s father, Brandon loved education, and nourished creativity in himself and others. "Our son passed away right before his 29th birthday, two years ago. He was working on his second degree at MTSU, so we decided to do a four-year scholarship that is $4,000, in his name," Elder told the Review. "It got started with Brandon talking to his mother about kids having the opportunity to go to college from DeKalb County. From that conversation we decided we should give a scholarship out and help some kids around here."
Barry Vandergriff and Ronnie Vincent, both of Warren County, took first place in the tournament, and the $2,000 grand prize, with a weigh-in of 18.76 pounds. Vincent also took the $250 biggest fish prize for 5.74-pound largemouth.
Matt Stanley and Brandon Tramel claimed second place with 17.44 pounds, while Billy Walker and Steven Walker came in third with 16.17 pounds.
Charlie Sunderland and Greg Martin took fourth place with 16.15 pounds, and Jayson Johnson and Elmus Johnson claimed fifth place with 15.73 pounds.