(Aug. 19, 2022) Thursday was the first fishing day of the 28th annual Capt. Steve Harman’s Poor Girls Open, and female anglers will have two more days – today and Saturday – to compete for cash prizes.
As of Thursday morning, 161 boats carrying 797 lady anglers have entered this year’s competition, although there is still time to register. Teams can sign up through Saturday, but are not eligible for the added entry-level calcuttas.
The entry fee is $450 per boat for up to three anglers. Additional anglers may be added at $50 each, with a maximum of six total per boat.
Teams have the option to fish one of the three tournament days: Thursday, Aug. 18, Friday, Aug. 19, or Saturday, Aug. 20.
Weigh-ins will take place from 4-7:30 p.m. at Bahia Marina, 22nd Street, bayside. The ladies will be competing for an estimated $240,000 in prize money.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top-three teams with the most billfish release points. Anglers who boat the three heaviest tuna, dolphin and wahoo will also receive cash prizes. Catch reports must be turned in by 9 p.m. the day a team fishes, in person to tournament organizers at Bahia Marina.
An awards luncheon is scheduled for Sunday at the Ocean City convention center, with food provided by Centerplate.
Pink Ribbon merchandise will be for sale near the weigh-in scale in the Bahia Marina/Fish Tales parking lot and several vendors will also have booths set up featuring art, clothing and jewelry. There will also be a 50/50 raffle as well as an auction. Donations will be accepted as well for the American Cancer Society.
Groups and individuals could participate in a Battle of the Bras competition. For a $25 entry fee, which goes to breast cancer research, tournament participants could decorate a bra and have it on display during weigh-ins.
Visitors to Fish Tales/Bahia Marina during Poor Girls Open can vote for their favorite. Every $1 equals one vote. The Battle of the Bras winner will be announced Saturday at 7:30 p.m. during the weigh-ins. The winner will receive a $100 gift card to Fish Tales.
In 2021, a total of 771 lady anglers fished on 155 boats, over $257,000 was distributed among the winners, and $125,000 was presented to the American Cancer Society.
Many women, including cancer survivors, make it a tradition to fish annually. Women enjoy fishing in the tournament because it benefits a worthy cause — breast cancer research.
Tournament proceeds are donated to the American Cancer Society and earmarked for breast cancer research and program development as part of the “Pink Ribbon Classic at the Beach Series” – an assortment of local activities to raise breast cancer awareness while garnering money for the organization.
The funds raised will support the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer initiatives, which includes programs and services for breast cancer patients and survivors, information on prevention, screening, treatment and research, according to Mary Bellis, senior community development manager, Northeast Region, for the American Cancer Society Inc.
“We are honored that the Harman family continues to support the American Cancer Society with the Poor Girls Open,” Bellis said. “Their dedication and hard work ensure that this tournament is a success for the anglers as well as breast cancer patients.”
Other Pink Ribbon Classic events this year are:
• Pickleball Round Robin, Friday, Oct. 7, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ocean Pines Pickleball Club. Cost is $35. For more information, contact Chris Shook at 443-614-1504 or email cshook09@yahoo.com.
• Mah Jongg Tournament, Wednesday, Oct. 12, at Golden Sands Resort in Ocean City, beginning at 9 a.m. Cost is $40. For more information, contact Bellis at 410-726-1893, mary.bellis@cancer.org.
• Pamper Yourself for Charity Raffle throughout the month of October at A Perfect Face Day Spa in West Ocean City.
Since 2005, the total donated to the American Cancer Society by the Harman family through the tournament and other events is over $1.7 million.
In 2004, the tournament was renamed to honor the founder of the event, the late Capt. Steve Harman.
He and his wife, Pam, started the Poor Girls Open in 1994 to provide women with an opportunity to compete for prizes and money in a ladies-only tournament, and to raise money for local charities. Harman died in February 2004, so organizers thought it was appropriate the tournament be renamed in his memory.
For more information about the Poor Girls Open, call Bahia Marina at 410-289-7438.
To learn more about the American Cancer Society, visit www.cancer.org or call 1-800-227-2345. Cancer Survivors Network available at www.cancer.org, a 24-hour-a-day cancer information center; and 1-800-227-2345 for patients to access ACS services.
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Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable.
Partly cloudy early followed by cloudy skies overnight. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable.
Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High 78F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
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