PORT ARANSAS, Texas -- The Texas Independent Automotive Association held its annual scholarship fishing tournament here May 21, 2010 and raised $4,000 toward its scholarship and training reimbursement programs.
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| Luke Harms measures and weighs fish during the tournament. (Photo by Gary Pundt) |
This was the fourth year in a row that Luke Harms from D&S Garage organized the event that helps fund the TIAA scholarship program.
Harms said the reason he organizes the tournament he loves to fish, but "it gives me a chance to give something back to this organization that has given so much to me. And it also gives me a chance to do my part in supporting our industry and a chance to help a young person succeed in a very challenging industry."
There were many different prize categories this year. Cash prizes were given to first and second place winners for biggest red fish in the guided and unguided categories. There were also cash prizes awarded to the biggest trout for guided and unguided categories, and also a prize for the heaviest stringer.
About two dozen families and friends participated in this event.
The winners are as follows:
Unguided:
1st place Redfish - Darryl Holiday (AC Delco)
2nd place Redfish - Darrel Lansford (Texas Mutual)
1st place Trout - Cindy Sekula
2nd place Trout - Larry Harms (Sanford Auto Service)
Heaviest Stringer - D&S Garage and Diesel Service
Guided:
1st place Redfish - Gary Pundt (Alamo Heights Garage)
2nd place Redfish - Ernie Hunter(Techstar Equipment)
1st place Trout - Pete Beltran (Golden West Oil)
2nd place Trout - Michael Calderon (Car Pro)
Heaviest Stringer - Ernie Hunter and Pete Beltran (Techstar/Golden West Oil)
This year the event was held on a Friday, and that gave everyone a chance to slip off for a three day weekend of fishing and fun.
TIAA held its annual business meeting May 22, 2010 where members received an annual update on the status of the association. Members also elected and installed the new board of directors.
Congratulations are in order for the new leaders of the association:
State President: Louie Sirianni
Vise President: Lori Jondron
Treasure: David Burch
Secretary: Wayne Van Den Berge
Sergeant at Arms: Gabe Mendez