About PBOBI
One Million Dollars, $1,000,000, I do not care how many times you say it, that is a lot of money. When we started the PBOBI and chose Make-A-Wish as our charity to support, we knew this could become something special. No one realized then how really special it would become. Fourteen years ago at our first tournament, it rained and thundered, and the wind blew. One Million Dollars. We just hoped for a few fishermen and a few sponsors to help some special kids. If we achieve the goal we have set for this year, PBOBI, our sponsors, and our fishermen, will have contributed over $1,050,000 in official money to make dreams come true. The generosity of the Permian Basin never ceases to amaze us.
At the Kid’s Tournament last June we had 36 Make-A-Wish kids enjoy the weekend. This was a tremendous number. This year looks to be even bigger. Every year we wonder if we will have enough boats to take all of the kid’s out, but every year you show up. I urge you to do something special for the kids and even more special for you. Bring your boat and show up Saturday, June 14th for one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
Congratulations
Strange things have happened when we give away boats and mules. Some guy will win the boat two years in a row (Ricky Van Cleave), some guy that was a visionary to help start this tournament wins it (Mike Mundy), and then last year the same guy wins both the boat and the mule!!!!!!!!! Congratulations go to Ken Goldsmith. One thing all of our winners through the years have had in common is they all were ardent supporters of this tournament and MAW prior to winning boats and mules. This is what sets this tournament apart from others. It is nice to win money, door prizes, and even boats, but what our fishermen are all about is fun, fellowship, and making wishes come true. I do not know about you but I will forget a lot of things before I forget the impact Jordananne made on us last April. That is what PBOBI is all about.
Sandy Creek Marina will again have another Triton 21X with a Mercury 225 HP Optimax for us. The rumor is that this year’s boat will be silver and black. This will be the 9th year for Sandy Creek and Triton to be involved with us and they have certainly been a great asset to our tournament, thank you Johnny Stoker. Last year we had such a good response to the Kawasaki Mule raffle we will have another series 600 Mule from Sandy Creek. Check out the ATV’s, new and used boats on their website www.sandycreekmarina.com
The tournament will again be limited to the first 250 paid teams due to the space limitation of the Ballenger Civic Center. We do not wish to see anyone left out on all the fun, so please register early. Remember this is an oilfield tournament. Both fishermen must be oilfield.
In 2007 over $150,000 was donated by PBOBI to Make-A-Wish to make wishes come true.
In 1995, the idea of holding a bass tournament to promote camaraderie between oilfield workers began. Providing a great opportunity to get everyone together for a fun weekend of fishing was the intention of the tournament. By choosing a charity to sponsor and make the focus of the event, a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the generosity of the oilfield was also provided. After careful consideration, the West Texas Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation was chosen. Associating the tournament with this charity has been rewarding beyond anyone’s wildest expectations.
From a humble beginning of 112 teams the tournaments first year (1995), the tournament has grown to 250 teams, the maximum capacity of the tournament. Entry into the tournament is limited due to the size of the Civic Center in Ballinger, Texas, where meals and the awards ceremony are held. The fishermen and volunteers are fed three meals during the course of the weekend. This large feat is accomplished quickly and efficiently with the help of over 100 volunteers that freely give of their time and money. Besides the prize money awarded to the fishermen, numerous door prizes are raffled off including a fully rigged Triton 21X with a 225hp motor valued at $50,000. Over and above the many great prizes awarded is the grand prize for all involved: to see the look on the entire group’s face when the Make-A Wish child for the year and their family tells about the wishes that have been made possible through the time and money donated in the previous tournaments.
Going into the tournament’s 14th year the gifts and donations received have been directly responsible for the granting of over 190 special kid’s wishes. To date, through the generosity of our sponsors and fishermen, PBOBI has contributed more than $1,150,000 to Make-A-Wish.
Five years ago the Make-A-Wish chapter of New Mexico was also included in this project due to the number of fishermen and sponsors from southeastern New Mexico.