Story by Matt Pangrac 

Norman, OK - While on-location for the Bluegrass Brawl at Kentucky Lake, The BASS ZONE learned about a unique benefit tournament from Elite Series angler, Rick Ash. The Ron Phillips Benefit Tournament will be held Saturday, August 16, on the Upper Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. 

Ron, a 13 year-old member of the Tri-County Jr. Bassmasters and a junior member of the Marsh Creek Bassmasters, has been in A.I. Dupont Hospital in Delaware since February. Ron initially entered the hospital for a liver transplant when doctors diagnosed him with Burkitt’s Leukemia. 

The benefit tournament will hold special meaning for Ash, who helps run the Junior Bassmaster club that Ron belongs to. Ash has had the opportunity of taking Ron fishing several times in junior tournaments. “He’s a great kid and really enjoys fishing. Our goal is to get him out of that hospital and get him back on the water and try to help their family out,” said Ash. 

Three Bassmaster clubs in Southeast Pennsylvania are hosting the benefit tournament and have enlisted the help of Ash to spread the word. “They asked me to get in touch with as many of the Elite Series pros as I could, to see if they could help out in any way,” said Ash. “So far, there are six or seven Elite Series pros that are planning on actually fishing in the tournament.” 

Because the benefit tournament will be a team format, chances are being sold to fish with a pro during the event. Additionally, a number of the pros have donated jerseys and tackle that will be auctioned off. “It’s been a great response from the Elite guys.”

Among the items that will be auctioned off include a Denny Brauer jersey and Wheaties box, autographed items from Kevin VanDam, and various autographed clothing and tackle from other Elite Series pros like Rick Clunn, Timmy Horton, Greg Hackney, Marty Stone, and Dave Wolak. Elite Series pro, Dave Smith, has agreed to donate trophies and plaques for the tournament from his company, MTM Recognition, the same company that provides trophies for the Elite Series. 

Many of the anglers fishing the Elite Series are aware of Ron’s story and have also offered words of encouragement to Ron and his family through an internet guest book called Caring Bridge. Amongst the encouraging messages from Ron’s friends and family, are personal messages from Edwin Evers, Mike McClelland, Mike Iaconelli, Aaron Martens, and Denny Brauer, just to name a few. In fact, over 35 Elite Series pros have sent Ron a personal message on the site. 

Ash said that for Ron, receiving personal messages from his fishing heroes has been incredible. “It has just been overwhelming for the family because they have been through some pretty rough times. It’s uplifting for them to see the Elite Series guys giving support. It shows what kind of people our guys are - they are all willing to help,” said Ash. 

To follow updates on Ron’s condition and view his guest book or leave a message for Ron, visit: www.caringbridge.org/visit/ronaldphillips.  

For more information on the Ron Phillips Benefit Tournament, visit: www.marshcreekbassclub.com\rpbt.