b"Classic ReflectionsA Tribute to the People & Events that Made the Palm Beach County KDW Classic SpecialBy: Tom TwyfordB y now you have likely heard that the West Palm Beachduring those early years they were truly a community partner. Fishing Club (WPBFC) will no longer be hosting the PalmTo date the Fishing Clubs KDW Classic has donated $33,500 to Beach County KDW Classic.The club launched the event in 2003.the Citys Scholarship Fund for kids headed off to college.At the time, there was nothing else like it.Cancelling the tourna- An early feature of the KDW Classic was the Bimini Start ment is bittersweet.We will all miss the great party, but the eventoutside Palm Beach Inlet.Hundreds of idling boats would roar production and format are no longer sustainable.Through theto life when the Coast Guard launched the signal flare.Watch-years many memories were made at the KDW Classic.Junior an- ing the boats throttle up was a site to behold, and it was loud.A glers grew into adult anglers, someVIP viewing boat gave local fantastic fish were caught, awardAn early yearsKDW Classic Bimini start dignitaries a ring side seat to the winners would sometimes danceimage by Wright's Aerial Photography chaos.Once the fleet departed, their way to the main stage, infec- we hosted them for breakfast at tious smiles abounded when smallthe Riviera Beach Marina Tiki kids won hundred dollar bills atBar.Tiki Bar owners Bob & the Treasure Chest and raffle win- Tommy Gregory were always ners would literally scream withvery supportive.The Tiki was excitement when their numberthe place to be pre-and-post was called.Those fun memoriestournament, and the Gregory were made thanks to a dedicated group ofVIP's offload the brothers always made us feel welcomed.individuals to whom the club owes much 'Island Queen' For many years, we had a tournament gratitude. after viewingcommittee boat that was responsible for The KDW Classic was conceived onethe 2004checking boats out in the morning and afternoon at Tuppens Marine & TackleBimini Startback in at the end of the day.One year around Bud Tyskas office desk.Bud wasa local gentlemans club approached us Tuppens longtime manager and a Fishingwanting to sponsor the event.In a weak Club board member.Bud, then Penn Fish- moment we allowed them to take a not ing Tackle Rep Gary Walker and myselfso low-key profile by putting their ex-concluded that there was a market for aotic dancers on the committee boat.The family oriented KDW style tournament with some unique ele- scantily clad gals tossed cold beers to the boats as they returned. ments, and that the WPBFC was just the organization to produceWe quickly concluded that this was probably not a good fit for it. What followed was an instant hit. Buds role in the success ofa tournament that billed itself as a family fishing event.Club this tournament through the years cannot be overstated.Openboard member Butch Farrell assumed the committee boat duties to members and non-members alike, the event featured dozensthereafter.Butchwas supported by his wife Sandy, Bill Bandel, of cash awards and a multitude of merchandise for prizes.InBob Yastrzemski and often times photographer Leonard Bry-many ways theKDW Classicthat Bud, Gary and other committeeant.Eventually our check out procedures changed.For a short members helped develop set the standard on how to produce aperiod, we checked boats out at local inlets.Volunteers Tom & quality KDW style tournament. Kelly Edwards, Bob Pascale, Chris Kriendler, Bruce Lyon Riviera Beach Municipal Marina was the only waterfront facil- and George Patane were among those who got into position at ity that could accommodate what we envisioned.The Citys earlysunrise to confirm boat departures.We finally abandoned the support was facilitated in large part by Marina Director Georgewhole check-out procedure and just let people go fishing.Carter.George knew how to navigate City Hall.Tim Delosh,During the first several years we accepted fish donations from head of marina security, was also an invaluable aide keeping usparticipants and sold the fish to support the clubs youth fishing apprised of any planned changes to the marina, of which thereprograms. Capt. Butch Constable and Geo Call headed up this were many over the years.The Mayor of Riviera Beach, Bishopaspect of the event.The crew would often process well over a Thomas Masters and Palm Beach County Commissioner War- thousand pounds of fish.Club board member Bill Watson even ren Newell were our honorary tournament co-chairs.The Cityfabricated a custom filet table to accommodate the demand.The and Marina eventually began charging us to use their space, buttable was ten feet long and was made of PVC and starboard.That 26 W estP almB eachF ishingc luB"