b"Make Your MarkBy: Tom Buzz Bzura, WPBFC PresidentW hen you think of the Westcontributions. Being present and investing your time makes a Palm Beach Fishing Club,difference. People want to be involved where others are involved. its often the rich history of theHealthy attendance makes for successful programming. Without organization thats at the forefront.the dedication of volunteers or participation from active anglers, Maybe its black and white imagesthere would be no WPBFC. Volunteering at club events isnt of famous WPBFC members Tedalways glamourous. It often entails breaking down chairs, fran-Williamstically ripping and selling raffle tickets, a ndSamshowing up the day after the event to haul Snead facing off in the Silver Sailfisha truckload back to the clubhouse and al-Derby during the early 1950s. Or perhapsmost always means breaking a sweat. But the clubs conservation legacy comes totheres a sense of fulfillment that comes mind with images from the 60s of Johnwhen you can look back on a specific event Rybovich offshore, mindfully observingor the club as whole, reflecting on the posi-as his club sunk some 300 automobiles totive impact you made, or the memories create the earliest artificial reefs off Palmyou made with family and friends.Beach County. Fast forward to the 90sThe West Palm Beach Fishing Club has you may recall images of club leaders anda proven track record of innovation, adapt-local youth deboarding a bus in Tallahas- ing to the needs of its members, the local see, advocating for fishing access playingcommunity, and the needs of its beloved an instrumental role in the rebuilding offishery thats right in our backyard. For-the Juno Pier. Our clubs history is inspir- ward thinking and dedication from those ing and undeniable, but whats equally aswho came before us are key components important as where weve been, is whereas to why the WPBFC is where it is today. were going. Baseball Hall Of Famer Ted Williams (l) &Having stood the test of time as the world I invite all members to leave their mark onprofessional golfer Sam Snead (r) prepare forgrows around it, the West Palm Beach this organization, taking a sense of pride andtheir annual sailfish 'Grudge Match'.ownership in their West Palm Beach Fishing Club. Its hard to think about what the club will look like in another 90 or so years, but lets wrap our heads around the next 10 years. The club needs the next wave of dedicated individuals to embrace the organiza-tion as their own. Were lucky to have such a prosperous impactful local fishing club, connected to a productive fishery. Think about the first time you stepped foot in the historic clubhouse. The building speaks for itself; this is a special place. We have a good thing going and its our responsibility to pick up where industry leaders like Rybovich left off (continuing the clubs legacy).Being invested in the club does not exclusively mean financial Past Fishing Club President John Rybovich (center on barge) oversees the deploying of old autos to create one of the first artificial reefs off Palm Beach County.opening day of new Juno Pier (1999) Fishing Club can truly say its more than just a fishing club, its an institution. As former Club President John Jolley says, theres not another one like it. Get involved at this one-of-a-kind fishing club.4 W estP almB eachF ishingc luB"