Southgate Lanes bowling alley will be recognized by the Bluffton Sportmen's Club during this year's Sunday, May 4, 70th annual trout derby at the Buckeye, according to Tom Augsburger of the club.
Trout 1, "The King Pin," will be worth thousands in cash if caught between 2 and 4:30 p.m. on derby day. The jackpot is built with $5 donations. Last year's jackpot was worth $1,715 and one-half went to John Towsey of Lima, who held the winning ticket. The other half of the pot either goes to the club, if no one catches trout number 1, or to a person whose ticket is drawn following the derby,
Should The King Pin not be caught during the derby it has a consolation prize value of $200 until Labor Day.
Persons may purchase Sportsmen's Club memberships at derby headquarters, Family True Value Hardware, 108 N. Main St., Bluffton. Other locations where memberships may be purchased includes Kibbee's Carryout, and Ted's Market, Pandora. Memberships are $10 for youth through age 13 and $30 for persons 14 and up.
During this year's derby there are over $4,000 in cash and prizes on tagged trout in the Buckeye.
Other sigificant prizes include:
• Longest trout caught during the derby - $25 cash
• Two split sides of beef, donated by Montgomery farms
During the derby is a chicken barbecue at the Sportsmen's Club depot starting at 11 a.m. catered by Ted and Don's.
Sportsmen's officers are:
• Tom Augsburger, president
• Jerry Edinger, vice president
• Treasurer, Ron Schmutz
• Andy Herrmann, secretary
Directors are: Marvin Maag, Mark Zimmerman, Lucas Herrmann, Ron Neidemire, Dale Neidemire, Wilbur Bracy and Roger Hoffman.
