In a perfect world, Danny Wohl is pretty certain who would have won this past weekend’s annual Frank Wohl Memorial Bass Tournament.
“My dad would have said, ‘Good tournament, guys,’ but he would have won it,” Danny Wohl said, laughing. “He didn’t just fish. He would’ve won.”
But Wohl’s father, Frank, a Clinton businessman and fishermen, died from cancer complications in 1985 at age 61. The Memorial Bass Tournament, which began the following year, carries on Wohl’s legacy—both as a fisherman and as someone who battled cancer.
On Sunday, 72 fishermen participated in the 21st annual event to raise $4,000 for cancer research at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Since the tournament’s inception in 1986, it has raised $38,000 for OMRF.
“Our sponsors and fishermen anted up for OMRF, because they all know what a worthy cause it is,” said Lance Brooks, tournament organizer. “Cancer touches everybody’s life in some way or another. It’s real satisfying to know that we’re able to continue a tradition that has meant so much to many families.”
Todd Goossen of Clinton and Jim Cooper from Greenwood, Ark., won the tournament with the largest bass stringer—14.4 pounds. The win earned the team a boat, motor and trailer valued at $12,000 and a cash prize. “I think it’s a great deal that the family has had this involvement with the medical research foundation,” said Goossen.
Fishermen braved choppy waters and strong winds on the lake most of the day, but by 3 p.m. Sunday, many teams pulled their boats up to the lakeshore and stood in line with bags of fish for the weigh-in. Several people set up lawn chairs to observe the tournament results, while one young boy even tried his own hand at fishing from a nearby dock, though his efforts were unsuccessful.
“Frank would have been extremely proud of this tournament,” said Laura Wohl, his daughter-in-law. “He was a real fun-loving man and just loved to fish. I think this tournament has been a great success.”
High-resolution photos from the tournament are available upon request.
About OMRF:
Celebrating its 60th birthday in 2006, OMRF (www.omrf.org) is a nonprofit biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding and curing human disease. Its scientists focus on such critical research areas as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, lupus and cardiovascular disease. It is home to Oklahoma’s only member of the National Academy of Sciences.
