The 2017 Big Bang Open blasted onto the spearfishing scene like a charm with the smoothest running BBO in history. Everything worked well from the registration, the prize wall, the weigh-in, the buffet, the awards ceremony and the outstanding fun had by all participants.
The BBO venue at the Palm Beach Gardens Moose Lodge is truly outstanding. This is our fourth year there.
The sponsors, the volunteers, the vendors, the charities, the contestants, the families - all pulled together and made this event simply incredible. Thank you all.
An outstanding feature of the Big Bang! Open is the robust number of prizes we have displayed on our prize wall. Sponsors appreciate having their prizes showcased like this for the crowd to see and touch.
We had over 60 spearguns and around 20 pole spears for the contestants to choose from along with many other exceptional rewards for their spearing efforts.
Our photographer Kyle Darcy took over 300 photos of the event and our videographer Ryan Dee once again did an excellent job.
Here are the trophy winners. Then below that are the scores which earn trips to the prize wall.
The Trophy Award Recipients:
TOURNAMENT CHAMPION
Stephen Sanders – 96.00 Aggregate Points
BEST BOAT
Chips Ahoy – 269.875 Combined Aggregate Points of Top Three Shooters
BEST FREEDIVER
Sergey Lopez – 83.3125 Aggregate Points
BEST FEMALE DIVER
Jen Young - 65.8125 Aggregate Points
BEST JUNIOR DIVER
Colin Scozzafava – 20.25 Aggregate Points
LARGEST GROUPER
Stephen Sanders – 45.0625 Pounds Gutted Weight
LARGEST SNAPPER
Brian Glenn – 38.0625 Pounds Gutted Weight
LARGEST HOGFISH OR FLOUNDER
Stephen Sanders – 13.4375 Pounds Gutted Weight
LARGEST SHEEPSHEAD OR TIGGERFISH
Keith Holberger– 13.8125 Pounds Gutted Weight
LARGEST AMBERJACK OR COBIA
Tony Crumrine – 65.625 Pounds Gutted Weight (Amberjack)
LARGEST WILD CARD FISH
Chip Garber – 48.00 Gutted Weight
Here are the Final Scores and trophies for the top 40 shooters:
Here are the Final Scores and trophies for the rest of the shooters: