48th Annual Awards Banquet

On Saturday, March 2, members of the Pushmataha County Sportsman Club held their 48^th Annual Awards Banquet.  Members and their families were treated to a meal of smoked pork chops and chicken, soft drinks and side dishes prepared by the members.  Members were recognized for their achievements during the 2018 hunting and fishing contests.

The first awards to be presented were for the 2018 spring turkey season contest.  Winning first place was Eugene Hensley.  Second place went to Billy Hensley.  Both received a plaque and a share of the entry fees.

The Top Ten Anglers of the Year were recognized next.  Each angler received an embroidered patch. The Top Ten Anglers for 2018 were (from number 10 to number 1) Colby Chandler, Billy Hensley, Jon Tucker, Mike Burrage, Chuck Beck, Ellis Silvey, Terry Thurman, Billy Latham, Kindel Holiman and Bass Angler of the Year, Judd Thomas.  Judd received a plaque and a check for $100.00.

The Big Bass of the Year award went to Forrest Cave.  Forrest caught a bass weighing 7.59 pounds at Sardis Lake during the March 2018 tournament.   The Heaviest Stringer of the Year went to Judd Thomas.  Judd had a stringer weight of 27.60 pounds caught at the Pine Creek Lake tournament in April of last year.  Both received a plaque.

The “100 Pound Club” award goes to members that are able to catch at least one hundred pounds of bass during the club bass tournaments in a season.  Five members were able to catch over one hundred pounds.  They were Ellis Silvey with 115.41 pounds, Terry Thurman with 115.67 pounds, Billy Latham with 115.98 pounds, Kindel Holiman with 124.26 pounds and Judd Thomas with 153.50 pounds.  Each received a plaque.

In the club’s deer archery season contest, Billy Hensley won first place honors with Eugene Hensley winning the award for second place.  Both received a plaque and a share of the entry fee money.

Billy Latham took first place honors in the deer primitive firearms contest.  Billy Hensley finished in second place.  Both received a plaque and a share of the entry fee money.

For the rifle season contest, Billy Latham won first place.  Judd Thomas finished in second place.  Both received a plaque and a share of the entry fee money.

The Grand Slam Award is given to members who are able to harvest a deer in all three season; archery, primitive and rifle seasons.  This year only one member was able to achieve this goal.  That member was Billy Hensley.

Each year the club recognizes a sponsor that consistently supports the club and the Big Bass Rodeo.  The sponsor is presented a plaque.  The “Sponsor of the Year” award was presented to Hank’s Convenience Store in Rattan, OK.

The club’s most prestigious award is the Sportsman of the Year Award.  The winner of this award is determined by a point system based on participation and achievement.  This year’s Sportsman of the Year is Billy Hensley. Billy received a plaque and a check for $100.00.

Billy Latham was presented a plaque for his service as the 2018 president of the club.

The ladies door prize, a $100.00 prepaid MasterCard, was won by Wendy Cave.  The men’s door prize, an ABU Revo SX baitcast reel, was won by Billy Hensley.  As always, every child that attended was awarded a door prize consisting of games, sports balls, fishing equipment and more.

The club’s first bass tournament of 2019 will be at McGee Creek Lake on Saturday, March 9.  Launch site for the tournament will be Buster Hights boat landing.  Fishing times for the tournament will be from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.  You can keep up with club activities on Facebook or on their web page at www.pushcountysportsmanclub.blogspot.com.