13 May Goodwill Bass Challenge Raises Nearly $2,000 for Community Assistance Program

Twenty-six Teams Participate in Fishing Tournament on Old Hickory Lake

The way Trey Burtchaell of Mt. Juliet and his father, Larry Burtchaell of Smyrna, saw it, Saturday was a fairly slow day of fishing on Old Hickory Lake.

Having caught only 12 bass, the two men — who fish the lake every other weekend during summers — thought they might barely crack the top five competing teams in the Goodwill Industries Bass Challenge fishing tournament.

“We didn’t think we’d win,” Trey Burtchaell said. “It was pretty unexpected.”

In the end, five chunky largemouth — including one that weighed nearly five pounds — pushed their total haul to 15.65 pounds and earned them the first place prize of $350. They came in just .05 pounds ahead of the second-place team.

“I was very excited,” Trey Burtchaell said, “It was an honor. And it feels good to help Goodwill. It’s always great when a tournament helps people in need.”

The event drew a total of 26 boats that weighed in a combined 186.9 pounds of fish. Along the way, it raised $1,908 for Goodwill Cares, Goodwill’s community assistance program that provides gift cards for families and individuals facing hardships.

“It was a great day of fishing,” said Mike Davis, a professional fishing guide who organized the third annual event.

The second-place winners for total weight were Mike and Logan Petit of White House, another father-and-son team, with 15.60 pounds. Logan Petit is a member of the White House High School Fishing Team.

Dave Breeden and Anthony “Bud” Guffie of LaFayette took third place for total weight with 15.15 pounds. They were also the first place winners for biggest fish, landing one weighing 5.45 pounds. The Petits took second place in that category, with a fish weighing 5.20 pounds.