Jacksonville, Florida, May 2, 2007 -- Saturday, May 19, 2007, will mark the 18th anniversary of the annual Wolfson Children's Hospital Bass Tournament. Once again, the tournament -- which is held every year in Palatka, the "Bass Capital of the World" -- will begin at safe light and last until 3 pm.

Last year, 436 boats participated, continuing the event's designation as the largest single-day bass tournament held in the state of Florida. The 2006 event raised $100,000 for Wolfson Children's Hospital.

The director of the Plant Facilities Department of Baptist Medical Center Downtown, along with several outside contractors, created the tournament in 1989 so they could play a major role in funding capital improvements and technological advancements at Wolfson. Their goal was to make the tournament the largest in the state to raise money for children's health care, which they have accomplished year after year.

The tournament beneficiary, Wolfson Children's Hospital, is a 180-bed, pediatric tertiary-care referral center that provides specialty care for sick and injured infants and children. More than 100,000 inpatients and outpatients are treated there each year.

This year's tournament will offer $37,000 in cash prizes, ranging from $100 to $10,000. Proceeds are raised solely through sponsorship and donations. The entry fee per boat is $90, which is applied toward cash prize money. Boats can also compete for the Big Bass Pot for an additional $10 per boat, allowing fishermen to compete for $5,000 (first place), $1,000 (second place) and $1,000 (third place). First through 25th-place prizes and the Big Bass Pot are guaranteed.

In addition to the May 19 tournament, there will also be a Lads and Lasses Bass Tournament on Thursday, May 17, with male/female teams only. The tournament will begin at safe light. Cost is $70 per boat, with an optional $10 per boat to qualify for the Big Bass Pot. Cash prizes range from $100 to $1,000. The Big Bass Pot is $1,000 for first place and $500 for second place.

As part of the Wolfson Children's Hospital Bass Tournament, there will be a drawing for a fully rigged 2007 Bullet 21 XD Bass Boat, trailer and 2007 Mercury 200 OptiMax Motor. The drawing will take place following the weigh-in at the Bass Tournament on May 19, in Palatka. One ticket will be given for each $10 donation to Wolfson. Ticket-holders do not need to be present to win. The boat, trailer and motor were donated by Bullet Boats and Mercury Marine. To obtain tickets, call 904.291.0833. For more information on the Wolfson Children's Hospital Bass Tournament, visit wchjax.com/bass.