The Annual Capt. John Breuggeman Memorial Grouper Tournament was established in January 2005 by his family and friends.  It was chosen as a way to honor John Breuggeman’s life by enjoying his passion for grouper fishing.

The 1st Annual Capt. John Breuggeman Memorial Grouper Tournament 2005 was a low key, invitational event with in house funding.  We entertained 12 boat entries and celebrated with a barbeque at tournament end.  All anglers and participants received a T-shirt commemorating the event. As no fish were weighed in, the boat captains voted to donate their entry monies to the John and Caroline Breuggeman Scholarship Fund which awards scholarships annually to college bound students at Lemon Bay High School in Englewood, Florida.

The 2nd Annual Capt. John Breuggeman Memorial Grouper Tournament 2006 was expanded with requests for sponsors.   The generous response of sponsors and boat entries allowed us to again have T-shirts for participants as well as cash awards and a grouper trophy for winners and many prizes for the anglers. And one scholarship was donated to the John and Caroline Breuggeman Scholarship Fund. Many fish were weighed in by Weigh Master, Capt. Frank Davis.  Winnings of $1800.were awarded to the 3 boats with the biggest catches and a metal grouper created by artist, Rob Kozmits, went to the angler who caught the biggest fish.   All awards and prizes were presented at the barbeque.

The 3rd Annual Capt. John Breuggeman Memorial Grouper Tournament 2007 continued to grow. Again generous donations and boat entry monies enabled us to award $2550 for the biggest catches and to fund a perpetual trophy to recognize the angler with the biggest fish.  A new addition was a big hit -  a raffle for a saltwater kayak.  T-shirts for all participants and door prizes for anglers were also awarded.  3 scholarships were donated to the John and Caroline Breuggeman Scholarship Fund. The barbeque again featured chicken barbequed by John Bass.

The 4th Annual Capt. John Breuggeman Memorial Grouper Tournament 2008 was generously funded by many sponsors. The tournament day presented with extremely high seas.  Captains at the Captains’ Meeting voted it would be unsafe to fish. A Lucky Bucket Drawing was held at the barbeque for the money prizes and the trophy. We also had a raffle for a Saltwater Flyfishing Outfit.  The barbeque of chicken and pork, special T-shirts and door prizes for all registered anglers completed the day.  3 scholarships were donated to the John and Caroline Breuggeman Scholarship Fund.

The 5th Annual Capt. John Breuggeman Memorial Grouper Tournament 2009 was the biggest and best ever! Our sponsors came through once again as did our fishing teams. And did we have the FISH ! All entered vessels had success with 15 captains weighing in and with record breaking weights. Winners shared $3000 in prize money. Our raffles were popular with the choice of a beautiful fishing kayak, a huge utility bag, a back bay fishing trip and a stay at Cabbage Key. All anglers enjoyed the barbeque, tournament T shirts and door prizes. 4 scholarships were donated to the John and Caroline Breuggeman Scholarship Fund.

The 6h Annual Capt. John Breuggeman Memorial Grouper Tournament 2010 was again a highly successful tournament, despite our captains vote that fishing would be unsafe ! Our sponsors were generous with funds and gifts and our entries were as well. A Lucky Bucket Drawing was held at the barbeque for the money prizes and the trophy. This year’s raffle featured several choices: a fully equipped fishing kayak, a stay at Cabbage Key, a huge utility bag, back bay fishing trip, tarpon fishing trip, a Canadian Mist Collection, and a spa certificate and Isaac Mizrahi book. Everyone enjoyed the barbeque, the T shirts and the many door prizes for anglers. AND 4 scholarships were donated to the John and Caroline Breuggeman Scholarship Fund.

The 7th Annual Capt. John Breuggeman Memorial Grouper Tournament 2011 was a wonderful success!!! The generosity of our sponsors and our anglers permitted us to enjoy a lovely day. The weather was great and 11 of 15 boats weighed in some beautiful red grouper. Our winners shared money prizes of $2700. This year’s raffle featured a beautiful RTM fishing kayak, 2 fishing trips, an Isaac Mizrahi collection, a Pawley’s Island Hammock, aluminum fish wall art and a bumper mount rod holder. Door prizes were shared with anglers as well as tournament tees and tees from Honda. The barbeque was again a hit with chicken and pulled pork. AND best of all, 4 scholarships were donated to the John and Caroline Breuggeman Scholarship Fund.

The 8th Annual Capt. John Breuggeman Memorial Grouper Tournament 2012 is scheduled for January 15, 2012……