The Southern Kingfish Association (SKA) sent out an email yesterday stating they are shutting down. Made some good friends during our years of competing in the SKA and had some great times. Like any business, if they don't come, it wont last. A lot of offshore tournaments have had to shut down due to low participation. We have been fortunate to have a steady group of teams to participate in our tournaments each year. But as soon as our participation starts to drop too low, we may be forced to make some changes also. Simply putting it, these tournaments depend on participation. Luckily, we have a team of great sponsors who have been dedicated to making these tournaments a success.
Below is the email from the SKA:
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Dear Member,
After 23 years of successfully producing the Mercury Tournament Trail and of late the Yamaha Professional Kingfish Tour, management and the SKA Board of Directors have decided to shut down the trails. This wasn't an easy decision.
As most of you know our numbers have dwindled over the past four years and it's very hard in most areas to find enough events to make the trail competitive. Sponsors have been dropping out of saltwater fishing, cutting contract monies and advertising, and even end-of-the-year prizes. We all know how expensive our sport has become. Boats cost more, fuel prices are way up with no sign of relief, and our costs to operate have certainly increased.
Sometime in April we will be liquidating the assets. Trucks, trailers, and merchandise will be offered for sale. We will keep you posted on the date.
We have been actively looking for someone in the industry, a group, or an individual to purchase the SKA and bring new life and money into the sport but to no avail. In fact, some of our sponsors have even cut their sponsorship dollars further hindering our progress, which helped in our decision.
We will begin in April to return membership monies that we have received from members who elected to join early. We will deduct a portion of it for costs of the membership packet and mailing. We will also send letters immediately to all of the tournaments who relied on our sanction to bring fisher people to their events, which I'm sure will impact the sport. Events we have produced for philanthropic organizations will not be produced by us.
We certainly thank you for your support over the years. We fully understand how important the trail has been to you and your families over the years. We will certainly miss the lifestyle.
Good luck in your fishing endeavors.
-Jack
Jack Holmes
Managing Partner
904-819-0360
Southern Kingfish Association
15 Garnett Ave
Saint Augustine, Florida 32084
Below is the email from the SKA:
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Dear Member,
After 23 years of successfully producing the Mercury Tournament Trail and of late the Yamaha Professional Kingfish Tour, management and the SKA Board of Directors have decided to shut down the trails. This wasn't an easy decision.
As most of you know our numbers have dwindled over the past four years and it's very hard in most areas to find enough events to make the trail competitive. Sponsors have been dropping out of saltwater fishing, cutting contract monies and advertising, and even end-of-the-year prizes. We all know how expensive our sport has become. Boats cost more, fuel prices are way up with no sign of relief, and our costs to operate have certainly increased.
Sometime in April we will be liquidating the assets. Trucks, trailers, and merchandise will be offered for sale. We will keep you posted on the date.
We have been actively looking for someone in the industry, a group, or an individual to purchase the SKA and bring new life and money into the sport but to no avail. In fact, some of our sponsors have even cut their sponsorship dollars further hindering our progress, which helped in our decision.
We will begin in April to return membership monies that we have received from members who elected to join early. We will deduct a portion of it for costs of the membership packet and mailing. We will also send letters immediately to all of the tournaments who relied on our sanction to bring fisher people to their events, which I'm sure will impact the sport. Events we have produced for philanthropic organizations will not be produced by us.
We certainly thank you for your support over the years. We fully understand how important the trail has been to you and your families over the years. We will certainly miss the lifestyle.
Good luck in your fishing endeavors.
-Jack
Jack Holmes
Managing Partner
904-819-0360
Southern Kingfish Association
15 Garnett Ave
Saint Augustine, Florida 32084
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