Poor Girls Open Underway in Resort

OCEAN CITY - The 14th Annual Captain Steve Harman Poor Girls' Open is right around the corner.

Beginning on Thursday, Aug. 16 at Bahia Marina, over 100 boats with up to 500 lady anglers will compete for bragging rights with all of the proceeds from the tournament going to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research and development.

The Poor Girls' Open is a billfish tournament for women only that was started by Capt. Steve Harman 14 years ago in order to help promote sport fishing in the area. Ladies in the area wanted a tournament that would allow them to shine and step out of the shadow of the men of the White Marlin Open, so with only eight boats the first year the tradition began.

Ladies are allowed to fish one of three days, with weigh-ins each days from 4-7:30 p.m. on Aug. 16-18 at the Bahia Marina. In addition to prizes for white and blue marlin, there are added calcuttas for the heaviest tuna and mahi.

"Last year we raised about $50,000 to contribute to the Pink Ribbon Classic," said chairperson Joslyn Harman. "This year we are hoping to increase that donation for the American Cancer Society."

The Pink Ribbon Classic at the Beach is a series of eight events held in and around Ocean City and lower Delaware that raises funds for the American Cancer Society's programs of breast cancer research and development.