About
Dear Fisherman:
The inaugural PFC Geoffrey Morris Memorial Governors Cup Fishing Invitational was held on June, 17th & 18th at Waukegan Harbor in Waukegan, Illinois in 2005. The Tournament raised over $5,000 for the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund. This fund was drafted by Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn; the “Illinois Military Family Relief Act” was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Rod Blagojevich the early part of 2004. Its purpose is to assist the families of Illinois National Guard members and reservists who face economic hardship when the military serviceman or servicewoman is on active duty. Due to the uniqueness of its purpose and continued growth of this Tournament we have significantly added to this fund every year.
PFC Geoffrey Morris signed up for the US Marine Corps
in September 2002 during his senior year at Warren Township High School in Gurnee, IL. Geoff shipped off to boot camp in San Diego, CA June 2003. Just Nineteen Geoff was deployed to IRAQ in February and was killed in action on 04 April 2004. Geoffrey believed strongly in the values this country stands for, and willingly stood in harms way to defend it. He joined the Marine Corps for three reasons; One to defend the freedoms of this Country, Two, to help those unable to help themselves, Three, because “the Marines are the Best of the Best, Dad, and I wouldn’t want to be part of anything less!”
Often asked “Why a fishing Tournament”? The answer is this. Geoff and his father Kirk Morris loved to fish, and take their friends fishing… together they fished Tournaments in Racine, Kenosha and Winthrop Harbor, rarely winning anything but loving the experience and opportunity to enjoy the time on the water. When the boat was moved to Waukegan from Winthrop Harbor they often wondered why a Salmon Fishing Tournament wasn’t held in Waukegan, and contemplated starting one. In a letter home from Geoff while stationed in Iraq, Geoff wrote about riding in the hot air, the methodic bumps in the road. “If he closed his eyes, it felt like he was on the boat riding the waves heading to the fishing grounds”… When Geoff died in Iraq…. Nothing else could be more fitting!
2005 Winners:
1st Place and $15,000 – Best Chance II / Captain Dave Engel – Saugatuck, MI
2nd Place and $9,000 – High C’s / Captain Shawn Keulen – Winthrop Harbor, IL
3rd Place and $6,000 – Dr’s Orders / Captain Steve Goulette – Waukegan, IL
2006 Winners:
1st Place and $15,000 – Prove IT II / Captain Gabe Powers – Racine, WI
2nd Place and $9,000 – Best Chance II / Captain Dave Engel – Saugatuck, MI
3rd Place and $6,000 – Hour Time / Captain Mark Bachman – Sturgeon Bay, WI
2007 Winners:
1st Place and $15,000 – Rainmaker IV / Captain Al Johnson – Kenosha, WI
2nd Place and $9,000 – Stormtrooper / Captain Jim Mueller – Racine, WI
3rd Place and $6,000 – Blue Fairways – Gregg Magee – Ludington, MI
2008 Winners:
1st Place and $15,000 – Best Chance II / Captain Dave Engel – Saugatuck, MI
2nd Place and $9,000 – Rainmaker IV / Captain Al Johnson – Kenosha, WI
3rd Place and $6,000 – Fuzzy Bear / – Carl Stopczynski – South Bend, IN
2009 Winners:
1st Place and $15,000 – Waverly / Captain – Milwaukee, WI
2nd Place and $9,000 – Win-N-Angel / Captain Winn Wolf – St. Joseph, MI
3rd Place and $6,000 – Rainmaker IV / Captain Al Johnson – Kenosha, WI
2011 Winners:
1st Place - Hawg Gone II
2nd Place - Fuzzy Bear
3rd Place - Storm Trooper
The names and the total points acquired are engraved on the Tournament Trophy which is prominently displayed at the Tropics Restaurant at North Point Marina, in Winthrop Harbor, IL.
Until further notice First thru Third place finishers are guaranteed the purses of $10,000.00, $6,000 and $5,000 respectively. The seven remaining top finishers will split the remaining purse. Attached schedule illustrates the payouts assuming 70 boats participate. Additional prizes will be awarded to largest fish of each species each day of the tournament.
The entry fee includes free boat launch and boat slip during Tournament dates, plus lots of fun, fishing and the wonderful feeling that your participation is helping Illinois families make it through the difficult time while their loved ones serve overseas in our Military … some of which have given the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom and liberties we enjoy today.
Please contact Kirk S. Morris at 847-263-4188 or KSMCOIL@aol.com with any questions.
I want to thank you in advance for your commitment to this event and the Illinois residents that have served in harms way on behalf of all of us.
Sincerely,
Kirk S. Morris
Chairman
CASH PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED PER RULE ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE:
| 1st | Guaranteed Purse | $10,000 |
| 2nd | Guaranteed Purse | $6,000 |
| 3rd | Guaranteed Purse | $5,000 |
| 4th | 5% purse | $1,408 (with 70 boats) |
| 5th | 4% of purse | $1,127 (with 70 boats) |
| 6th | 3.5% of purse | $ 986 (with 70 boats) |
| 7th | 3% of purse | $ 845 (with 70 boats) |
| 8th | 2.5% of purse | $ 704 (with 70 boats) |
| 9th | 2.2% of purse | $ 620 (with 70 boats) |
| 10th | 2.1% of purse | $ 591 (with 70 boats) |
