As TBF’s 350 guests entered Hemingway’s Havana Nights they were greeted with classic cars, provided by South Beach Classics, premium hand-rolled cuban cigars by Varadero Cigars, and lavish décor to feel as if they were stepping out into a Havana paradise. Guests bid on an amazing selection of silent auction items, thanks to our many in-kind donors, while sipping down the delicious Cuban specialty drinks, provided by Bacardi USA, plus wine from Duck Pond Cellars and incredible locally-brewed beer from Sailfish Brewery. A special thanks to our Gala Sponsors – Louisiana Cat, Yamaha, Marina Casa de Campo, Garmin, One Vanilla, Cox Maritime Law, C&L Insurance, Galati Yacht Sales, Viking Yachts, & Grady-White Boats. Auctioneer, Neil Saffer, did an incredible job with the Live Auction which included a Hemingway Inspired custom Nautical Wood Chart by The Giving Tree Gallery, a giclee of Carey Chen’s “Old Man & the Sea,” custom Dragonfly Paddleboard with accessories, custom, hand-etched copper “Marlin Blitz” by Bufkin Air Design, Florida Panther’s Experience with Team Captain Willie Mitchell, Palm Beach race car experience with Ken Fengler, South Africa Adventure with A Spring of Hope, exquisite driftwood sailfish sculpture by Greg Searcy of Driftwood Expressions, and a Billfishing Trip of a lifetime with Casa Vieja Lodge. Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to all the generous sponsors for making this all possible.

During the evenings event, two individuals were honored with the Rybovich Lifetime Conservation Award. Congratulations go out to Bouncer Smith and John Jolley Jr. for all they have done for billfish conservation. Make sure to save the date and join us next year as TBF celebrates 30 years, November 4, 2016.