South Seas’ Tarpon Tournament and Golf Scramble raises more than $250,000 for Folds of Honor over Memorial Day weekend
South Seas Resort raised more than $250,000 for Folds of Honor during its expanded Memorial Day weekend Tarpon Tournament and Golf Scramble, bringing together anglers, golfers, sponsors and community supporters to benefit scholarships for families of fallen and disabled military members and first responders.
The third annual South Seas Tarpon Tournament, held May 22, welcomed 47 boats and 188 anglers, reeling in 32 tarpon throughout the daylong competition off the coast of Captiva Island. The weekend also marked the debut of the South Seas Golf Scramble at The Clutch, South Seas’ Beau Welling-designed golf course, as well as the inaugural Helicopter Golf Ball Drop presented in partnership with the Str8 Up Aviation and Certified Heating and Cooling.
Funds raised throughout the weekend will directly support Folds of Honor scholarships benefiting local families in Lee County and surrounding Southwest Florida communities.
“Every angler, every golfer and every sponsor contributed to something bigger than fishing and golfing throughout the Memorial Day festivities at South Seas,” said Greg Spencer, president of South Seas. “Thanks to their participation and generosity, we are able to help Folds of Honor provide more than 50 educational scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members and first responders — changing lives and creating lasting impact for families who have sacrificed so much for our country.”
The Memorial Day weekend festivities began May 21 with a Captain’s Meeting at the Tarpon Bar before anglers headed onto the water early Friday morning for the fishing tournament. The competition concluded with a waterfront reception featuring live music, drinks, silent auction items, raffles and light bites, followed by an awards ceremony honoring fallen service members with a presentation of the national anthem, paratrooper demonstrations and a keynote address from Ginger Gilbert Ravella. After losing her husband, Major Troy Gilbert, while he served in Iraq, she was left to navigate the unimaginable grief while raising her five children. Folds of Honor came alongside her as a lifeline providing hope and financial support to her family.
On Saturday, golfers gathered at The Clutch for the inaugural South Seas Golf Scramble, which concluded with awards, raffles and the Helicopter Golf Ball Drop which yielded four holes in one. During the finale event, 150 golf balls were dropped from the helicopter over the course, with cash prizes split between Folds of Honor and the winning participants whose balls landed in the hole. One participant donated his winnings back to the charity.
The 2026 Tarpon Tournament title sponsor was Timbers Company, with supporting sponsorships from DeAngelis Diamond, Wheelock Street Capital, Curran Young, Pyramid Global Hospitality, The Ronto Group, MHK Architecture, Regions Energy, Brittania Electric, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, Barraco & Associates, Lowndes Law and Haley Ward Surveying.
For the Golf Scramble, Batia Construction Company served as title sponsor, with additional support from Kazdan Family Medicine, AmeriGas, DeAngelis Diamond, Benchmark General Contractors, The Ronto Group, Pyramid Global Hospitality, Wheelock Street Capital, Timbers Company, Newkumet Companies, Sabal Signs and Priority Marketing.
Last year’s tournament raised more than $250,000 for Folds of Honor scholarships. Organizers expanded the 2026 event to include the Golf Scramble and Helicopter Golf Ball Drop in an effort to grow the fundraiser’s impact and community reach even further.
For more information or to book a stay at the resort, visit SouthSeas.com.
About South Seas
Presenting classic island charm, the 330-acre South Seas is nestled among mangroves with more than half of the resort a dedicated wildlife preserve and estuary. Outstanding golf, famed fishing, boating, yachting and discovering storied barrier islands, flavorful dining and memorable island adventures are among the unforgettable experiences of a South Seas guest. The resort has been a cherished destination for more than 75 years. As a new chapter begins, one that has been inspired by the many past generations of guests and thoughtfully recast for the future, South Seas is dedicated to delivering a resilient, world-class resort. SouthSeas.com
About Folds of Honor
Folds of Honor is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States armed forces. Beginning in 2022, Folds of Honor expanded its mission to include first responders. Its educational scholarships support private-school tuition or tutoring in grades K-12 as well as post-secondary tuition. It is rated a four-star charity by Charity Navigator and Platinum on GuideStar. It was founded by Lt Col Dan Rooney, an F-16 fighter pilot, who is currently stationed at Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service Detachment 1, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, TX. For more information visit FoldsOfHonor.org.
