A group of local fishermen and golfers competed in the 49th annual New England Fish and Chips Tournament, June 22-23. Pictured on the Tontine board are (from left) Mike Sullivan, Patrick Sullivan, Neil Lafferty, Alicia Greer, Stan Bocko, Alex Silva, Bob Boehm, Scott Silva, Tom Conway and Mitch Craven. Missing from photo: Jim Downing, Tyler Crocco, Matt Moorehouse, Mike McNamera and Jonah Ahee. (Courtesy photo Bob Boehm)
Bob Boehm kept them going.
The Lowell angler recently won his 12th New England Fish & Chips championship, at the 49th annual fishing and golfing handicap tournament June 22-23.
Boehm, who last won the title in 2022, is the first player to win at least one title in six different decades since the 70s.
“I have the most titles because I’ve been around longer than anybody,” Boehm said. “There’s something to be said for old age or longevity, I guess.”
A resident of Lowell, Boehm showed off his veteran mackerel fishing savvy on the Tontine, a 42-foot vessel based in Rye, New Hampshire, on June 22. He reeled in 84 mackerel in just 90 minutes, while also caught four of the six bonus fish. Neil Lafferty of Weymouth shot an 89 to lead the field.
The group returned to action the next day at Sagamore Golf Club Boehm continued to loom large with a net of 71, pushing him further ahead with 23.5 points. Lowell’s Mike Sullivan finished second overall, with Rye’s Stan Bocko third.
Patrick Sullivan, Alicia Greer, Alex Silva, Scott Silva, Tom Conway and Mitch Craven also participated. Jim Downing, Tyler Crocco, Matt Moorehouse, Mike McNamera and Jonah Ahee took part in the golf portion of the event.
A moment of silence was observed for the late Dan Ryan, formerly of Lowell, and Tom Dufresne formerly of Hollis, New Hampshire. Both longtime Fish & Chippers passed away this year. Ryan won two titles, with Dufresne winning four.
“We started this tournament in 1976 with just four contestants,” said Boehm, who along with Herb Burns and the late Rodger Martin, Jr. are known as the founding fathers. “There are three of us plus Jack Lang. For the first nine years we did fishing and golfing on the same day. Since then, we have been going for two days. After fishing for four hours then playing 18 holes, with a few beers, your golf score is about five to 10 strokes worse.”
When Martin passed away eight years ago, both Boehm and Burns pledged to keep the tournament going in his honor for 50 years. .
“It’s going to be sad next year when the 50th is over,” said Boehm, who toasted Martin before the competition. “F&C has been a big part of my life. I have made many new friends over the years.
Martin, Burns and Boehm had been best friends since their early childhood in Lowell. Martin was an accomplished baseball player in Little League and CYO. He excelled as a pole vaulter and hurdler at Lowell High, before moving on to play baseball at Lowell Tech. Burns played golf at Keith Academy. Boehm played basketball and baseball at Lowell State College.
“All three of us were in the same year at St. Margaret School and high school,” Boehm said.
“Our goal is to get 50,” he added. “I’m trying my best to honor Roger’s memory, 49 down, one more.”
