An estimated 3,500 spectators turned out to watch the Robertsdale ROBERTSDALE, Alabama -- Rotary Club’s 14th annual PCA Championship Rodeo Friday and Saturday at the Baldwin County Coliseum Fairgrounds Arena in Robertsdale.

“We’re very happy with the way it turned out,” said Rotary Club President Linda Buck, saying that the 2,500-seat arena was almost filled to capacity for Saturday night’s event.

According to a representative with the Professional Cowboy Association, 213 entries signed up to participate in eight events, including bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, breakaway roping, barrel racing, team roping and bull riding.

A total of $17,500 in prize money was awarded to cowboys and cowgirls from several states including Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, George, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Illinois.

Winners for this year’s competition include:

Bareback riding: Lance Ethridge, first place, 79; Joe Courville, second, 77; Blake Arp, third, 73.

Saddle bronc riding: Buck Johnson.

Calf roping: Michael Otero, first place, 8.5 seconds; Todd Gould, second, 10.0; Cody Harris, third, 11.1; Jud Gully, fourth, 11.7.

Steer wrestling: Ace Campbell, first place, 3.7 seconds; Trey Austin, second, 3.9; Quinn Campbell, third, 4.4; Troy Orr, fourth, 4.5; Marcus Theriot, fifth, 4.5.

Breakaway roping: Ashlea Pierce, first place, 3.2 seconds; Jennifer Lege, second. 3.4; Tabitha Kiker, third, 3.6; Rachel Allemand, fourth. 4.0; Cindy Jarvis, fifth, 4.1.

Barrel racing: Misty Woodcock, first place, 16.525 seconds; Stephanie Bryant, second, 16.666; Blaise Bercegeay, third, 16.768; Rita Shaw, fourth, 16.814; Chassity Odom, fifth, 16.830; Sheri Jones, sixth, 16.897.

Team roping: Glynn and J.D. Robinson, first place, 5.7 seconds; Lucas Campbell and Nick Griffith, tied for second with Darrell Reeves and Wes Brunson, 5.8; Mitchell Hembree and Nick Griffith, fourth, 6.4; Marcus Theriot and Squirt Cook, fifth, 7.6.

Bull riding: Chance Smart, first place, 88; Jeffery Ramagos and Kevin Bond, tied for second, 86; Jon Mastrangelo, fourth, 85.5; Steven Campbell, fifth, 85.

The annual rodeo serves as a main fundraiser for the Robertsdale Rotary Club.

Last year the Club donated funds to youth baseball, basketball and t-ball leagues;  school lunch program and several other school projects; high school football team; youth outreach programs; hospice programs; Central Baldwin Education Foundation; the Pride Scholarship and Huey Mack Scholarship for two local students; and donated funds to local Veteran’s Home, Buck said.

“(We also) continued our Club’s commitment to eradicate Polio in the world through donations to Rotary International,” she said, “donated to several other local  support groups and last but certainly not least, made donations to The Association for Retarded Citizens of Baldwin County.”

This year’s Rodeo also featured local entertainment and a calf-chase event for children both nights. This year’s cover featured original artwork by Robertsdale High School sophomore Bria Johnson.

Students at Robertsdale High, Central Baldwin Middle, Robertsdale Elementary and Rosinton School, submitted entries for the contest, which included a cash prize of $50, Buck said.

 “We had so many good entries that we decided to include about eight additional entries on the inside of the program as well,” said Buck, estimating that about 75 entries were received for the contest.

The event is the Rotary Club’s biggest fundraiser of the year and has raised thousands through its history. Proceeds benefit the local community, including sports programs and schools, Buck said.

The annual rodeo is once again produced by Bo Campbell Rodeo Productions and is sponsored by Rotary International, Baldwin EMC and the Ram Rodeo Series.

Additional sponsors are Coca Cola Consolidated, City of Robertsdale, Bryant Bank, United Bank, Robertsdale Dental Care – Dr. Jason Northcutt, CashSaver Cost Plus Food Outlet, Wind Creek Casino, Citizens’ Bank, Campbell Hardware & Sporting Goods, Seminole Lawn Care LLC, South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, Chiropractic Associates – Dr. Keith Cooper, Eastern Shore Shoe Hospital, Central Baldwin Chiropractic – Dr. Brian Pierce, Law Office of Thomas Pilcher, D & S Produce LLC, Racine’s Feed Garden & Supply Inc., Regions Bank, Sweat Tire, Household Pest & Termite, Eastern Shore Urgent Care, Bellator Real Estate, Riviera Utilities, Advantage Business Solutions, Johnson Slaughter  Elder & Driver P.A., Robertsdale Feed Store, Water’s Edge and Outback Cooking, Neuschwander Faircloth & Hardy CPA, Stastka Insurance Agency Inc., Piggly Wiggly – Loxley, Baldwin Tractor and Equipment, Alfa Insurance – Carl Davis, Celebrations & Country Convenience, Lee Drug Store, Morgan’s Ice, Summerdale Western Store, Wholesale Optical, Baldwin Animal Clinic & Gulf Coast Equine Hospital, Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and Cruise Away Inc.

The Robertsdale Rotary Club is a member of Rotary International which boasts 34,000 clubs worldwide and operates by the credo of “Service above self,” and under the motto of the 4-way test, “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? And Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Locally the club meets at noon every Tuesday at Mama Lou’s Restaurant on Pine Street in Robertsdale.

For more information on the Robertsdale Rotary Club contact Buck at 251-975-7363.