November 18, 2004

Priority FLW Tour registration for 2005 season continues through Dec. 16

flwlogo.gifFLW Outdoors has announced that registration for the upcoming 2005 Wal-Mart FLW Tour season will open to the general public beginning Dec. 21. Priority registration - designated for the top 100 FLW Tour pros and top 50 co-anglers from the 2004 season as well as qualifying anglers from the EverStart Series and BFL tournament trails -is currently ongoing and will run through Dec. 16. Anglers who have priority status and wish to register before Dec. 17 should contact FLW Outdoors at (270) 252-1000.

In addition, Ranger boat owners can begin registering as early as Dec. 17 while Champion, Stratos and Skeeter owners can begin registering Dec. 20.

For other entries, nontransferable, nonrefundable deposits will be accepted Dec. 21 beginning 8 a.m. Central time. Anglers who enter all six qualifying tournaments by Dec. 21 will be given priority over anglers who enter less than six events.

Online registration for the FLW Tour will be made available beginning Dec. 17.

The total tournament purse for the 2005 FLW Tour season is $7.6 million, representing an $800,000 increase over last year¡Çs total award. In addition, pro anglers who place in the top 50 at any of the six qualifying events during the 2005 season will receive a minimum cash award of at least $10,000 ŽÐ a dramatic change in purse payouts from last year.

Rules, participating requirements and additional registration information

Specific registration rules regarding the 2005 FLW Tour are as follows:

* Participation is open only to tournament members of FLW Outdoors who are 16 years of age or older. Any person entering a tournament under the age of majority must also have the signature of their parent or legal guardian in the provided space on the entry form. In addition, all contestants must have in their possession a valid fishing license.

* The top 100 pros and the top 50 co-anglers from the 2004 season, anglers who qualify for entry through the EverStart Series and anglers who qualify through the Wal-Mart BFL must have their deposits for all six tournaments paid by Dec. 16, 2004, in order to secure their priority entry position.

* For Ranger boat owners and sponsor entries (FLW Outdoors will reserve sponsor spots in each qualifying tournament) nontransferable, nonrefundable deposits will be accepted to hold spots for tournaments beginning Dec. 17 at 8 a.m. Central time.

* For Champion, Stratos and Skeeter owners, nontransferable, nonrefundable deposits will be accepted to hold spots for tournaments beginning Dec. 20 at 8 a.m. Central time.

* For all other entries, nontransferable, nonrefundable deposits will be accepted to hold spots for tournaments beginning Dec. 21 at 8 a.m. Central time. Anglers who enter all six qualifying tournaments by Dec. 21 will be given priority over anglers who enter less than six events.

* Entries received after a tournament has filled will be placed on a waiting list. Those placed on the waiting list and not accepted into the tournament will receive a full refund after the tournament. Each qualifying tournament will be limited to 400 contestants (200 boats).

* Registration can be completed online by visiting FLWOutdoors.com or by contacting FLW Outdoors headquarters via phone, fax or mail at:

FLW Outdoors
30 Gamble Lane
Benton, KY 42025
(270) 252-1000, phone
(270) 252-1001, fax

Entry fee information

Tournament fees for the upcoming 2005 season will vary by tournament. For the four $900,000 total purse qualifying events (Lake Okeechobee, Lake Toho, Ouachita River and Wheeler Lake) entry fees for the Pro Division will be $2,750 and $600 for the Co-angler Division.

For the two $1.25 million qualifying events (Beaver Lake and Potamac River) pro entry fees will be $3,000 while co-angler entry fees will be $700.

Tournament deposits for each of the six regular season events are $750 for pros and $150 for co-anglers.

The $1.5 million 2005 FLW Championship, slated for Lake Hamilton for July 13-16, will be an entry-fee-free event.

Complete 2005 FLW Tour schedule

January 19-22: Lake Okeechobee, Clewiston, Fla.

February 9-12: Lake Toho, Kissimmee-St. Cloud, Fla.

March 9-12: Ouachita River, Monroe, La.

April 13-16: Wal-Mart Open Beaver Lake, Rogers, Ark.

May 11-14: Wheeler Lake, Decatur, Ala.

June 22-25: Chevy Open ŽÐ Potomac River, Charles County, Md.

July 13-16: Forrest L. Wood Championship Lake Hamilton, Hot Springs, Ark.

+For more infomation, clickwww.FLW Outdoors.com.

Posted by DODGE at November 18, 2004 04:04 PM in Tournament (FLW)

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