Wal-Mart FLW Outdoors, Ranger Boats announce record $2.5 million bass tournament

MINNEAPOLIS - Wal-Mart FLW Outdoors and Ranger Boats have combined efforts to conduct the richest bass tournament in the history of the sport. A record $1 million in cash will be awarded to the first-place pro in the Ranger Owners Championship (ROC). There will also be a record $250,000 in cash paid to the first-place co-angler in the ROC.

Irwin Jacobs, chairman of Wal-Mart FLW Outdoors, stated: “When we started the Wal-Mart FLW Tour 10 years ago, I hoped and believed that there would come a day when professional anglers would have the opportunity to compete in one of our tournaments for a million-dollar payday. That day has now arrived, and there is no one happier or more excited than me.”

Jacobs further stated: “I believe that Wal-Mart, Ranger Boats and all of our other FLW Outdoors sponsors are collectively responsible for the growth in professional angling as well as raising its awareness to new historic levels. The ROC will raise the bar once again and become the most important and unique professional fishing tournament in the history of competitive angling.”

Randy Hopper, president of Ranger Boats, stated: “Today is clearly a historical time in professional bass fishing. Ranger is extremely proud to be a partner with Wal-Mart FLW Outdoors in the first-ever $1 million payday to the professional bass angler who wins the ROC. Ranger’s support and participation for this historic event is our way of saying thank you to the thousands of Ranger boat owners who have helped to make Ranger the No. 1 bass-boat company in the world.”

Hopper further stated: “Although professional bass fishing has come a long way, particularly over the past 10 years since Wal-Mart, FLW Outdoors and Ranger partnered to create the world’s largest and most prestigious fishing-tournament organization, I believe the next 10 years will even be more impressive and will provide more opportunities for anglers competing in Wal-Mart FLW Outdoors tournaments.”

Charlie Evans, president of FLW Outdoors, stated: “I’ve committed the better part of my life to support professional fishing and to be part of this great organization and industry that, in these wonderfully historical times, is a dream come true. Besides the fact that the ROC is going to pay $1 million in cash to the pro who wins and $250,000 in cash to the winning co-angler, there will also be a record-setting additional $1.25 million paid to the field. When you talk about the huge sums of money being paid out in professional fishing, it is no wonder people everywhere are paying attention to, and getting involved in, competitive professional bass fishing.”

Ranger Owners Championship (ROC) details

? The ROC will pay a record $1 million in cash to the first-place pro.
? The ROC will pay a record $250,000 in cash to the first-place co-angler.
? There will be an additional $1.25 million paid to the field for a total purse of $2.5 million for the ROC.
? There will be an additional $100,000 in cash paid to the first-place pro if he or she has owned and operated either a Yamaha or Evinrude engine throughout 2006.
? There will be an additional $25,000 in cash paid to the first-place co-angler if he or she owned and operated either a Yamaha or Evinrude engine throughout 2006.
? There will be a total field of 200 pros and 200 co-anglers.

Pro qualification requirements

? To qualify the competitor must be the first purchaser of a Ranger Boat 2003 model year or newer.
? Anglers will be able to qualify through participation in the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, the Wal-Mart EverStart Series and the Wal-Mart BFL.
? Anglers will also be able to qualify through the Ranger Boat Company dealer organization.
? Additionally, a limited number of pro entry slots will go to high-profile celebrities that are registered Ranger owners.

Co-angler qualification

? To qualify the competitor must be the first purchaser of a Ranger Boat 2003 model year or newer.
? Co-anglers will be able to qualify through participation in the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, the Wal-Mart EverStart Series and the Wal-Mart BFL.
? Co-anglers will be able to qualify through the Ranger Boat Company dealer organization.
? Additionally, a limited number of co-angler entry slots will go to high-profile celebrities that are registered Ranger owners.

Final tournament rules and necessary information will be made available to the public no later than Dec. 15, 2005. Exact dates and location of the ROC will be announced next year at the 2006 Wal-Mart FLW Championship, slated for Birmingham, Ala., Aug. 2-5, 2006.

Ranger Boats background/history

Headquartered in Flippin, Ark., Ranger is the nation’s largest manufacturer of premium fiberglass fishing boats, including a series of bass, multi-species, fish ’n play and saltwater boats. Founded in 1968 by Forrest L. Wood, Ranger Boats continues its commitment to building the highest quality, strongest performing boats on the water. More information on Ranger Boats and the benefits of the Ranger Owners Group can be found by visiting www.rangerboats.com or calling toll-free 1-800-373-2628.

Genmar facts/background

With approximately 5,000 employees and nine manufacturing centers, Genmar is the builder of 15 premier brands of recreational boats and the industry’s technological leader in the United States and Europe with the development of VEC? Technology and the Roplene? process. Genmar boat brands include Aquasport?, Carver?, Champion?, Four Winns?, Glastron?, Hydra-Sports?, Larson?, Marquis? by Carver, Nuvari?, Ranger?, Seaswirl?, Stratos?, Triumph?, Wellcraft? and Windsor Craft?.

For the most up-to-date information, news release archives, downloadable high-resolution logos and photographs of Genmar products, visit www.genmar.com/pr/index.cfm.

FLW Outdoors organizational history

Named after the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, Forrest L. Wood, Wal-Mart FLW Outdoors administers eight national tournament circuits offering combined purses in excess of $30 million cash through 214 events in 2005. The 27-year-old organization is the purveyor of America’s largest and most prestigious fishing tournaments, including the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart EverStart Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour and Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series.

Posted by DODGE at July 14, 2005 02:02 PM in Tournament (FLW)