FLW and Ranger Announce a Record $2.5 Million Bass Tournament

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - 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 number one 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."
Final tournament rules and necessary information will be made available no later than December 15, 2005. Exact dates and location for the ROC will be announced next year at the 2006 Wal-Mart FLW Championship being held in Birmingham, Ala., August 2-5, 2006.
 

From FLW Outdoors