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Kevin Miller of
Augusta, Kansas will compete
HARRIS CHAIN OF LAKES TO HOST BASS FEDERATION
CHAMPIONSHIP
Jan. 11-14 Tournament Broadcast
on ESPN2, Sends 6 Anglers To CITGO Bassmaster Classic
October 11, 2005 - CELEBRATION, Fla. The
Harris Chain of Lakes in Leesburg will host the 2006 BASS Federation
Championship on Jan. 11-14, 2006 a tournament with 54 invited
anglers battling for $50,000 cash and six highly coveted berths
to the 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Classic, BASS officials announced
today.
Federation members from 47 state chapters and chapters
in Japan, South Africa, Italy, Zimbabwe and Canada comprise the
field. Doug Moore of Van Buren, Ark., the winner of the Paralyzed
Veterans of America Grand National Championship, will compete
along with Ed Cowan of Greeley, Pa., the 2005 Federation national
champion.
The top angler receives $50,000 cash and will be
named the Federation national champion. The top anglers from
each of the six Federation divisions will go on to the Classic.
Each also receives automatic qualification into their choice
of the 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Southern or Northern Tour. And,
the angler with the heaviest catch of the day is eligible to
compete in next year,s BUSCH Shootout.
"Anglers participating in the BASS Federation
Championship have two goals, said Gary Jones, director of the
Federation and Angler Relations. "Winning the top cash prize
and representing their state and division by moving forward to
the CITGO Bassmaster Classic, the Super Bowl of bass fishing,
to compete with the world,s most elite anglers.
The no-entry-fee tournament will have a five-fish
limit each day and will have no cut. Members of the Florida BASS
Federation will act as drivers and observers. Those fans that
can,t see the tournament live can watch coverage Saturday, Jan.
21 at 10 a.m. EST on ESPN2.
BASS is no stranger to the Harris Chain. The organization
has visited the 10-lake chain nine times, most recently for the
2005 CITGO Bassmaster Tour in February when Peter Thliveros of
Jacksonville, Fla., brought to the scales a 69-pound, 5-ounce
winning sack. Anglers caught more than 1,000 fish in that three-day
tournament weighing more than 2,500 pounds.
"The economic impact of BASS tournaments is
so important to us, said Bill Deese, director of the Leesburg
Area Chamber of Commerce, the local organizing committee and
host sponsor. "Hotels, restaurants, shopping and just about
everything see an increase in income on those days a BASS event
is here. And the national television coverage on ESPN2 gives
our fisheries exposure to the whole country. The fan and community
support has been tremendous and BASS will be welcome with open
arms.
Anglers can take advantage of a nine-day practice
period Dec. 1-9, 2005. Other than that window, the waters are
off limits beginning Oct. 17. Daily launch and weigh-ins
will take place at Venetian Gardens Community Center, 109 E.
Dixie Ave., Leesburg, Fla., 34748.
Additionally, 96 contenders will participate in
the CastingKids national semifinals on Jan. 13. The group will
be whittled down to 12 young anglers who will compete at the
CastingKids national finals at the Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 24-26
on Lake Tohopekaliga in Kissimmee, Fla.
BASS is the worldwide authority on bass fishing,
sanctioning more than 20,000 events through the BASS Federation
annually. Guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans, BASS
sets the standard for credibility, professionalism, sportsmanship
and conservation, as it has for nearly 40 years.
BASS stages bass fishing tournaments for every
skill level and culminates with the CITGO Bassmaster Classic.
Through its clubs, youth programs, aquatic resource advocacy,
magazine publishing and multimedia platforms, BASS offers the
industry's widest array of services and support to its nearly
550,000 members. The organization is headquartered in Celebration,
Fla.
For more information, contact BASS Communications
at (407) 566-2208 or visit www.bassmaster.com <http://www.bassmaster.com/>
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2005 BASS Federation Championship Participants
Ed Cowan, Greeley, Pa.
Greg Vinson, Wetumpka, Ala.
Dave Mehalechko, Glendale Ariz.
Zackary King, Clarksville, Ark.
Mark Schroeder, Red Bluff, Calif.
Joe Conway, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Greg Lownds, Danbury, Conn.
Greg Alexander, Hebron, Md.
Bobby Lane, Lakeland, Fla.
Gary Thompson, Hiram, Ga.
Dusty Womack, Caldwell, Idaho
Fred Myers, Bloomington, Ill.
Ron Nale, Milltown, Ind.
Steven Houdek, Calmar, Iowa
Kevin Miller, Augusta, Kansas
Bill Lowen, Cincinnatti, Ohio
James Kennedy, Lacombe, La.
Steven Harris, South China, Maine
Kevin Waterman, LaPlata, Md.
Roger Bogosh, Attleboro, Mass
Paul Soma, Traverse City, Mich.
Jim Severson, Breezy Point, Minn.
Randy Haynes, Starkville, Miss.
Luke Payne, Warsaw, Mo.
Curtis Spindler, Missoula, Mt.
Danny Shanz, Adamstown, Md.
Alex Franks, Boystown, Neb.
Scott Parker, Londonberry, N.H.
Bob Soley, Ewing, N.J.
Mark Adams, Edgewood, New Mexico
Matthew Sphar, Pavilion, N.Y.
Michael Williams, Leland, N.C.
Joe Hanning, Millfield, Ohio
Lee Sanders, Stillwater, Okla.
Garrett Green, Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada
Gary Yeley, Wilsonville. Ore.
Daniel Gray, Butler, Pa.
Doug Moore, Van Buren, Ark.
Joel St Germain, Cumberland. R.I.
Nelson Walker, Manning, S.C. 40
Gary Steichen, Woonsocket. S.D.
Steve Blocker, Harrogate, Tenn.
Tom Jessop, Dalhart, Texas
Rob Johnson, Murray, Utah
Sean Alvarez, Rutland, Vermont
Steve Roberts, Lynchburg, Va.
Marc Lippincott, Spokane, Wash.
Kevin Goff, New Martinsville, W.Va.
Jimmy Johnson, LaCrosse, Wisc.
Bill Golightly, Preston, Idaho
Kentarou Yamada , Japan
Anre De Villiers, South Africa
Alessandro Debbi, Italy
* A representative from Zimbabwe has not been chosen.
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