ATLANTA (Dec. 16, 2008) – FLW Outdoors® and the State of Georgia, in conjunction with the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and local authorities, announced Tuesday that Atlanta will play host to the world’s richest bass-fishing championship, the $2.5 million Forrest Wood Cup presented by BP and Castrol, Aug. 5-8, 2010, along with the National Guard Junior World Championship from Aug. 6-7, 2010.
The Forrest Wood Cup, bass fishing’s crown jewel, will be held on Lake Lanier, pitting the sport’s biggest names against one another for up to a $1 million top award.
“The Forrest Wood Cup is the largest fishing tournament in the country, and bringing this tournament to Georgia is exactly what I envisioned for the mega-ramps we are building as part of Go Fish,” said Governor Perdue. “This tournament will provide nationally televised exposure for our fishing resources, generate excitement about fishing in Georgia and provide a positive economic impact on our local communities.”
The historic 2007 Forrest Wood Cup in Hot Springs, Ark., where Scott Suggs became the sport’s first $1 million winner, drew a record crowd of more than 60,000 fans over the course of four days, and the 2008 Forrest Wood Cup in Columbia, S.C., earlier this year drew even larger crowds. The 2009 Forrest Wood Cup will be held in Pittsburgh, Pa.
“The Forrest Wood Cup is more than a championship tournament and an outdoor show,” said FLW Outdoors President and CEO Charlie Evans. “The Forrest Wood Cup is a weeklong festival that engages the entire community. Young anglers are able to showcase their talents in the National Guard Junior World Championship and up-and-coming professionals get to test their mettle against the sport’s legends. The Forrest Wood Cup showcases everything that makes bass fishing the greatest sport in the world, including the richest payout in all of fantasy sports, and we are honored to have Atlanta serve as host.”
The Forrest Wood Cup will feature a free Family Fun Zone and Outdoor Show at the Georgia World Congress Center with daily giveaways for children 14 and under. A new Ranger boat will also be given away to a member of the audience during the final weigh-in. Daily weigh-ins and a free concert will be held at the Georgia Dome.
Coverage of the Forrest Wood Cup is broadcast to 81 million FSN (Fox Sports Net) subscribers in the United States as part of the “FLW Outdoors” television program. “FLW Outdoors” is also broadcast in Canada on WFN (World Fishing Network) and to more than 429 million households in the United Kingdom, Europe, Russia, Australia, Africa, Asia and the Middle East through a distribution agreement with Matchroom Sport, making it the most widely distributed fishing program in the world. The program airs Sunday mornings at 11 Eastern time in most markets. Check local listings for times in your area.
FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world. In 2009 alone the organization is offering more than 90,000 anglers the chance to win over $40 million through 230 tournaments in 10 circuits. FLW Outdoors is also taking fishing mainstream with FLW Fantasy Fishing, offering the largest awards possible in the history of fantasy sports, $10 million in cash and prizes.
For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000. For more information about FLW Fantasy Fishing and Player’s Advantage, visit FantasyFishing.com. To plan your trip to Atlanta for the $2.5 million Forrest Wood Cup Aug. 5-8, 2010, go to Atlanta.net.
