For additional information, please contact:
Dave Washburn, Communications Director, (270) 527-4125
For Immediate Release
FLW Outdoors announces 2003 schedule, $5.5 million purse
Benton, Ky. (June 24, 2002) – FLW Outdoors, the world’s leading marketer of
competitive fishing tournaments, announced Monday its 2003 Wal-Mart FLW Tour
schedule featuring an unprecedented $5.5 million cash purse.
The tour, which features cash purses ranging from $500,000 to $1.5 million,
kicks off Jan. 22-25 on Lake Okeechobee in Clewiston, Fla., then travels to
the Atchafalaya Basin near Morgan City, La., Feb. 12-15 and Lake Murray,
Columbia, S.C., March 12-15. Beaver Lake at Rogers, Ark., will host the $1
million Wal-Mart Open April 9-12 followed by a tour stop on Kentucky Lake in
Benton, Ky., May 14-17 and the $1 million Forrest Wood Open on Wheeler Lake
in Florence, Ala., June 18-21.
Anglers ranking in the top 48 spots following these six regular-season
tournaments will advance to the $1.5 million Jacobs Cup in Richmond, Va.,
where the world champion will net a record $500,000 cash and the pro
finishing 48th will win $12,200 cash, enough to cover entry fees for the
entire season. The co-angler champion will receive $25,000 cash.
“Since the inception of the Wal-Mart FLW Tour in 1996, our goal has been to
put professional bass fishing on the same level as other professional sports
in terms of awards, prestige and national awareness,” said Irwin L. Jacobs,
FLW Outdoors chairman and namesake of the Jacobs Cup. “I think our 2003
schedule is proof of that commitment and how far we have come toward
achieving our goal. At no other time in the history of the sport have the
opportunities for professional anglers been so great.”
Wal-Mart FLW Tour entry fees remain unchanged for the fourth consecutive
year, which means the 2003 tour will pay out 210 percent of entry fees, an
all-time high. During the past two years, Wal-Mart FLW Tour purses have
increased by more than $1 million.
“The ‘Road to Richmond’ is paved with gold,” said Virginia Governor Mark
Warner. “That gold is not just for FLW Tour competitors who will be casting
for a share of $1.5 million in our great capital. The Jacobs Cup will also
generate millions of dollars for the local economy as it showcases the James
River to the nation’s 77 million outdoor enthusiasts and draws thousands of
spectators to weigh-ins and an outdoor show at the Richmond Convention
Center. This tournament is a significant economic development victory for
the Commonwealth.”
The Wal-Mart FLW Tour and highlights from the EverStart Series, Wal-Mart
Bass Fishing League and Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit are broadcast on the
Outdoor Life Network as part of “FLW Outdoors,” which features the latest
tournament news and in-depth discussions with the world’s best anglers. “FLW
Outdoors” airs at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. EST Saturdays as well as 1 p.m. EST
Sundays and 7 p.m. EST Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Sponsors of the 2002 Wal-Mart FLW Tour are Wal-Mart, ALPO Pet Foods,
BFGoodrich Tires, Castrol, Chevy Trucks, Coleman, Conseco, Eagle
Electronics, Energizer, EverStart Batteries, Evinrude, Faded Glory,
Frito-Lay, Fujifilm, Kellogg’s, Land O’Lakes, Maxwell House, Minn Kota,
Newell Rubbermaid, Pepsi, Poulan, Ranger Boats, Shop-Vac, Snickers, Stanley
Works, US Bank, Weed Eater and Yamaha Outboards. Associate sponsors are Abu
Garcia, Act II, Berkley, David Sunflower Seeds, Eagle Claw, Hover-Lure,
Laker, Plano and Solar Bat.
Stratos and Champion have joined the tour as associate sponsors in 2003
along with long-standing Wal-Mart FLW Tour sponsor Ranger Boats.
$5.5 Million Wal-Mart FLW Tour — The Road To Richmond
Date Lake Cash Purse
Jan. 22-25 Lake Okeechobee, Clewiston, Fla. $500,000
Feb. 12-15 Atchafalaya Basin, Morgan City, La. $500,000
March 12-15 Lake Murray, Columbia, S.C. $500,000
April 9-12 Beaver Lake, Rogers, Ark. $1,000,000
Wal-Mart Open
May 14-17 Kentucky Lake, Benton, KY. $500,000
June 18-21 Lake Wheeler, Florence/Rogersville, Ala. $1,000,000
Forrest Wood Open
Top 48 pros and top 48 co-anglers qualify for the Jacobs Cup.
Pro champion . $500,000 cash Co-angler champion . $25,000 cash
Sept. 10-13 James River, Richmond, Va. $1,500,000
Jacobs Cup