Officials of Ranger Boats in Flippin, Ark. announced the selection. Irwin Jacobs, chairman of Ranger Boat Company, and Operation Bass, Inc. which will coordinate the event, said the tournament will fulfill a personal goal.
Fishing promotes a good, clean, wholesome activity for individuals and families throughout America.
Brian Sayner, a spokesman for Operation Bass, said participantion will be limited to Ranger boat owners qualifying in more than 20 tournaments around the country. The championship field will include 200 anglers competing in a professional division, and 200 in a co-angler division. The co-anglers will be paired with the pros during the competition. Cypress Gardens was among many sites around the country hoping to host the tournament. The tourist attraction is on Lake Eloise, the largest lake on the Winter Haven chain.