04-19-2007, 03:43 AM
[size 1]FLIPPIN, Ark. - A boat brand unlike any other, the heritage of Ranger Boats is closely intertwined with the history of professional bass fishing. For the first time ever, that grass roots legacy of competitive fishing, combined with the camaraderie of recreational angling, was extended to the thousands of loyal Ranger owners as the first-ever Ranger Owners Championship Series events were announced last fall.
The first event, held last weekend on Kerr Lake, drew 334 teams from around the country. In addition to the one-day tournament which qualified the first- and second-place teams for the 2007 FLW Championship, owners and their families converged on Satterwhite Point on the North Carolina side of the large lake to enjoy the fellowship of other Ranger owners.
The weekend experience included a picnic-style barbeque dinner on Friday night, a welcome ceremony with appearances by Ranger Boat founder Forrest L. Wood, Ranger president Randy Hopper, FLW Outdoors CEO Charlie Evans and legendary Ranger pros Guido and Dion Hibdon, George Cochran and Jimmy Houston. On Saturday, a fully rigged Ranger Z20 powered by an Evinrude E-TEC was given away to the team of Benny Hutchens (East Bend, N.C.) and Kenneth Hutchens (Hamptonville, N.C.).
"It was so great to see so many friends and Ranger owners in one place. The response to this first event was phenomenal," said Ranger Boats President Randy Hopper. "I spoke with many folks who thanked us for putting this together, but the truth is, we did this to thank them for making Ranger what it is today. Already, people are saying that they plan to fish the event at Table Rock, too."
The event was won by the team of Roger Pope (Statesville, N.C) and Nathan Webber (Boone, N.C.), who pocketed a $10,000 Ranger purchase certificate and who will receive an expense paid trip to the 2007 FLW Championship where they will compete out of Ranger's Limited Edition 40th Anniversary boats for the richest prize in professional bass fishing. The second-place team of Dennie Gilbert (Nathalie, Va.) and William Roberts (Fairfax, Va.) won a $7,500 Ranger purchase certificate and will also enjoy an expense-paid trip to the 2007 FLW Championship where they will compete.
The next Ranger Owners Championship Series event will be May 11-12 at Table Rock Lake in Missouri. Both events will be televised on FSN (Fox Sports Net), Americana Outdoors and Versus. The weekend experience includes Friday night's meal and welcoming ceremony with Saturday's competition capped by a live, on-stage, FLW-style weigh in and awards ceremony.
There's still time to be a part of this final event. Regular registration for the tournament on Table Rock ends on May 1, 2007. If you register after these dates, then a $50 late fee will be added. The entry fee for the Owners Tournaments is $200 per team, per event, and entries may be made by calling FLW Outdoors at (270) 252-1000. Entrants who wish to fish the event as a boater and are not currently Ranger Owners Group members may enroll over the phone at the time of registration.
The Forrest Wood Cup (Hot Springs, Aug. 2-5 ) will include qualifiers from the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series, Stren Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Ranger Owners Tournament Championship Series and The Bass Federation (TBF) competing for a top pro award of $500,000 plus a Ranger bonus of $500,000 for a total of $1 million for qualified Ranger owners. The top co-angler award in the Forrest Wood Cup is $50,000 for qualified Ranger owners.
About Ranger Boats
Ranger Boats, headquartered in Flippin, Ark., is the nation's largest manufacturer of premium fiberglass fishing boats, including a series of bass, multi-species, fish 'n play and saltwater boats. Founded in 1968 by Forrest L. Wood, Ranger Boats continues its commitment to building the highest quality, strongest performing boats on the water.
Media Contact<br />
Josh Ward, Blue Heron Communications (800) 654-3766 Josh@blueheroncomm.com [/size]
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The first event, held last weekend on Kerr Lake, drew 334 teams from around the country. In addition to the one-day tournament which qualified the first- and second-place teams for the 2007 FLW Championship, owners and their families converged on Satterwhite Point on the North Carolina side of the large lake to enjoy the fellowship of other Ranger owners.
The weekend experience included a picnic-style barbeque dinner on Friday night, a welcome ceremony with appearances by Ranger Boat founder Forrest L. Wood, Ranger president Randy Hopper, FLW Outdoors CEO Charlie Evans and legendary Ranger pros Guido and Dion Hibdon, George Cochran and Jimmy Houston. On Saturday, a fully rigged Ranger Z20 powered by an Evinrude E-TEC was given away to the team of Benny Hutchens (East Bend, N.C.) and Kenneth Hutchens (Hamptonville, N.C.).
"It was so great to see so many friends and Ranger owners in one place. The response to this first event was phenomenal," said Ranger Boats President Randy Hopper. "I spoke with many folks who thanked us for putting this together, but the truth is, we did this to thank them for making Ranger what it is today. Already, people are saying that they plan to fish the event at Table Rock, too."
The event was won by the team of Roger Pope (Statesville, N.C) and Nathan Webber (Boone, N.C.), who pocketed a $10,000 Ranger purchase certificate and who will receive an expense paid trip to the 2007 FLW Championship where they will compete out of Ranger's Limited Edition 40th Anniversary boats for the richest prize in professional bass fishing. The second-place team of Dennie Gilbert (Nathalie, Va.) and William Roberts (Fairfax, Va.) won a $7,500 Ranger purchase certificate and will also enjoy an expense-paid trip to the 2007 FLW Championship where they will compete.
The next Ranger Owners Championship Series event will be May 11-12 at Table Rock Lake in Missouri. Both events will be televised on FSN (Fox Sports Net), Americana Outdoors and Versus. The weekend experience includes Friday night's meal and welcoming ceremony with Saturday's competition capped by a live, on-stage, FLW-style weigh in and awards ceremony.
There's still time to be a part of this final event. Regular registration for the tournament on Table Rock ends on May 1, 2007. If you register after these dates, then a $50 late fee will be added. The entry fee for the Owners Tournaments is $200 per team, per event, and entries may be made by calling FLW Outdoors at (270) 252-1000. Entrants who wish to fish the event as a boater and are not currently Ranger Owners Group members may enroll over the phone at the time of registration.
The Forrest Wood Cup (Hot Springs, Aug. 2-5 ) will include qualifiers from the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series, Stren Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Ranger Owners Tournament Championship Series and The Bass Federation (TBF) competing for a top pro award of $500,000 plus a Ranger bonus of $500,000 for a total of $1 million for qualified Ranger owners. The top co-angler award in the Forrest Wood Cup is $50,000 for qualified Ranger owners.
About Ranger Boats
Ranger Boats, headquartered in Flippin, Ark., is the nation's largest manufacturer of premium fiberglass fishing boats, including a series of bass, multi-species, fish 'n play and saltwater boats. Founded in 1968 by Forrest L. Wood, Ranger Boats continues its commitment to building the highest quality, strongest performing boats on the water.
Media Contact<br />
Josh Ward, Blue Heron Communications (800) 654-3766 Josh@blueheroncomm.com [/size]
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