Bassmaster Elite Series’ 37 Qualifying Spots Set for 2010 Bassmaster Classic
Category: press release
Aug 16th, 2009 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Aug 16th, 2009 at 12:00 AM
With the conclusion of the 2009 regular season, the brunt of the qualifying spots for both the 2010 Bassmaster Classic and Bassmaster Elite Series have been determined. The final Elite event of the regular season, on New York’s Oneida Lake, is the sight where those races were determined, along with Rookie of the Year, but one all-important race remains: The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title will be won, for the first time, in the two-event Bassmaster Elite Series postseason, set for Sept. 10-18 on Alabama’s Lake Jordan and Alabama River. Only the top 12 pros in the AOY standings advanced Sunday and will participate.
On Sunday, 37 anglers were able to punch a ticket to the 2010 Bassmaster Classic and 83 received qualifying berths into next year’s Elite Series. BASS qualifies 36 Elite Series pros for the Classic based on their ranking in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year race. Because 2009 Classic champion Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., automatically qualifies and is presently second in the AOY points, the angler in 37th in the standings also will qualify.
The 2010 Bassmaster Classic is set for Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala.
Sliding in at the cut line are first-time Classic participant Terry Butcher of Talala, Okla., Jason Quinn of York, S.C., and Jami Fralick of Martin, S.D., who finished third in the 2009 Classic. Fralick won a three-way tie with Mark Tucker of St. Louis and Matt Reed of Madisonville, Texas, for 37th place by virtue of pounds and ounces during full-field tournament days.
Thanks to his 10th-place finish at Oneida, Butcher said Sunday what he feels most is relief for having made his first Bassmaster Classic.
“It’s been a very stressful week,” said Butcher, 38. “On the water today I caught them pretty quickly, so I was pretty confident,” Butcher said. “But then I was still a little nervous because I thought the door was still open for the other guys.
“The Classic has been my ultimate goal since I’ve been fishing. I’m not the kind of guy who shows a lot of emotion, but I’m very excited.”
Butcher said when he arrived at Oneida this past week he believed he had no chance to qualify for the Classic, even if he won the tournament.
“I’ve been here five years and this is the first Classic I’ve made, I’ve always felt left out,” he said. “And now I’ve made it. Plus I get to fish for $500,000, that’s the part I’m really excited about. I’ll probably take a week or two off then start doing some homework.”
Joining the 37 Elite qualifiers in the 51-angler Classic field will be six BASS Federation Nation anglers who will qualify via the Federation Nation National Championship (Oct. 28-30, Harris Chain, Tavares, Fla.); two each from the Bassmaster Southern, Central and Northern Opens; and the winner of the Bassmaster Weekend Series Operated by American Bass Anglers Championship.
Also, for just the second time, the Toyota Women’s Bassmaster Angler of the Year will qualify for the Classic. That berth will be determined after the completion of the Women’s Bassmaster Tour Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors. Alabama pro Kim Bain, a native of Australia, made history in 2009 as the first woman to make the Classic. She finished 47th.
In the case of anglers who qualify through two avenues, BASS will work down through the Elite Series’ AOY standings.
The 83 Elite Series qualifiers set the majority of next year’s field. Joining them will be the top seven points leaders from the Bassmaster Southern, Northern and Central Opens. The winner of the BASS Federation Nation Championship also is invited to the Elite Series, along with the previous three years of Bassmaster Classic champions and Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year winners.
Elite anglers who are in good standing can also qualify by using one of three exemptions: Those with participation in 10 or more Bassmaster Classics, Classic championships or Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles can choose to use one exemption to gain entry into the Elites.
The full list of qualifiers is below.
The inaugural Toyota Trucks Championship Week kicks off with the Trophy Chase, set for Sept. 12-13 on Lake Jordan out of Wetumpka, Ala.; the finale, the Evan Williams Bourbon Trophy Triumph, is slated for Sept. 17-18 on the Alabama River from Montgomery.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at 407-566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit espnmediazone.com for ESPN’s latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video and audio clips and more.
Official sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series: Toyota Trucks, Berkley, BOOYAH Baits, Evan Williams Bourbon, Mercury, OPTIMA Batteries, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards.
Supporting sponsors of the Bassmaster Elite Series: Bass Pro Shops, Costa Del Mar, Ramada, SpongeTech and Triton Boats.
About BASS
For 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multi-media platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content – from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage – to passionate audiences.
The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Women’s Bassmaster Tour and the Bassmaster Classic, the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS sanctions more than 20,000 events annually.
BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 525,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
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2009 TOYOTA TUNDRA BASSMASTER ANGLER OF THE YEAR STANDINGS- REGULAR SEASON
Media contact: Doug Grassian, 407-566-2216 or [email protected]
2009 Ramada Worldwide Champion’s Choice – Ramada Worldwide Champion’s Choice Pro Points After Oneida Lake, Syracuse, N.Y. Ending 08-16-2009, Day 4
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Place Name St Pts
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1 Skeet Reese Calif. 2043
2 Kevin VanDam Mich. 2033
3 Alton Jones Texas 1979
4 Kelly Jordon Texas 1819
5 Todd Faircloth Texas 1799
6 Randy Howell Ala. 1796
7 Gary Klein Texas 1789
8 Tommy Biffle Okla. 1778
9 Mark Menendez Ky. 1775
10 Cliff Pace Miss. 1765
11 Michael Iaconelli N.J. 1754
12 Gerald Swindle Ala. 1740
13 Steve Kennedy Ala. 1717
14 Jeff Kriet Okla. 1692
15 Greg Hackney La. 1689
16 Aaron Martens Ala. 1679
17 Takahiro Omori Texas 1673
18 Kevin Short Ark. 1667
19 Shaw Grigsby Fla. 1661
20 Brent Chapman Kan. 1637
21 Byron Velvick Texas 1634
22 Mike McClelland Ark. 1629
23 Kevin Wirth Ky. 1625
24 Casey Ashley S.C. 1598
25 Dean Rojas Ariz. 1571
26 James Niggemeyer Texas 1567
27 Billy McCaghren Ark. 1561
28 Matt Herren Ala. 1553
29 Russ Lane Ala. 1547
30 Stephen Browning Ark. 1540
31 Boyd Duckett Ala. 1525
32 Denny Brauer Mo. 1517
33 John Murray Ariz. 1514
34 Bobby Lane Fla. 1513
35 Terry Butcher Okla. 1491
35 Jason Quinn S.C. 1491
37 Jami Fralick S.D. 1481
37 Mark Tucker Mo. 1481
37 Matt Reed Texas 1481
40 Timmy Horton Ala. 1478
41 Fred Roumbanis Okla. 1466
42 Chad Griffin Texas 1464
43 Jason Williamson S.C. 1462
44 Edwin Evers Okla. 1460
44 Bradley Hallman Okla. 1460
46 Bernie Schultz Fla. 1454
47 Davy Hite S.C. 1451
48 Todd Auten S.C. 1448
49 Dave Wolak N.C. 1446
50 Terry Scroggins Fla. 1442
51 Brian Snowden Mo. 1438
52 Rick Morris Va. 1422
52 Pat Golden N.C. 1422
54 Marty Stone N.C. 1385
55 Dustin Wilks N.C. 1380
56 Greg Vinson Ala. 1378
56 J Todd Tucker Ga. 1378
58 Brian Clark Texas 1377
59 Jeff Connella La. 1371
60 Bill Lowen Ohio 1370
61 Kotaro Kiriyama Ala. 1366
62 Jared Lintner Calif. 1363
63 Rick Clunn Mo. 1354
64 Matthew Sphar N.Y. 1350
65 Mark Tyler Okla. 1334
66 Britt Myers S.C. 1323
67 Mark Davis Ark. 1322
68 Morizo Shimizu Japan 1314
69 Scott Campbell Mo. 1273
70 Derek Remitz Ala. 1264
71 Chris Lane Fla. 1255
72 Pete Ponds Miss. 1242
72 Vince Fulks Okla. 1242
74 John Crews Va. 1236
75 Wade Grooms S.C. 1232
76 Jim Murray Ga. 1228
77 Kenyon Hill Okla. 1224
78 Peter Thliveros Fla. 1208
79 Ish Monroe Calif. 1204
80 Marty Robinson S.C. 1178
81 Guy Eaker N.C. 1158
82 Charlie Hartley Ohio 1134
83 Jeff Reynolds Okla. 1108
84 Ken Cook Okla. 1102
85 Paul Elias Miss. 1097
86 Scott Rook Ark. 1084
87 Clark Reehm Ark. 1078
88 Jimmy Mize Ark. 1064
89 Yusuke Miyazaki Texas 1056
90 Grant Goldbeck Md. 1029
91 Luke Gritter Mich. 1028
92 Jeremy Starks W.Va. 1022
93 Mike Wurm Ark. 1016
94 Mark Burgess Mass. 994
95 Zell Rowland Texas 974
96 Elton Luce Texas 970
97 Brent Broderick Ohio 844
98 David Smith Okla. 785
99 Jon Bondy Canada 495
100 Kevin Langill N.C. 484