The
nation’s most time-honored military branch, the National Guard, has
extended its partnership with FLW Outdoors, the world’s largest
tournament-fishing organization. This union is more than a sponsorship:
it is an avenue to spread awareness of the national commitment of our
servicemen and women to outdoor enthusiasts throughout the world, giving
back to our soldiers and veterans through an opportunity to engage in
fishing events, and encourage people to explore the opportunity of
serving their country.
SOLDIER APPRECIATION
Trisha Blake, president, FLW Outdoors Marketing Division,
stated: “We are both honored and proud to have the opportunity to
continue our long-standing partnership with the National Guard. The
impact they have had on the growth of our sport has been remarkable.
What the National Guard men and women do each day to serve and protect
our communities, country and the world is something we should all be
thankful for. We look forward to further building upon our unique
partnership as we continue to educate our constituents about the
opportunities that serving in the National Guard present as well as
honoring those that have served with our soldier appreciation
tournaments.”
The National Guard will continue to serve as the title sponsor
of National Guard FLW College Fishing, solidifying its commitment to
bringing high-end tournament fishing to campuses across the country. It
will also be the title sponsor of the National Guard FLW Walleye Tour,
the world’s premier walleye tournament circuit. The Guard will continue
to sponsor The Bass Federation (TBF) Junior World Championship and the
TBF National Championship while serving as the presenting sponsor for
the Walmart FLW Tour events on Lake Chickamauga and the Potomac River
during the 2011 season.
FLW Outdoors and The Bass Federation launched a new national
program in 2011, High School Fishing, the largest student-angler
initiative in history. The National Guard will serve as the title
sponsor for the High School Fishing Regional Championships and the High
School Fishing National Championship. These championship events will be
held in conjunction with the regional and national championship events
for College Fishing.
The National Guard is also a vital component of the newly
launched FLW Outdoors Wounded Heroes Fishing program. The program
connects FLW Outdoors member volunteers with wounded veterans for a day
of fishing. The program was launched earlier in 2011 and has seen
incredible participation throughout the country. To take a veteran
fishing for a day, sign up at FLWOutdoors.com/community/wounded-heroes/.
The National Guard FLW Soldier Appreciation Tournaments began in
2010, and they will continue to be operated by FLW Outdoors in
conjunction with the Guard at select FLW Outdoors events in 2011. These
tournaments are designed to reward service and excellence among
deserving soldiers.
"The National Guard is proud to continue our partnership with FLW Outdoors,” said 1st
Lt. Benjamin Bullington. “We look forward to another year of telling
the National Guard’s story and representing all of the soldiers who have
served or are currently serving both at home and overseas. Our soldiers
are doing great things every day all over the world, and our
partnership presents a great vehicle in order to honor their service."
NATIONAL GUARD PRO STAFF
Representing Team National Guard in 2011 will be some of the
best anglers in the sport of bass fishing. The pro team will consist of
Brent Ehrler of Redlands, Calif.; Jonathan Newton of Rogersville, Ala.;
Justin Lucas of Guntersville, Ala.; and Scott Martin of Clewiston, Fla.;
as well as newcomers Brett Hite of Phoenix and Mark Rose of Marion,
Ark., who will all compete on the FLW Tour.
Serving as co-anglers on the FLW Tour will be Sgt. 1st
Class Reginald Falls of Howard, Pa.; Sgt. Adam Lock of Metropolis,
Ill.; Command Sgt. Maj. Michael “Doc” McGhee of Blackstone, Va.; Capt.
Curtis Persinger of New Albany, Ind.; and Sgt. 1st Class Mark
Wojciechowski of Smyrna, Tenn. McGhee will also fish as a pro in FLW
Tour Open events, and Capt. Jonathan Walker of Tacoma, Wash., will fish
as a pro in the EverStart Series Western Division.
Pro Mark Courts of Harris, Minn., will continue to represent the
National Guard in walleye competition, but will be joined by Lonsdale,
Minn., resident Bill Shimota for 2011. The Guard will also have two
co-angler representatives from the host state in each Walleye Tour
tournament.
