PRESS RELEASE ~ Bass Pro Shops Sign On For Year Three As Title Sponsor Of BPS Lake Simcoe Open ~

PRESS RELEASE
~ Bass Pro Shops Sign On For Year Three As
Title Sponsor Of BPS Lake Simcoe Open ~

For Immediate Release: June 18, 2009


With the resounding success of the 2007 and 2008 Bass Pro Shops Lake Simcoe Open presented by Jack Link’s Beef Jerky, the Aurora Bassmasters are pleased to announce that Bass Pro Shops has again committed to Title Sponsor of the Lake Simcoe event on Oct. 24, 2009 based out of Couchiching Park, City of Orillia.

Of note, the 30lbs Toyota Truck Record payout eluded 2008 Champions, (brothers) Howard & Mike Gifford who weighed in 28.36lbs. Their weight was shy of the previous all-time Canadian one-day tournament record of 29.90lbs set in 2006 by partners John MacDonald & Steve Hawkins. With no team topping 30lbs, the Toyota Truck Record Payout will increase by $5,000 for the 2009 event - a total bonus valued at $15,000!

“We’re excited to be back as Title Sponsor of the 2009 Bass Pro Shops Lake Simcoe Open.” says George Wallace, Canadian Market Manager, Bass Pro Shops. “The Organizing Group did a great job ensuring a smooth transition and growth from one year to the next. We are thankful to all those that played an integral role in this past year’s successes. In particular, we would like to thank participating sponsors, suppliers and volunteers alike; and, one cannot forget the full-field of competing anglers. With this in mind, we’re looking forward to what the 2009 BPS Lake Simcoe Open will bring. We strongly believe that the framework we’ve put in place with our partners holds tremendous potential; we will continue to support the premier one-day bass tournament in Canada!” Wallace concluded.

Herb Quan president of the Aurora Bassmasters added, “On behalf of the Aurora Bassmasters, I’d like to thank BPS for their continued commitment. As in year’s past, BPS will not only help us to achieve incredible exposure for the tournament itself, but they will also generate increased awareness of our award-winning bass research project.” Quan is referring to a bass-tagging project spearheaded by the Aurora Bassmasters in 2006 and supported by MNR’s Community Fisheries Wildlife Involvement Program and Queens University through the lab of Dr. Bruce Tufts and his colleague Matt DeMille.

Applications Now Being Accepted!

Limited Field … Early Application Encouraged:
Competing anglers are encouraged to pre-apply as the 2009 field will be limited to 100 teams. NEW: total entry fees per team will be $300; plus $20 for Yamaha Big Fish ($320 total). Anglers wishing to apply should forward a completed 2009 Application Form accompanied and a $320 non-refundable payment payable to Aurora Bassmasters: c/o Simcoe Open Application 10 Laurwood Court Aurora, Ontario L4G 5C2. Failure to submit payment in-full will result in nullification of the Team’s entry application. Cheques must accompany a completed 2009 Application Form available through www.simcoeopen.com. A 2009 Application Form by itself does not automatically constitute entry; furthermore, the Tournament Director reserves the right to refuse/deny entry.

In order to maintain the highest level of communication between tournament organizers and anglers prior to the event itself, it is mandatory for all applicants to include their respective email addresses on the Application Form itself so that all notices and event-related messaging can be relayed directly to all interested parties. This includes but is not limited to: Receipt of application, confirmation of eligibility and participation, any and all communications relating to the General Rules, Regulations & Liability.

As new information is made available, it will be posted on the Official Web Site of the Bass Pro Shops Lake Simcoe Open at www.simcoeopen.com and the Official Web Site of the Aurora Bassmasters at www.aurorabass.com. 2009 Application Forms and a complete listing of the General Rules, Regulations & Liability will be made available online and updated as required. The Aurora Bassmasters are one of 30 clubs across the province belonging to the Ontario BASS Federation Nation at www.ontariobass.com.

Press Release prepared by:
Wil Wegman
wil.wegman@aurorabass.com

Simon Frost
tymike@sympatico.ca