Field Set for Toyota Texas Bass Classic

Field Set for Toyota Texas Bass Classic
Three-Day Tournament at Lake Conroe Crowns World Champion Oct. 18



Lake Conroe, Texas – The elite field of 60 anglers for the Toyota Texas Bass Classic (TTBC), a three-day, world-class professional bass fishing tournament, has been finalized. The tournament takes place this weekend, October 16 – 18 at Lake Conroe in Montgomery, Texas. Following the conclusion of the Professional Anglers Association (PAA) Tournament Series event last week at Toledo Bend, the qualification standings were confirmed. The field is comprised of 20 anglers from the PAA Tour Level Standings and 40 anglers from the PAA Tournament Series Standings.



For the first year, the TTBC is positioned as the world championship of the PAA Tournament Series and the format will be an individual angling competition, making the event a true world championship. All anglers are qualified members of the PAA. The tournament is a no-entry fee event with a purse of $500,000 and $250,000 in cash and prizes going to the champion.



This unique event, with a focus on conservation, brings in 60 of the most elite anglers from around the world for three days of tournament fishing. In addition, fans can enjoy numerous activities from the event site including three days of country music concerts headlined by Pat Green and also featuring Josh Turner, Julianne Hough, Zona Jones and the Kyle Hunt Band.



The TTBC field includes some of the most prominent names in the world of tournament fishing. Kevin VanDam, a four-time Toyota Tundra Bassmaster of the Year and two-time FLW Angler of the Year, will compete. He’s widely regarded as the top angler in the world. In addition, Clark Wendlandt, the 2009 FLW Angler of the Year, will participate. He’s won FLW Angler of the Year honors three times.



Kelly Jordon, a co-founder of the TTBC tournament, will return. He won the 2008 event as a team captain prior to the change to an individual format. Local anglers Sean Hoernke, from The Woodlands, and Russell Cecil, from Willis, will have the hometown support behind them.



Rick Morris earned his way into the TTBC with the help of his victory last week at the PAA’s Toledo Bend event. Toledo Bend was the third event in the PAA Tournament Series, leading up to the TTBC World Championship. Brian Snowden won the first event at Lake Toho and Todd Auten prevailed at Neely Henry. A complete field list is located below.



The Toyota Texas Bass Classic is sanctioned by the Professional Anglers Association with technical assistance and support from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Inland Fisheries Division. Title sponsor for the event is Toyota. Dick’s Sporting Goods is the official sporting goods provider. The Saturday Concert is presented by Evan Williams, the official bourbon of the TTBC. MillerCoors is the official beer. 100.3 KILT and SportsRadio 610 are the official radio partners. Phoenix Boats is the official boat of the TTBC. Waste Management is the official trash and recycling partner. The tournament will be held on Buffalo Springs, a planned development in the City of Montgomery. Corporate partnership opportunities are available for 2009. For additional information, visit www.toyotatexasbassclassic.com or call 1-866-907-0143.



2009 Toyota Texas Bass Classic Field List:



Todd Auten
Chris Baumgardner
Tommy Biffle
Cody Bird
Shonn Blassingame
Dalton Bobo
Glenn Browne
Keith Caka
Russell Cecil
Jason Christie
Luke Clausen
Fred Contaoi
Chris Daves
Craig Dowling
Boyd Duckett
David P. Dudley
Guy Eaker, Sr.
Chris Elliott
Todd Faircloth
Shinichi Fukae
Anthony Gagliardi
Shaw Grigsby
Greg Hackney
Sean Hoernke
Timmy Horton
Duke Jenkel
Kelly Jordon
Steve Kennedy
J.T. Kenney
Stacey King
Jeff Kriet
Arnie Lane
Bobby Lane
Russ Lane
Dave Lefebre
Kyle Mabrey
Dave Mansue
Aaron Martens
Tommy Martin
Mike McClelland
Sandy Melvin
Andy Montgomery
Andy Morgan
Chad Morganthaler
Rick Morris
Matt Ogrodowicz
Takahiro Omori
Patrick Pierce
Justin Rackley
Matt Reed
Mark Rose
Dave Smith
Brian Snowden
Joe Thomas
Brian Thrift
Kevin VanDam
Lance Vick
David Walker
Clark Wendlandt
Michael Wurm