MINNEAPOLIS (March 24, 2003) — Ozark Trail, the newest addition to FLW Outdoors’ group of sponsors, recently announced the members of its professional angling team that will hit the water during the 2004 bass-fishing season. Team members include pros Harmon Davis of Marlow, Okla., and Andy Morgan of Dayton, Tenn.
Last month, FLW Outdoors announced its partnership with Ozark Trail, providing the official camping gear of the Wal-Mart FLW Tour. Ozark Trail will soon realize the benefits of sponsoring professional fishing as a way to target a powerful audience of more than 52 million Americans who fish. To enhance its sponsorship program, Ozark Trail’s team members will compete along various FLW Outdoors tournaments trails, including the prestigious FLW Tour and EverStart Series.
“FLW Outdoors has been a great avenue for Wal-Mart and its brands to directly engage our core audience of outdoor enthusiasts,” said Bill Kerr, vice president and divisional merchandise manager of sporting goods for Wal-Mart. “Ozark Trail is our primary camping and outdoor line, which fits right into the demographics of anglers. The fans of professional fishing continue to offer exceptional loyalty, so it really is a win-win situation for us to support Harmon and Andy out on the water.”
Davis, who is in his third season of Wal-Mart FLW Tour competition, has made two appearances at the FLW Tour Championship, the most lucrative bass-fishing championship in the world. He placed second at the championship last year and landed a $75,000 check. His career in FLW Outdoors circuits – including the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, the EverStart Series and the FLW Tour – includes six top-10 finishes and combined winnings of more than $140,000. In 2001, Davis won his first tournament in the EverStart Series Central Division. During the 2004 season, Davis will compete in an Ozark Trail-branded Ranger boat on the FLW Tour.
“I am really excited to be a part of Team Ozark Trail, which is an in-house Wal-Mart brand,” Davis said. “Wal-Mart and FLW Outdoors have done so much for anglers, and I look forward to being a part of professional fishing’s growth. This sponsorship will allow me to spend more time fishing and doing what I love, and for that I am grateful.”
Morgan, who is a veteran of FLW Outdoors tournaments, has four wins and 24 top-10 finishes to his credit. Last year, Morgan won two EverStart Series events – one on Lake Okeechobee and the other on Guntersville Lake – that netted him more than $100,000 in cash and prizes. Morgan also qualified for the FLW Tour Championship last year and finished in 35th place. He will compete in 2004 from an Ozark Trail-branded Stratos boat on two tournament trails: the FLW Tour and the EverStart Series.
“Ozark Trail is a great brand, and I am proud to be a part of its pro team,” Morgan said. “I look forward to being out on the water and being able to promote a high-quality product.”
Named after the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, Forrest L. Wood, FLW Outdoors is the world’s leading marketer of competitive fishing. It administers the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, the world’s most lucrative bass-tournament series; the EverStart Series, the pathway to the Wal-Mart FLW Tour; and the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League for weekend anglers. FLW Outdoors also operates the Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail; the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Tour, the world’s most lucrative walleye-tournament series; and the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye League for weekend anglers.
Wal-Mart and many of America’s most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. Wal-Mart has been the title sponsor of FLW Outdoors since 1997. For a complete list of FLW Outdoors sponsors and for more information about the premier products and services they offer, please visit FLWOutdoors.com’s sponsor page.
For more information about FLW Outdoors, browse the organization’s Web site or call (270) 252-1000.
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