A highlight during the Women's Bass Fishing Association Classic Week is the banquet announcing the winners of the Amateur of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Angler of the Year for 2003. The announcements were made in Shreveport, Louisiana where the classic weekend is being held. "Our ladies have worked extremely hard and shown great dedication," said Willie Cook, association director. "Three ladies have been able to stay at least one step ahead of the others."
Joan Davis, West Lafayette, Indiana, stepped forward at the banquet to accept the Amateur of the Year for 2003 award. George Braswell, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, made the award lauding Davis' determination and her flexibility to work with each professional angler she shared a boat with. Davis said, "I would not be here if it were not for the pro's I fished with. I learned something from everyone of them."
Gracefully walking to the stage to accept the Rookie of the Year for 2003 award, Debra Petrowski, Arlington, Texas, was humbled by the ovation given her by the other women anglers. The award was presented by Michelle Kilburn, Mercury Marine. Petrowski read her list of those she wished to thank and then warmly said, "I sincerely hope that everyone has a safe championship tournament."
Cook then made the presentation of Angler of the Year to Sheri Glasgow, Muskogee, Oklahoma. She was greeted by a standing ovation. Being a very proud, but humble lady, Galsgow said, "I have learned a lot from all of the ladies on the tour. I have learned techniques, determination, and a secret or two. One important thing I learned is that when fishing in Louisiana, not to run through stationary ducks during duck season."
The events of the week will continue on Wednesday morning with the VIP tournament. Individuals from the Shreveport area will team up with the 37 professional women championship contenders in a short tournament. the individual and their pro can win $1,000.00 that will be presented to a local charity of the VIP's choosing.
Actual tournament fishing will start on Thursday morning at safe daylight. The ladies will head out onto the Red River looking for the pattern which will earn them the title of Champion and a fully rigged Triton Bass boat. Tournament fishing will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday from safe daylight until the weigh-in scales open at 1:00pm. Weigh-ins will be held at the Stoner Street Landing and are open to the public.
On Saturday, there will be a free concert presented by the World's Greatest Fishing Band. There will be free rod and reel combos for many of the children who show up. Fishing tackle will be tossed to the crowd. The events are emceed with the spectators being kept abreast of each angler's position. At the close of the scales on Saturday, the World Champion of Women's Bass Fishing will be named.
The WBFA is the only professional bass fishing trail designed to support women anglers. It is supported by Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Minn Kota trolling Motors, Dekka Marine Batteries, Eidolon Baits, Kick N' Bass Scents, and FlowMaster.