The WBFA Tour announced today that the Classic World Championship of women's bass fishing will be held in Gadsden, Alabama in October of 2005. The top forty-eight women anglers from the currently, only women's professional bass tour, representing 14 states, will compete on Neely Henry Lake for the title of World Champion. The Classic World Championship is slated for Saturday and Sunday October 29th and 30th.
Tournament Director, Willie Cook, stated, "We are very happy to be invited to Gadsden, AL for the Classic World Championship. I cannot think of a better fishery, or a more hospitable city in which to hold this Classic. Mayor Steve Means, Al Murray and Carol Hannah and the entire Parks and Recreation Department crew have always worked hard to make the women welcome and have a very enjoyable event every time the WBFA Tour has visited Gadsden. The people of the Gadsden area always welcome us with open arms and make us feel at home."
The WBFA Tour held its 2000 Classic World Championship in Gadsden, where Sylvia Graham of Valparaiso, IN won. Graham is a qualifier for the upcoming Classic and will be here trying to repeat her accomplishment. The current defending World Champion is Mary DiVincenti from Clinton, LA. Also included in the field of 48 women anglers fishing the 2005 Classic World Championship are 7 past World Champions and 6 past Anglers Of The Year. Two-time, consecutive Champion Judy Wong, two-time Champion and three-time Angler Of The Year Sherrie Brubaker, two-time, consecutive Angler Of The Year Sheri Glasgow, and the current Angler Of The Year Pam Martin-Wells are among the qualifiers for the 2005 Classic World Championship.
"As you can see from the list of qualifiers, this Classic World Championship should prove to be a dramatic and exciting contest of experience, talent and wills. Some of the best bass anglers in the entire country will be here to try and win this coveted title", Cook said.
This Classic will depart from conventional Classics in that it will be held immediately following the WBFA Tour Harvest Moon event, whose competition will be held on Thursday and Friday October 27 & 28 on the same tournament waters. The Classic competition will begin at safe light on Saturday October 29 & 30. Both events will begin at safelight with weigh-ins starting at 3pm at the new Gadsden City Park Launch and Marina.
When asked why the departure from the normal "Classic Week" format, Cook replied, "Due to higher fuel costs, the need to minimize travel time and expense, the need to shorten the time required to be away from home, families and jobs, and still have a viable host community has required us to adjust to the needs of our anglers and staff." I think this decision, though "outside of the box" will prove to be very workable and acceptable to both the Classic Qualifiers and the anglers who follow the regular tour, many of which will be fishing both events", Cook also stated.