Women's Bassmaster Tour Championship

While the 2009 Bassmaster Classic festivities were in full swing in the Bossier-Shreveport area, BASS announced that Bossier-Shreveport and the Red River will host another championship event in 2009: the Academy Sports + Outdoors Women's Bassmaster Tour Championship, set for Oct. 16-18.

The WBT Championship will feature the 20 top anglers from the WBT regular season based on the Toyota Tundra Women's Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year standings. The top 20 co-anglers will also qualify for the event.

The winner on the pro side will receive $10,000 and a boat package valued at $55,000. Additionally, anglers will accrue points to finalize the Angler of the Year race. After the championship, the top angler in the standings will qualify for the 2010 Bassmaster Classic, marking the second time a woman will qualify for the pinnacle event via the Women's Bassmaster Tour.

"We are delighted to host the 2009 Women's Bassmaster Tour Championship in Shreveport-Bossier City," said Mary Ann Tice, executive director of Shreveport Regional Sports Authority. "We look forward to helping elevate the championship and bring as much profile and celebrity to the tournament as the WBT anglers deserve.

The Shreveport Regional Sports Authority has partnered with NW LA Chapter of the Louisiana Restaurant Association to create a "Celebrity Chef and Angler Cooking Demonstrations" event.  The cooking demonstrations will take place on the last day of weigh-ins, Sunday, October 18, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  at the Academy Sports + Outdoors on Airline Drive in Bossier City. 

The final weigh-in will begin at 3:30 p.m. on that day and at that location as well.

"We are excited to bring another Championship-level event to Shreveport-Bossier City," said Tom Ricks, general manager and vice president, BASS. "The region has embraced us and we are grateful for the support."

More information on the Women's Bassmaster Tour Championship can be found at www.Bassmaster.com.