Bassmaster Elite Series pro Tim Horton will lend his name to a no-entry-fee tournament open to all high school bass clubs in his home state of Alabama and offering scholarship monies to the winning teams. The Timmy Horton High School Bass Anglers Championship will be held at Pickwick Lake on May 18, 2013.
The tournament will be sponsored by the Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau.
“Our plans are to allow each club (there are currently 46 in the state) to send teams to the tournament," Horton said. "Scholarship money will be awarded in two age categories – grades 7 through 9 and grades 10 through 12. This is the first statewide high school club tournament we know of that will pay out scholarship monies.
"The event is also going to be televised, which is a huge plus for the students to showcase their skills. Also, what an opportunity it is to compete in an event and know these anglers have a chance to help continue their education. It doesn't get any better than that.”
During the 2010 Alabama Legislative Session, Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow introduced a bill that was subsequently signed by Gov. Bob Riley to create the Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association.
Said Morrow: “I just want to thank the Colbert County Tourism office and bass pro angler Tim Horton, who have joined together in a partnership to put this tournament together. This should help tremendously in bringing attention to the prolific fishing opportunities that Alabama, and especially north Alabama, has to offer.
"Fishing is a sport that both boys and girls can participate in while having fun and while taking advantage of our great outdoors. We invite the Alabama Athletic Association to join with us to promote this event throughout the state."
For more information about the tournament, go to www.ColbertCountryTourism.org or www.FishPickwickLake.com.
