Former tour pro John Sappington of Branson, Mo., the 2002 Forrest Wood Cup champion, recently finished 3rd in the 8th annual Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge. The 16 finalists from around the country competed in seven disciplines – fly fishing, bass fishing, rifle, shotgun, endurance, archery and ATV handling – with the winner determined by the best combined score.
Winner Tom Boatwright of Perdido, Ala. took home a $25,000 prize package. Chad Weatherford, the 2010 champion, narrowly edged out Sappington for the runner-up slot.
Sappington, who last fished the FLW Tour in 2008, operates a guide service on Table Rock and Taneycomo lakes. Other pro bass anglers who've competed in the Field & Stream Challenge include Texans Mike Hawkes and Sean Hoernke.
