Park rangers & Water Authority to guide paddling adventure on Oct. 22

Lake County park rangers, in cooperation with the Lake County Water Authority, will lead a “Paddling Adventure” on Friday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning at the Astatula Boat Ramp, located at 12703 Florida Ave., Astatula.

Paddlers will explore the Double Run Preserve on Little Lake Harris. At the preserve, participants will discover the beauty of this area while learning about precious freshwater resources and seeing different plants, birds and other wildlife.

The 575-acre Double Run Preserve was purchased by the Lake County Water Authority to protect the historic connection between Lake Apopka and Little Lake Harris. The preserve further protects the hardwood swamp along the shoreline and the spring run.

Suggested items to bring include hat, waterproof shoes, water, snacks, insect repellent and waterproof cameras. Guides can provide participants with canoes or kayaks, life vests and paddles; however, participants are welcome to bring their own canoes and kayaks, life vests and paddles. Participants will be required to sign a liability waiver.

The free “Paddling Adventure” is limited to the first 15 vessels. To make reservations for the paddling adventure or for more information, call the Lake County Water Authority at (352) 343-3777.

For more information on 2010 events planned by the Lake County Department of Public Resources, Parks & Trails Division, check out its annual Events Guide online or request a copy by calling Parks & Trails at (352) 253-4950.

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Podcasts aplenty!

Lake County Tourism & Business Relations recently released editions 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 of its podcast series.

The podcasts help to inform tourists and local visitors about attractions and events in Lake County, Fla. For a complete listing of all podcasts, log on to www.lakecountyfl.gov/enjoying_lake_county/podcasts.aspx.

Melon Patch Theatre

The Melon Patch Theatre is a community theatre located in Leesburg. This year marks its 60th anniversary providing the community with family-friendly theatrical productions such as musicals, comedies and plays. The theatre also has children’s productions under the name of Patchwork Productions, which will be featuring “Babes in Toyland” this season. The theatre will also feature a Christmas show titled “Melon Patch Family Christmas” opening in December 2010. For show schedule and tickets, log on to www.businessmasters.net/melonpatch.

Hansen’s World Wakeboard Center

The center has various training programs to help the competitive rider hone their skills. It caters to both amateurs and professionals with on-site lodging for camps and trainees. For more information, log on to www.worldwakeboardcenter.com.

Fishing Facilities in Lake County

Lake County features more than 1,000 named lakes with great facilities for both anglers and recreational boaters. Explore many different types of fishery habitats during any boating outing. There are also many opportunities to fish from shorelines at various parks, such as Hickory Point Recreational Facility on the Harris Chain of Lakes.

Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire

Go back in time to the 16th century during the Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire scheduled for Nov. 5-7 at Hickory Point Recreational Facility. The event features hundreds of legendary performers, a lively renaissance village, exciting entertainment and one-of-kind experiences from minstrels to jousters. Information about the event and tickets are available at www.lakerenfaire.com.

16th Annual Mount Dora Plant and Garden Fair

The Mount Dora Plant and Garden Fair is an annual event featuring an array of more than 12,000 flowers and plants. The festival is located Gilbert Park and is scheduled for Nov. 6. Admission is free. For more information, contact Christine Cole at (352) 729-2170.

4th Annual Veterans Salute Ride

Join in the fun and be part of a great Veterans’ Day tribute to those that serve and have served our country. The 4th Annual Veterans Salute, held on Nov. 6, honors all U.S. veterans and benefits the Disabled American Veterans organization. The event will begin at 10 a.m. at Gator Harley-Davidson in Leesburg with breakfast and various organizations. With a police-escorted ride to Stormy Hill Harley-Davidson, the festivities continue with a live auction and lunch. For event details and a line-up of the day’s activities, visit www.gatorharley.com

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Bicyclists gear up for annual festival

Attracting more than a thousand cyclists, the 36^th Annual Mount Dora Bicycle Festival, scheduled for Oct. 8-10, is Florida’s oldest and largest bicycling event.

With rides of varying lengths and skill levels, cyclists of all ages come visit Mount Dora each year to tour the rolling countryside of Lake County. The first ride is on Friday, Oct. 8, at 8 a.m. First rides on Saturday, Oct. 9, and Sunday, Oct. 10, are at 7:30 a.m.

According to the Mount Dora Chamber of Commerce Web site at www.mountdora.com/bikefest/, this year’s event promises to be the best yet as the City is celebrating its centennial. The Mount Dora Bicycle Festival takes full advantage of the roads and scenery of Lake County, which is recognized as one of the finest locations in the state and the country to ride. It’s no coincidence that collegiate and pro level cyclists and tri-athletes choose to train here.

As in previous years, this year’s event will feature rides from 5 to 100 miles in length, with options for all skill levels. Below is a schedule of rides. For more information, call the Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce at (352) 383-2165 or log on to www.mountdora.com.

Unmarked “on your own” rides with maps available in the baggage room at registration area:

• Lake Dora Loop 24.2 miles
• Lake Gertrude Ride 5.1 miles
• Renninger’s Antiques & Flea Market Ride 4 miles

FRIDAY, OCT. 8

• 8 a.m. — Emeralda Marsh Madness (47 miles) Scenic ride with some rolling hills.
• 9:30 a.m. — Clearwater Lake Picnic Ride (45 miles) Generally flat ride to the Ocala National Forest for a picnic
• 10 a.m. — Thrill Hill (18 miles) Ride through rural countryside with a few gently rolling hills and roller coaster thrill hill.
• 10:30 a.m. — Mission Inn Brunch ride; (42 miles) additional fee required for the meal
• 1 p.m. — Ray’s Round Lake Ride (21 miles) A country ride past nurseries & horse farms.
• 2 p.m. — I Climbed Mount Dora (12 miles) Short ride with lots of hills. See why we call it Mount Dora!.
• 2:30 p.m. — Trimble Park (5 miles) An easy bike ride

SATURDAY, OCT. 9

• 7:30 a.m. — CPR Century (100 miles) A scenic century that rolls through rural farm lands in northern lake before heading south into the hills.
• 7:50 a.m. — Emeralda Island Wander (62 miles) Metric century that follows northern part of the Century. Returns to home before the hills.
• 9 a.m. — Yalaha Bakery Ride (55 miles) Ride to an incredible German bakery. Work off your pastries on way back.
• 9:30 a.m. — King’s Landing Ride and canoeing (29.8 miles) A country ride past nurseries & horse farms to Kelly Park. (additional fee for canoe)
• 10 a.m. — Sun Cycle/Trek Bicycle Breast Cancer Awareness Ride; Separate fee donation to participate in this ride. May sign up the day of the event.
• 10:30 a.m. — I Climbed Mount Dora (12 miles) Short ride with lots of hills. See why we call it Mount Dora!
• 1 p.m. — Ray’s Round Lake Ride (21 miles) A country ride past nurseries & horse farms.
• 1:30 p.m. — Scott’s Farm Corn maize (14 miles) Ride out to the farm and have a snack, then tour the corn maize.
• 2 p.m. — Mystery Dessert Ride (4 miles) Family ride with desert is on us.
• 3 p.m. — Poker Ride to the Mount Dora Brewery (5 miles) Limited to first 52 riders. Best hand wins.

SUNDAY, OCT. 10

• 8 a.m. — Battle of Buckhill (61 miles) A challenging ride through the Clermont hills Buckhill, Grassy Lake and the backside of Sugarloaf.
• 8:30 a.m. — Assault on Sugarloaf (40 miles) A flat ride until you have to tackle Sugarloaf and “The Wall” two of the most challenging hills in Florida.
• 9 a.m. — Ray’s Round Lake Ride (21 miles) A country ride past nurseries & horse farms.
• 9:30 a.m. — Thrill Hill (18 miles) Ride through rural countryside with a few gently rolling hills and roller coaster thrill hill.
• 10 a.m. Scott’s Farm Corn maize (14 miles) Ride out to the farm and have a snack, then tour the corn maize.

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Mission Inn readies for college & junior golf tournaments

Mission Inn Resort & Club’s two golf courses attract vacationers, corporate functions and golf tournaments, including two upcoming tourneys — 2010 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Fall Preview and Montverde Academy Junior All-Star Invitational.

Mission Inn’s El Campeon is the third oldest golf course in the state. By featuring water on 13 of 18 holes and rare 85-foot elevation changes, the course ranks in the Top 10 in the state, according to Florida Golfing News. Along with the Las Colinas (The Hills) course, which is noted for its large, undulating fairways and greens, the two courses make for outstanding tournament play.

Below are two news releases about the upcoming golf tournaments at Mission Inn Resort & Club:

Top-notch women golfers to tee off at Mission Inn Resort & Club for Fall Preview

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS — In partnership with the Central Florida Sports Commission, Mission Inn Resort & Club will be welcoming back women’s golf teams from NCAA Division III on Sept. 26-27 for a fall preview.

Oglethorpe University of Atlanta is hosting the tournament at Mission Inn Resort & Club, located at 10400 County Road 48 in Howey-in-the-Hills. The public is encouraged to attend the 2010 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Fall Preview, as admission is free.

In addition to Oglethorpe University, teams participating in the Fall Preview include Methodist University of Fayetteville, N.C., St. Mary’s College of Notre Dame, Ind., Allegheny College of Meadville, Pa., Piedmont College of Demorest, Ga., Birmingham Southern College of Birmingham, Ala., Berry College of Mount Berry, Ga., Wartburg College of Waverly, Iowa, Rhodes College of Memphis, Tenn., and Illinois Wesleyan University of Bloomington, Ill.

“These teams will be playing to get a preview of Mission Inn’s challenging golf courses, in advance of the Division III Women’s Golf National Championship scheduled for May 2011,” said Kristina Cullison, Director of Marketing & Public Relations at Mission Inn.

For the 14th consecutive year, Mission Inn will be hosting a NCAA golf championship with the 2011 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championships.

“The 14 consecutive NCAA golf championships that Lake County and the Mission Inn Resort & Club has hosted is truly a remarkable feat,” said Sam Stark, President of the Central Florida Sports Commission. “We are honored to be part of this tradition, and we know the golfers will have a great time getting a sneak peak at the course they will be crowning their champion on next May.”

For more information about the 2010 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championships, call Jon Baran, Lake County Marketing Manager at the Central Florida Sports Commission, at 407-648-4900 ext. 21, e-mail jbaran@centralfloridasports.org or log on to www.lakecountysports.org. For more information about Lake County vacations, call (800) 430-LAKE, log on to www.lakecountyfl.com or visit the Welcome Center, located at 20763 U.S. Highway 27 in Groveland.

Montverde Academy Junior All-Star Invitational to be Held Oct. 8-11
Mission Inn Resort & Club to host 78 top junior golfersBRASELTON, Ga. – The American Junior Golf Association is pleased to announce the Montverde Academy Junior All-Star Invitational will be held for a second consecutive year at Mission Inn Resort & Club Oct. 8-11, 2010. The tournament field boasts 78 junior golfers from across the country.

Conducted by the AJGA, the Montverde Academy Junior All-Star Invitational is the culmination of 10 events in the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy Junior All-Star Series. Specifically designed for boys and girls ages 12-15, the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy Junior All-Star Series presents opportunities for younger players to develop their skills and earn entry into AJGA Open tournaments. The Montverde Academy Junior All-Star Invitational is reserved for winners and top finishers in Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy Junior All-Star Series events.

In 2009, Alex Lloyd of Virginia Beach, Va., captured the championship in the Boys Division. He bested the field by two strokes en route to his first AJGA victory. In the Girls Division, Sierra Sims of Austin, Texas, led wire-to-wire and recorded a seven-shot win.

A practice round will be held Friday, October 8 with a 1:30 p.m. shotgun start. Tournament play will be Saturday, October 9 through Monday, October 11, with tee times running off the Nos. 1 and 10 tees from 8:30-10:18 a.m. each day. An awards ceremony will immediately follow final-round play. Admission is free of charge and guests are welcome to attend.

Founded in 1912, Montverde Academy is an independent college
preparatory school located in Montverde, Florida. The Academy prepares
junior golfers, student athletes and students from across the world with world-class academics and nationally-recognized athletic programs.

Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy, a full-time signature golf instruction program located in Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla., began as an Official Partner of the AJGA in 2009. The partnership features an endowment of an Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant and the naming rights to the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy Junior All-Star Series.

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The AJGA provides valuable exposure for college golf scholarships, and has an annual junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 49 states and 30 countries. To ensure scholarship opportunities for all junior golfers who have the skill, the AJGA created the Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program to provide financial assistance to young players in need.

Titleist, the AJGA’s National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association’s success since 1989. Rolex Watch USA, which is in its third decade of AJGA support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004. In 2007, after 12 years of support, Polo Ralph Lauren became the AJGA’s second Premier Partner.

AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. Former AJGA juniors have compiled more than 400 victories on the PGA and LPGA Tours. AJGA alumni include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Stewart Cink, Cristie Kerr, Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel.

For more information, please contact Ashley O’Dell (aodell@ajga.org) in the AJGA Communications Department at (678) 425-1787 or visit the AJGA website at www.ajga.org.

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New podcasts trumpet upcoming events

Editions 27 and 28 of the podcast series by Lake County Tourism & Business Relations launched this week.

The podcasts help to inform tourists and local visitors about attractions and events in Lake County, Fla. For a complete listing of all podcasts, log on to www.lakecountyfl.gov/enjoying_lake_county/podcasts.aspx.

2010 Lake County Folk Festival

Lake County Folk Festival is a free two-day, family-friendly festival of traditional and original music featuring Celtic, bluegrass, gospel, jazz and more.

The Festival is held on the second weekend of October each year in businesses located in downtown Eustis and Ferran Park located on Lake Eustis. The 2010 Lake County Folk Festival is scheduled for Oct. 9-10. For more information, log on to www.lakecountyfolkfest.com.

Birds and Bicycles

On Saturday, Oct. 23, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. enjoy a natural adventure at Emeralda Marsh, one of the most beautiful preserves in all of Florida.

The event, hosted by the Trout Lake Nature Center and Lake County Parks & Trails, encourages participants to bicycle, walk or hop on a hayride on the 6 miles of levees throughout this natural land. Stationed birders, biologist, naturalist and working artists, will inform and inspire participants. For more information, call (352) 357-7536, e-mail silvernell@lcia.com or log on to www.troutlakenature.org.

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New edition of online magazine features Lake County tourism spots

The newest edition of Hometown Highlights is available online for travel writers and tourists interested in learning more about Lake County, Fla.

From Central Florida’s first dog bakery, to an up-and-coming pub that is brewing success, there’s plenty to do and see in Lake County. The online magazine Hometown Highlights provides insight to some of the most best-kept secrets in Lake County. Four new articles were recently introduced to the online feature at www.lakecountyfl.com/hometown_highlights/. The following excerpts are from each new article.

Mount Dora Brewing & Rocking Rabbit Brewery— What happens when a master woodworker hangs up his hammer and unplugs his lathe? Naturally, the skilled artisan tries his hand creating other works of art. Instead of refinishing antiques, these days Jeff Herbst, owner of Mount Dora Brewing and Rocking Rabbit Brewery, is perfecting the finish on his collection of handcrafted ales.

Piglet’s Pantry —When your furry companion needs a cookie break, “paws” at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Donnelly Street in downtown Mount Dora and gaze upon the largest selection of all-natural, homemade dog treats in the southeast. Piglet’s Pantry started inconspicuously enough: Carla and Edson Pereira were searching for something to satisfy their finicky canine, Piglet.

The Gourmet Spot — To achieve perfection in a meal, one must start with fine ingredients. Consider The Gourmet Spot in downtown Mount Dora as a good place to start when searching for the best of specialty food products. Owner Trish Morgan explains what makes the products in her store gourmet is the quality of ingredients that are used, how they are prepared in small batches and, most importantly, their handcrafted taste is packed full of flavor.

The Drawer Ltd. — While the world of fashion is always changing, one constant in trendy styles is at The Drawer Ltd. in downtown Mount Dora. For 41 years, those interested in the latest style have frequented The Drawer Ltd. The shop began as a needlepoint shop, but through the decades has evolved into an all-encompassing shop of chic threads, jewelry and beauty products.

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200 teens to swing for the fences at Babe Ruth state tournament

The City of Tavares is preparing to host the 14-under Florida Babe Ruth Baseball State Tournament from Thursday, July 22, to Sunday, July 25, at the Fred Stover Sports Complex, located at 490 E. Clifford St. in Tavares, and the North Lake Community Park, located at 40430 Roger Giles Road in Umatilla.

“This is the first year we have done this tournament, but we have hosted other large baseball tournaments before,” said Scott Aldrich, Recreation Project Manager for the City of Tavares. “We are basically doing two tournaments in one: a north division at North Lake Community Park and a south division at Fred Stover Sports Complex.”

The winners in both divisions will move on to the Babe Ruth Baseball Regional Tournament being held in Demopolis, Ala., during the first week of August. Winners of the regional tournament have a chance to compete nationally at the Babe Ruth World Series in Purcellville, Va. The state tournament is double elimination with each team playing at least two games. Admission is free to the public at both complexes.

The 14-under Florida Babe Ruth Baseball State Tournament includes 13 teams from all over the state, including a local Tavares team, which won its district tournament on June 19 to advance to state play. Game times begin each day at 9:30 a.m. and the Tavares team will play its first game on Thursday at 12 p.m. Players on the Tavares team include Austin Baskette, Austin Clayton, Phillip Cooper, Wesley Danielson, Zachary Davis, Kyle Fowler, Anthony Holguin, Garrett Payne, Connor Urbon, Dalton Wells, Josh Wicker and Cory Lonsdale.

“As far as Babe Ruth goes, this is the fourth time that Tavares has earned its way into the state,” said Wade Payne, who manages the team with assistant coaches Artie Baskette and Marv Danielson. “The 13-under and the 14-under teams both won their way into the state this year. The 13-under team will play in the state tournament in Jupiter, Fla., during the same weekend.”

While several teams participating in the 14-under Florida Babe Ruth Baseball State Tournament are located nearby, such as Ocala, Longwood and Palatka, others from Jacksonville, Sarasota and Tallahassee will need to stay overnight at local accommodations.

“Many area hotels are already booked for the event,” said Greg Mihalic, Director of Lake County Tourism & Business Relations. “With sporting events, the entire area benefits as these players, coaches and families will be staying in local accommodations, shopping at stores and eating at area restaurants.”

For more information about the 14-under Florida Babe Ruth Baseball State Tournament, call Scott Aldrich at (352) 742-6477 or e-mail saldrich@tavares.org. For more information about Lake County vacations, call (800) 430-LAKE, log on to www.lakecountyfl.com or visit the Welcome Center, located at 20763 U.S. Highway 27 in Groveland.

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GOOAAAAL!: Soccer tourney to kick start summer tourism season

With World Cup fever sweeping the country, Lake County is preparing to feel its own excitement on the pitch when hundreds of players of all ages compete in the inaugural Lake County PAL 3v3 Challenge on July 10-11 at Hickory Point Park in Tavares for one last chance to qualify for the National Championship at Walt Disney World.

“Sporting events are like mini-booms in business for local hotels and restaurants,” said Debi Dyer, Tourism Specialist with Lake County Tourism & Business Relations. “This event, in particular, is drawing teams from across the state and even internationally.”

According to event organizers, 3v3 soccer is one of the fastest growing types of soccer in the world. With only three players on each side, the game is faster paced on a smaller field with smaller goals, but no goalies. The Lake County PAL 3v3 Challenge is hosted by the Lake County Soccer Club Fundraiser for the Police Athletic Club and is organized by Florida Challenge Sports Events, Inc. It is open to ages 6 and up and teams are guaranteed a minimum of four games.

“It’s an additional event to our list of more than seven dozen tournaments, which are held year round and throughout the country,” said Mary Ann Genchi, Director of Marketing & Hospitality for Challenge Sports. “Since teams play multiple games in a day, it’s a lot like a festival atmosphere. The soccer families will come and set up their tents and basically camp out for the day.”

With teams committed from as far away as Denmark, the excitement surrounding the first-ever Lake County PAL 3v3 Challenge at Hickory Point Park, located at 27343 State Road 19, is it’s the last qualifier for the 3v3 Challenge Nationals on July 29-Aug. 1 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World. The top four teams in each division at the PAL 3v3 Challenge qualify for Nationals. Individual awards are given to the first three teams in each division and players age 10 and younger get individual awards.

The host hotel for the soccer tournament is Mission Inn Resort & Club, located at 10400 County Road 48 in Howey-in-the-Hills. Nicker’s restaurant at Mission Inn is hosting a viewing party for the World Cup soccer final on Sunday, July 11, at 1 p.m.

For more information about the Lake County PAL 3v3 Challenge on July 10-11, including directions on how to register a team, log on to www.challengesports.com, e-mail 3v3@challengesports.com or call (321) 676-1373. For more information about Lake County vacations, call (800) 430-LAKE, log on to www.lakecountyfl.com or visit the Welcome Center, located at 20763 U.S. Highway 27 in Groveland.

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BASS announces 2011 schedule; Tavares to host Sunshine Showdown in March

Last week, BASS announced the 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series Schedule with a kick off event in Tavares and the Harris Chain of Lakes on March 10-13.

The news release from BASS is below:

June 16, 2010

BASS Announces 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series Schedule, including Three First-Time Venues

BASS unveiled the 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series regular-season schedule Wednesday. The most prestigious level of tournament fishing will kick off near BASS headquarters with consecutive events in Florida and will come full circle for the conclusion in Alabama, BASS’ birthplace. In between, the circuit will visit three fisheries – St. Johns River, Toledo Bend and West Point Lake –  that will host their first Elite Series event. 

“It’s exciting to bring the Elite Series to new communities and expose the most prestigious level of tournament bass fishing to new fans and BASS members,” said Tom Ricks, vice president and general manager, BASS. “We appreciate the support of the outstanding communities that are involved with BASS events.”

In February, BASS announced the dates for the 2011 Bassmaster Classic: Feb. 18-20, out of New Orleans. The Super Bowl of bass fishing will kick off the BASS season and usher in ESPN2’s coverage of BASS in 2011. As with past years, each Elite Series event will receive one hour of television coverage on ESPN2’s The Bassmasters.

Additionally, Bassmaster.com will continue to define tournament coverage with their devotion to new technologies such as BassCam, BassCast and BassTrakk, as well as expansive traditional coverage with photo galleries and analysis. ESPN3.com will serve as the home for live, streaming coverage of Bassmaster Elite Series weigh-ins.

The 2011 season gets rolling on two Sunshine State fisheries, with the Elite season opener set for the Harris Chain of Lakes. The Sunshine Showdown will be held March 10-13 in Tavares, Fla., and will mark the Elite Series’ second visit to the Harris Chain.

The waterway, which has featured some compelling storylines during Elite competition, includes six lakes and three tributaries and has rich shoreline vegetation. In March 2008, the last event held there, Mike McClelland toted 59 pounds, 2 ounces, to the scales to best Brian Snowden in a come-from-behind thriller.

Next, anglers will head north to Palatka, Fla., for the March 17-20 Citrus Slam on the St. Johns River. The St. Johns has been a popular BASS tournament fishery in the past – it has hosted 16 events — but has yet to host an Elite event. The last event, a 2008 Bassmaster Southern Open, was won by Elite Series pro Peter Thliveros of St. Augustine, Fla., with a three-day total of 55 pounds, 3 ounces. Thliveros also scored a victory on the Harris Chain in 2005. 

Florida’s longest river holds big largemouth bass and a variety of saltwater species, which tend to group with the bass. In addition to Thliveros, fellow Elite pro Terry Scroggins of nearby San Mateo will be a tournament favorite.

From Florida, the Elites will take a three-week break before heating up again at Pickwick Lake out of Florence, Ala. The April 6-9 Alabama Charge will be Pickwick’s second consecutive Elite event.

During the 2010 Elite Series regular season, Kevin Short of Mayflower, Ark., worked Pickwick for 75 pounds, 1 ounce, to score his second career Elite victory. Pickwick showed what it’s capable of on the final day of competition as Short smashed a 23-pound, 5-ounce, limit despite a weather-shortened day.  During that tournament, Pickwick became the first fishery in Elite competition to surrender a limit to anglers during all competition days.

From Pickwick, Elite anglers will travel southwest to Toledo Bend, another fishery that BASS helped put on the map. The Battle on the Bayou, set for April 14-17 from Many, La.,, will tally the 13^th time BASS has visited the Bend. The last event, a 2009 Central Open, produced a rare tie after the conclusion of the three-day event.  In the ensuing fish-off on the following day, Elite pro James Niggemeyer of Van, Texas, claimed victory, which helped him to qualify for the 2010 Bassmaster Classic.

Next, anglers will trek to the Peach State on May 5-8 and compete on West Point Lake out of LaGrange, Ga.  West Point has never hosted an Elite event, despite having served previously as tournament waters for one Bassmaster Open and four Invitationals. The Open was the last BASS event there, in 2005, and Elite pro Mark Menendez took top honors with a three-day total of 36 pounds, 14 ounces.

Surrounded by deep forests and rolling fields, West Point Lake extends 35 miles along the Chattahoochee River on the Alabama-Georgia state line. The lake’s 525 miles of shoreline provide excellent opportunities for good-sized largemouth.

After West Point, anglers will head May 12-15 to Columbia, S.C., and Lake Murray, which served as the fishery for a 2008 Elite Series event. Fred Roumbanis of Bixby, Okla., won that tournament with a four-day weight of 66 pounds, 13 ounces. 

Impounded in the 1930s, Lake Murray is a top fishing destination in the Southeastern U.S. and has been the site of eight previous BASS events. The Palmetto State fishery provides opportunities for a topwater slugfest, and anglers often compare it to Georgia/South Carolina’s Clarks Hill Lake, a frequent stop on the Elites.

From South Carolina, anglers head to the Arkansas River and Little Rock, Ark., on June 9-12 for the Diamond Drive.  The Bassmaster Legends, a 2006 Elite-level event also out of Little Rock, produced a winning weight of 34 pounds, 9 ounces, for Arkansan and Elite Series pro Scott Rook.

To wrap up the 2011 Elite Series season on June 16-19, anglers will head to the second Tennessee Valley Authority fishery on the schedule in Wheeler Lake.  The Dixie Duel, held out of Decatur, Ala., will serve as tournament waters for the finale, which will determine qualifiers for the Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason and Bassmaster Classic. 

Wheeler has hosted eight BASS events, with the previous Elite Series event occurring in April 2009.  While anglers will hit the fishery at a different time of year in 2011, Wheeler should provide for a tight battle.  Tommy Biffle of Waggoner, Okla., won the 2009 event with a weather-shortened three-day total of 50-13.

After the completion of the 2011 regular season, the top 12 in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings will qualify for the third annual Bassmaster Elite Series Postseason. The location for the 2011 postseason will be announced at a later date.

Thus far for the 2010 season, the Bassmaster Classic and the Bassmaster Elite Series have generated 17 percent more visits from users and 16 percent more average time spent on Bassmaster.com. The streaming video of the weigh-ins on ESPN3.com have produced an increase of 252 percent in terms of unique users.

The entire pro roster for the 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series will be released in early 2011, when all qualifications are realized.

On the heels of another successful season of the Bassmaster Elite Series Marshal program, BASS will open registration for 2011 Marshals in January. BASS Federation Nation, Life and Insider members will all be eligible for priority registration for the eight regular-season events beginning at 9 a.m. ET Jan. 4 . On Jan. 11, all BASS members can register at 9 a.m. ET.  Interested parties can call 1-877-BASS-USA to register. 

For more information, contact BASS Communications at 407-566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit ESPNOutdoorsMedia.com for ESPN Outdoors’ latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video, audio clips and more.

2011 Bassmaster Elite Series Schedule

Date	Event	Fishery	Host City
March 10-13	Sunshine Showdown	Harris Chain	Tavares, Fla.
March 17-20	Citrus Slam	St. John’s River	Palatka, Fla.
*April 6-9	Alabama Charge	Pickwick Lake	Florence, Ala.
April 14-17	Battle on the Bayou	Toledo Bend	Many, La.
May 5-8	Pride of Georgia	West Point Lake	LaGrange, Ga.
May 12-15	Carolina Clash	Lake Murray	Columbia, S.C.
June 9-12	Diamond Drive	Arkansas River	Little Rock, Ark.
June 16-19	Dixie Duel	Wheeler Lake	Decatur, Ala.

* Wednesday-Saturday event

Bassmaster Elite Series Official Sponsors: Toyota, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Skeeter and Yamaha

Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors: Lowrance, Triton Boats, Nitro Boats, Bass Pro Shops and Ramada.

About BASS

For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing.  The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and its expansive tournament structure while championing efforts to connect directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.

The Bassmaster brand and its considerable multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer; comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com, ESPNOutdoors.com and ESPN360.com, and ESPN2 television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.

BASS oversees the prestigious Bassmaster Tournament Trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, BASS Federation Nation and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.

BASS offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

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Pro wave riders return to Tavares

The Pro Hydro-X Tour returns to Tavares this week after hosting its tour opener on May 8-9.

I got a chance to talk to event organizer Mike Young last week as he was departing Myrtle Beach for the APBA National Tour/SunFun Fest.

He said this second stop in Tavares will feature many of the same riders from the opening round of the Pro Hydro-X Tour; however, spectators can expect to see some new faces. The reason for the increased participation in this week’s event is it is the Florida State Championships.

Mike also noted that his first stop in Tavares was extremely successful as he received interest from a local movie producer about showcasing the Pro Hydro-X Tour.

Below is a news release from the City of Tavares:

M E D I A R E L E A S E

PRO HYDRO-X JET SKI RACES

For Immediate Release:

Date: June 14, 2010

Contact: Bill Neron, Economic Development

Phone: 352-742-6402

Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!

The Pro Hydro-X Tour, presented by Sea Doo, returns to America’s 1st Seaplane City: Tavares, FL, on June 19th and 20th at Wooten Park for the Florida State Championships.

The event will feature Closed Course racing and Freestyle, and an Endurance race on Sunday. Some of the USA’s top racer’s will be in attendance, including former National and World Champions’ Eric Lagopoulis from the Sea Doo X-Team, Ryan Hardwick from Mountain Motorsports, and Dustin Farthing of Team Kawasaki.

Three time USA National Freestyle Champion, Jason Stoyer of Team X-Scream will also be on hand calling the action and wowing the crowd with his Freestyle antics. Tyler Smith, the Slippery, “Racer of the Week” , from Mulberry, Florida, will also be in attendance racing in the highly-competitive Junior Classes.

The races will begin at 10am on Saturday and Sunday and will finish around 4pm on both days. Freestyle will be at 1pm both days. There will be a racers party at Al’s Landing after the race on Saturday.

This event is sponsored by the City of Tavares, Lake County, Sea Doo, HydroTurf, Blowsion, X-Scream, Mountain Motorsports, Exotic Signs, RIVA Racing, Ronnymac.com, Waveridersonline.com, and Slippery. Registration can be done online at pwcfun.com and going the Pro Hydro-X site.

The host hotel is the Holiday Inn and a special racer rate of $75 can be had by using the code “H2Y”. Tuesday, June 15th, is the last day for early registration for racers. There will be registration on site and APBA memberships will be available. Admission is free, remember to bring a lawn chair and tanning butter, see you there!!!

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