National Champion Fisherman Michael Bennett
CALIFORNIAN WINS FLW CUP FISHING TOURNAMENT
COLUMBIA, SC…Twenty four year old Michael Bennett of California was crowned champion of the FLW Cup Tournament held at Lake Murray August 14-17 and awarded the $1 million grand prize. He was the youngest winner in the Forrest L.Wood Cup history. The presentation was made at the final spectacular Weigh-in Ceremony at the Colonial Center on Sunday evening.
A daily weigh-in was held in concert with a gigantic Fishing Exhibition which filled the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center and adjacent parking area. Thousands from throughout the state and nation attended the event each day.
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Forrest L. Wood and State FFA President Flint Holbrook. |
The SC FFA Association had an attractive and informative display which featured the state FFA officer team, the state FFA stars and the top three FFA chapters in the state for 2008. Hundreds of visitors stopped by the display to receive and enjoy a fresh South Carolina peach. In addition to the general public, FFA alumni from a number of states visited with the officers and other FFA members who assisted at the display.
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All FFA members and their guests were presented VIP passes for the final weigh-in event on Sunday and were seated near the stage where the action took place. Many of them, including some of the state officers were shown on TV news reports later in the evening. An FLW Outdoors official recognized SC FFA members to a full house He also announced that the Pelion chapter was the recipient of an expense-paid trip to the up-coming National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, sponsored by John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the FFA association.. The Pelion chapter registered the largest number of FFA members and guests at the FFA exhibit during the four-day event.
FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest tournament organization in the world. In 2008 alone, the organization is offering more than 90,000 anglers the chance to win more than $40 million through 230 tournaments in ten circuits.
State FFA President Flint Holbrook had an opportunity to meet Mr. Wood on Sunday evening before the opening ceremony of the weigh-in at the Colonial Center.
Other state FFA officers who attended the event and assisted at the FFA display included Caroline Sherard, Will Amick, Adam Gore and Matthew Adams.
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| State FFA Officers Flint Holbrook (left) with Adam Gore, Matthew Adams and Caroline Sherard check out the peaches that were being distributed to visitors. |
The 2008 National Angler of the Year David Dudley of Lynchburg, Virginia (left) with State FFA Vice President Matthew Adams and State FFA Secretary Adam Gore. |
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| Seated from left are State FFA Officers Caroline Sherard and Adam Gore. Standing from left are Scott Ellison, an official with FLW Outdoors, State FFA Officers Flint Holbrook and Matthew Adams. John W. Parris is at right. |
State FFA Officer Will Amick (left) with the Tiger and other State Officers Flint Holbrook and Adam Gore. |
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| State FFA Vice President Will Amick tests one of the larger grass mowers on display. |
State FFA Officers Adam Gore, Flint Holbrook and Caroline Sherard check out the High Ropes display provided by the SC National Guard. |
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| State FFA Officers Adam Gore and Flint Holbrook looking over one of the large boat motors on display at the FLW Cup Exhibition. |
State FFA Officers Matthew Adams and Adam Gore take over the National Guard helicopter as two National Guard officials look on. |