{"id":589,"date":"2009-01-30T10:51:36","date_gmt":"2009-01-30T16:51:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/broadcast.branson.com\/?p=589"},"modified":"2009-01-30T10:51:36","modified_gmt":"2009-01-30T16:51:36","slug":"central-pro-am-has-new-owner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/broadcast.branson.com\/2009\/01\/30\/central-pro-am-has-new-owner\/","title":{"rendered":"Central Pro-Am has new owner"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Central Pro-Am Tournament Association has been acquired by longtime competitive bass fisherman and local businessman Jim Thompson.<\/p>\n
“Some of the best fishermen you see on TV got their start with the Central Pro-Am.” Thompson said. “We are a step below the big tournaments like B.A.S.S. and FLW; they are great circuits, as well.”<\/p>\n
Central Pro-Am tournaments pair up professional bass fishermen with amateurs for a one-day tournament. They compete separately, making for a learning experience for the amateur.<\/p>\n
“The amateur gets an opportunity to spend a whole day on a pro’s boat and gets to compete in his own division,” Thompson said. “It’s a great way to get a day’s education on bass fishing.”<\/p>\n
On the second day, anglers compete in a team tournament.<\/p>\n
Thompson said there will be three guaranteed $10,000 team tournaments sponsored by Skeeter Boats and Yamaha Motors. The $10,000 guaranteed first-place prize will be awarded regardless of the number of boats entered.<\/p>\n
Central Pro-Am will hold a total of six tournaments this season in Missouri and Arkansas, with stops on Beaver, Lake of the Ozarks, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, Truman and Stockton lakes.<\/p>\n
“As the fishermen compete during the year, they are awarded points based on the place they finished out of 150 entries, if we have a full field,” Thompson said. “The top 40 pros with the highest number of points will compete in the Pro-Am championship along with the top 40 amateurs.”<\/p>\n
Like other big-name bass tournaments, Thompson said Central Pro-Am will draw a big crowd to Branson.<\/p>\n
“It’s a big deal for the fishing industry, for Branson and the Table Rock Lake area. A lot of people will show up for the tournament and bring their families and spend a lot of money,” he said.<\/p>\n
Anyone interested in joining the Central Pro-Am Tournament Association may call (417) 335-5075 or visit centralpro-am.com.<\/p>\n