P.A.A. event, Bowdens a natural fit

There's a silver lining to the Professional Anglers Association's decision of postpone its Corporate Cup bass tournament scheduled for Pickwick Lake in September.

Citing conflicts with BASS and FLW Outdoors tournaments this fall, the organization announced the corporate cup event has been rescheduled for June 3-5, 2010.

Not only will the change make it easier for the BASS postseason and FLW Series anglers to work the Florence tournament into their schedules, hopefully the economy will be better next spring. In turn, competitors and visiting fans could have more disposable income to dispense into our local businesses. High-profile fishing tournaments generate sizable amounts of income into our local economy, especially when the visiting anglers and fans have extra cash they are willing to leave here.

The new date also will allow two of our local celebrities to compete.

The corporate cup tournament pairs two pro anglers with two amateurs that compete as a team. When the corporate cup was held on Pickwick Lake in 2008, amateur anglers included sports celebrities like former Alabama and Buffalo Bills star Cornelius Bennett and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Thurman Thomas.

Hopefully, corporate cup organizers will consider inviting University of North Alabama Coach Terry Bowden and his brother, receivers coach Jeff Bowden, to compete in the 2010 tournament. Both are accomplished anglers and have already developed a large base of friends and fans in the Shoals.

Including the Bowden brothers in the tournament would boost the crowd at the weigh-ins and could result in increased media attention.

When the brothers, along with their dad - coaching legend Bobby - and their brother Tommy, staged a series of appearances and events in Florence a few weeks ago, they received national media exposure.

Not only would media attention from outside the Shoals be good for the

Professional Anglers

Association, it would also provide exposure for Pickwick Lake and northwest Alabama.

Hopefully, the UNA coaching duo can work it into their schedule to participate in the corporate cup if the Professional Anglers Association chooses to invite them. It would have been impossible for them to participate in a September tournament when the football season in full-swing, but a June event might be a possible fit for their

schedules.

The tournament organizers will miss a great opportunity if they do not invite the Bowdens to participate.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or

dennis.sherer@TimesDaily.com