McDowell masters Wal-Mart BFL Ozark Division tournament

Pro Terry McDowell of Cameron won the BFL Ozark Division's second regular-season stop, held April 12 on Lake of the Ozarks near Laurie. Angler: Terry McDowell.

April 12, 2003 • MLF • Archives

LAURIE, Mo. – Terry McDowell of Cameron claimed $5,000 as the winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Ozark Division’s second regular-season stop, held Saturday on Lake of the Ozarks near Laurie. McDowell led the field of 201 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 15 pounds, 15 ounces.

Rounding out the top five boaters are Toby Hartsell of Livingston, Texas (five bass, 15 pounds, 1 ounce, $2,500); Shane Voyles of Blue Springs (five bass, 14 pounds, 2 ounces, $1,700); Andre Dickneite of Freeburg (five bass, 14 pounds, $1,300); and Kurt Evans of Hardy, Ark. (five bass, 12 pounds, 15 ounces, $1,100).

Evans claimed a $500 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.

John McVeigh of Maryland Heights topped 194 Co-angler Division competitors with a five-bass catch weighing 11 pounds, 11 ounces. McVeigh earned $2,443 for the win.

Joe Verhaar Jr. of Joplin finished second with five bass that weighed 10 pounds, 8 ounces worth $1,221. Finishing third was Timothy Vieth of Union with three bass weighing 9 pounds, 11 ounces that earned him $830. Tied for fourth place were Kevin Harp of Huntsville, Ark. (two bass, 7 pounds, 13 ounces) and Gary Cook of Nixa (three bass, 7 pounds, 13 ounces). Both earned $586.

Jerry Snider of Reed Spring earned boater big-bass honors and $1,000 with a 5-pound, 14-ounce bass, and Steve Coffell of Hazelwood earned co-angler big-bass honors and $485 in his division with a 6-pound, 6-ounce bass.

The Ozark Division will make its third regular-season stop May 10 on Table Rock Lake in Kimberling followed by an event on Truman Lake in Clinton June 28. The final regular-season event, a two-day Super Tournament, will be held Sept. 13-14 on Table Rock Lake in Kimberling City. Following the regular season, the boater with the most points will be declared the Yamaha “Be the Best” points leader and awarded $1,000. The co-angler with the most points following the regular season will earn $500.

The top 30 Ozark Division boaters and co-anglers will advance to regional competition Oct. 14-18 on Beaver Lake near Rogers, Ark., where they will go up against top competitors from the Great Lakes, LBL and Okie divisions for a shot at qualifying for the Wal-Mart BFL All-American – one of the most lucrative postseason tournaments in competitive angling.

As much as $6 million will be awarded in the 2003 Wal-Mart BFL.

Editor’s Note: Ranger Cup award winners are pending verification by Ranger Boats and thus are unofficial at this time.