GILBERTSVILLE, Ky., For the second time in as many years, the nation’s top bass fisherman will be featured on the cover of a special edition package of Wheaties. The Land O’Lakes Angler-of-the-Year, overall points champion of the lucrative 1999 Wal-Mart FLW Tour, will grace the famous cereal box later this year.
The appearance of an angler on the famed orange cereal box, internationally known by millions as the “Breakfast of Champions,” marks only the second time in the brand’s 75-year history that a champion representing America’s 55 million fishing enthusiasts has been featured, underscoring the significance of the fast-growing sport.
The bass angler crowned as the Land O’ Lakes Angler-of-the-Year points champion at the conclusion of the second day of competition during the $1 million Forrest Wood Open, the sixth event of the $4 million 1999 Wal-Mart FLW Tour being held in Detroit, Michigan, June 22-26, 1999, will earn the Wheaties box distinction.
Irwin L. Jacobs, Chairman of the Wal-Mart FLW Tour said, “This is another major milestone in the evolution of fishing. Featuring the Wal-Mart FLW Tour’s points champion on the cover of the Wheaties box, a spot reserved only for those who have achieved legendary status in a particular sport, is an acknowledgment that fishing is taking its rightful place alongside other professional sports relative to prominence and awareness in our society.”
The Land O’ Lakes Angler-of-the-Year points race was initiated for participants in the professional division of the seven-venue Wal-Mart FLW Tour, currently in its fourth season. Anglers receive points based upon their position in the standings at the end of the first round of competition at each Wal-Mart FLW Tour qualifying event, including the
Forrest Wood Open.
The angler amassing the highest accumulated point total after six events wins the points title. In addition to appearing on the Wheaties box, the winning angler will receive an Evinrude-powered Ranger bass boat.
The first angler in history to be featured on the Wheaties box was Denny Brauer of Camdenton, Missouri, the 1998 Land O’Lakes points champion of the Wal-Mart FLW Tour.
Sponsors of the 1999 Wal-Mart FLW Tour include: Wal-Mart, Coca-Cola, Land O’Lakes, CITGO Petroleum Products, Chevy Trucks, Uniroyal Tires, Fujifilm, EverStart Batteries, Eveready Flashlights, Black and Decker, Coleman Company, Ranger Boats, Mitchell Rods and Reels, Spiderwire, Evinrude Outboard Motors, Evinrude Electric Trolling Motors, Eagle Electronics, Timex Expedition, Wrangler, Chex Mix, Hamburger Helper, US Bank-VISA, and Wheaties.