Lovell takes win at BFL Cowboy Division tournament

Larry Lovell of Emory, Texas, claimed won the BFL Cowboy Division's third regular-season stop, held April 26 on Lake Livingston near Huntsville. Lovell led the field of 173 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 15 pounds, 3 ounces. Angler: Larry Lovell.

April 26, 2003 • MLF • Archives

HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Larry Lovell of Emory claimed $4,508 as the winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Cowboy Division’s third regular-season stop, held Saturday on Lake Livingston near Huntsville. Lovell led the field of 173 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 15 pounds, 3 ounces.

Finishing second was Ricky Guy of Channelview with five bass weighing 13 pounds, 13 ounces worth $2,254. Jeff Carpenter of Joyce, La., finished third with five bass weighing 13 pounds, 6 ounces that earned him $1,533. Tied for fourth place were Wesley Dawson of Silsbee and Dicky Newberry of Houston with a five-bass catch weighing 13 pounds, 2 ounces. Each received $1,082 for their catch.

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

Brian Merrifield of Duncanville topped 173 Co-angler Division competitors with a five-bass catch weighing 9 pounds, 8 ounces. Merrifield earned $2,254 for the win.

Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Danny Hairston of Round Rock (three bass, 8 pounds, 10 ounces, $1,127); Chris Achee of Lafayette, La. (two bass, 7 pounds, 10 ounces, $766); Terry Hayley of Winnsboro (three bass, 7 pounds, 7 ounces, $586); and Clint Bridges of Round Rock (three bass, 7 pounds, 5 ounces, $496).

Charles Dubroc of Hessmer, La., earned boater big-bass honors and $865 with a 6-pound bass, and Mark Boyett of Magnolia earned co-angler big-bass honors and $433 in his division with an 4-pound, 9-ounce bass.

The Cowboy Division will make its fourth regular-season stop June 28 on Toledo Bend in Hemphill. The final regular-season event, a two-day Super Tournament, will be held Sept. 20-21 on Sam Rayburn in Brookeland. 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 Cowboy Division boaters and co-anglers will advance to regional competition Oct. 21-25 on the Red River near Natchitoches, La., where they will go up against top competitors from the Arkie, Bama and Gulf Coast 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.

For more information or to enter a tournament, call (270) 252-1000 or browse this Web site.

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