BCB sponsorship of ChampioN TOC on Table Rock

This is going to sound a little different and it wasnt. It was just like every one of you! We wanted to come here first before thanking them for their hospitality. We wanted to express our sincere thanks to the owners of Champion boats who welcomed us with open arms at their TOC (Tournament of Champions) on Table Rock last week. We did not want to hype or sensationalize it here earlier as the invite to participate in the event was one of graciousness. We certainly would not want to cloud the integrity of their gesture with anticipations. Tom and Jeff contacted me a few weeks back and expressed that they had met with parties of another company and while they offered some perks for the event they were looking for more. They offered us an opportunity to sponsor the Champion TOC seeking some nice prizes for their silent auction and the drawings after the event. He offered us to bring our rigs up for demo rides and participate in the boat display at Cape Fair Marina. This we did and it was great. They love their Champion boats and they had them all shined up on display. The event was also a fund raiser for American Cancer and raised just under $2,000 for the name sake. This was all clouded by the passing on Thursday (10/10/2013) of former TN Champion employee Stephanie Dinkins who had just lost her battle with the disease. The event was in her honor and showing her the respect they felt she earned.At first we really didnt know what to expect as Ivan and I rolled into the park a few minutes apart. He took his Puma FTD and I the Jaguar and 300 Verado we have. Saturday I switched the Jaguar for a Sabre FTD and 150 SHO. The ladies and gentlemen who were there very glad to see us and once things opened up we all had a great time driving and riding till supper. We ran till dark and then met at Flat Creek Resort for the dinner and get together. Jeremy, Dax, Tom, Darren, Jeff, Stewart and his wife (sorry name escapes me), John, Diane and more were all very appreciative of our efforts. Some friendly jousting ensued at the dinner and this was all complimentary. The silent auction was held during dinner and for one quality reason we allowed Dax Davis to slip off with the Pink Jig in the display case. We provided BCB rods, Lews rods, graphs, T shirts (YCB & BCB), Hats and more for the event. After the dinner we returned home and slipped back up the ridge on Day 2 for the weigh in, with Bobby and Buck Comstock joining us. Bobby owned a Champion for 25 years and recently he and Buck joined our family, thus we asked them to help out. They are in their second BCB models. Thanks to them for showing up and helping. Bobby managed to also give a couple of demo rides on Saturday too. Saturday the weigh in left the team of Fann and Plank (BCB Owner) winning with almost 13 pounds, 12 pounds was second and it fell hard from there. Overall we really appreciated the opportunity that Tom and Jeff offered us and we expressed to them our displeasure at hearing their loved brand was slipping away. We of course welcomed them to look at a BCB model when they are ready and we only ask a fair shot. In the future, we would really like to figure out how to include this group in our “family” or a joint event in the future. They were absolutely a joy to be around. Thank you to all, those who welcomed us and those who tolerated us being tied up on a weekend when we had so many BCB sponsored things going on from Arkansas to Alabama. Good night to all! Rick PierceLast edited by Rick Pierce on October 15th, 2013, 4:19 am, edited 2 times in total.