 |
PWT Angler of the Year
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 PWT Tournament Winners
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Antioch & Fox Lake, Illinois
Berkley/Optima Batteries Pro-Am Winner,
John Butts, Dryden, Ontairo. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Bull Shoals, Arkansas
Lowrance/Berkley Pro-Am Winner,
Bill Ortiz, Richland Center, Wisconsin |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Russell Springs, Kentucky
Realtree Pro-Am Winner,
Shannon Kehl, Menoken, North Dakota |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Bay City, Michigan
Lund Boats Pro-Am Winner,
Dave VanOss, Appleton, Wisconsin |
|
|
 |
|
|
Mobridge, South Dakota
Mercury/Johnsonville Brats Pro-Am Winner,
Bobby Crow, Paterson, Washington |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Lund Boats/Outdoor Channel Pro-Am Winner,
Terry Wilson, Powell, Wyoming |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Junction City, Kansas
Mercury Championship Winner,
Dave Andersen, Amery, Wisconsin |
|
|
|
|
|
2005 PWT Special Award Winners
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Johnsonville Brats Angler of the Year Winner
Mike Gofron, Antioch, Illinois |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
MotorGuide Western Division Winner
John Butts, Dryden, Ontario |
|
|
 |
|
|
MotorGuide Eastern Division Winner
Tom Kemos, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Todd Riley Wins 2005 Optima Top Gun
Todd Riley, Amery, Wis., a veteran PWT touring pro, won the $5,000 Optima Batteries Top Gun award for 2005. The Top Gun recognizes the pro with the best overall season standings.
Todd was ranked sixth in average finish and 11th in the Johnsonville Brats Angler of the Year race. He was fifth at the Mercury Championship in Kansas. When the overall rankings were computed, he had the best Top Gun score.
He has fished the PWT for seven years; won 25 checks in 47 events; cashed five checks and won $23,000 to $29,000 each of the last three seasons; has six top 10-place finishes; and qualified for five Mercury Championships.
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Ernie Olson Wins Realtree Sportsman of the Year Honors
Ernie Olson, Foley, Minn., just missed the Big Show at the Mercury Championship this season. His performance included a second place finish at the Sault Ste. Marie final event of the season.
To win the $500 Realtree Sportsman of the Year, the Mercury Championship qualifiers vote for the person they feel exemplifies sportsmanship all year long. Or, the nominee has been an angler who exhibited valor.
In Ernie’s case, he has always exhibited sound judgment on the water, fished his own patterns in his own spots, helped others when called upon and has a willing smile for all.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Mike Gofron wins Another Honor
The most decorated PWT pro, Mike Gofron, Antioch, Ill., was selected as the winner of the 2005 Norb Wallock Memorial Education Award. This $500 award recognizes the late Norb Wallock, who died three years ago.
Norb’s wife Julie sponsors the award and said, “Norb loved to teach and that’s why we started this award. He loved to work hard and he loved to play hard, and this year’s winner is the same kind of person.” The nominations come from amateurs/co-anglers who fish with PWT pros every day of every tournament. They have opportunities to learn from the best pro walleye anglers in the world.
Some of the comments that described the winner follow:
“The knowledge learned from Mike will stay with me for a lifetime, not only for walleyes, but for other species as well.”
“He is down to earth and a quality representative of the PWT.”
“In one day of fishing, I learned more about boat control, fishing with in-line weights, confidence in presentation and spots, and the diligence and discipline to fish hard all day.”
Mike has won several tournaments, a Mercury Championship, two Angler of the Year awards (1999 and 2005), the Optima Top Gun award, and is the second leading PWT money winner with more than $500,000 to date.
|
|
|
|
|
PWT web photos may be downloaded for Media use. Credit Line: Courtesy of In-Fisherman/PWT.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
