News

October 22, 2007 - Southern Open anglers love Ingalls Harbor
The city of Decatur, the Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the BASS Federation Nation and everyone involved in the Bassmaster Southern Open bass tournament last week had good reason to be proud.

The tournament, which was hosted from Ingalls Harbor on Wheeler Lake, was a huge success.

Time after time, I heard tournament officials and anglers speak about how nice it was to come to Decatur. It seemed that everyone was impressed with our Ingalls Marina.

After listening to so many people speak about Ingalls Harbor, we figured you might like to hear some of the opinions about the facility that has put Decatur on the competitive bass fishing map:

Chris Bowes, Southern Open tournament director: “This is a top-notch facility. It has to be one of the best, if not the best in the country. It’s not often that we come to a place where we can launch several boats at the same time. The docking space here is literally incredible, as is the parking area. You’ve got a large grass field and pavement or firm gravel where you can set up stages and tents and things of that nature. It’s absolutely awesome. The city and CVB have done an outstanding job putting this all together

“I’d come back here in a heartbeat. I was talking with (special events director) of the CVB about bringing the Elite Series back here in June, and we’re looking for places for 2009 and beyond. Decatur and Ingalls Harbor will always be right on the top of our list. We’ll look forward to talks with the CVB in the near future.”

Maryland pro Frank Ippoliti, Southern Open pro division winner: “This place is absolutely awesome. It sets up perfect for tournaments. It’s great for the average weekend fisherman and for the tournament fisherman. The ramp is fantastic and the parking is great. It’s just a great setup.”

South Carolina pro and second-place finisher Todd Auten: “I have truly enjoyed this facility here. Everything y’all did here is great. I wish every place we go to would have something as nice as this.”

BASS Elite series pro and former angler-of-the-year Gerald Swindle: “I’ve been all over the country, coast-to-coast, and you have the best facility we’ve every launched at.”

BASS Elite Series pro and former angler-of-the-year Tim Horton: “I am just blown away with this place — it’s very impressive. All of the guys have been bragging on it. Whoever designed it did a great job. The parking is great, the tie-up area is great and you can launch over 10 boats at a time. What Decatur has done will definitely make it easier for tournaments to come here.”

BASS pro Terry Seagraves of Florida: “It’s awesome. I’m from Kissimmee, Fla., and we need something like what you have here. I take my hat off to all of you. You have something to be proud of here.”

Third-place finisher Kenneth Chapman: “The Decatur mayor tied up my boat when I came in — what more can I say about this place?”

Decatur angler David Parks, who fished with Ippoliti as a co-angler: “I think everything went really well. The CVB did a great job. This is such a great facility. I’m looking forward to getting the bathrooms built and the landscaping all done. I don’t see anything but good things here on down the road.”

Southern open roundup
In the professional division, 1,435 bass were brought to the scales with a weight of 2,332 pounds. On the co-angler side, 1,065 bass went to the scales with a weight of 1,461 pounds, 5 ounces.

The tourney’s big bass was caught by Tennessee pro Bob Morin on Friday — a 7-pound, 11-ounce largemouth bass.

October 21, 2007 - Enjoying a fall break

October 19, 2007 - Lane first-day fishing leader
October 19, 2007 - Fishing for dollars with Wheeler as bait

October 10, 2007 - Hospitality helps land bass tourney

August 25, 2007 - National 40-over softball players here

August 22, 2007 - Reese wins Dixie Senior title

August 19, 2007 - Alabama’s hotbed for table tennis action

July 26, 2007 - Decatur Scores Big with Two Tennis Tournaments in 2008
Another asset for Decatur to bank on are the quality tennis courts found at Point Mallard Park. The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce two tennis tournaments are set for 2008 at the Jimmy Johns Tennis Center located in the heart of Point Mallard Park in Decatur.

The Alabama Community College Conference is bringing its men’s and women’s tennis state championship to the river city. The state championship is set for April 18 and 19, 2008. The tournament will host eight teams from community colleges across Alabama. This will be the first of three consecutive years for Decatur to host this tournament. For more information on the Alabama Community College Conference, visit its website at www.acccsports.org.

Shortly thereafter, Decatur will also host the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) 6A Tennis State Championship where 32 boys’ and girls’ teams from across Alabama will compete also at the Jimmy Johns Tennis Center. The AHSAA state championship is set for April 28 – May 1, 2008. For more information on AHSAA, visit its website at www.ahsaa.com.

“With the new indoor tennis courts and other facilities located in Point Mallard, Decatur is poised to become a leading tennis tournament location, as with our soccer facilities,” said Tami Reist, president of Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We are anticipating AHSAA tournament bringing approximately 1,000 hotel room nights to the city of Decatur.” Located adjacent to the Point Mallard Waterpark, the Jimmy Johns Tennis Center contains four clay and fourteen hard courts including two indoor courts. The venue also includes meeting space and a pro shop.

For information on the tennis tournaments or other special events and attractions in Decatur, contact the Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800.524.6181 or 256.350.2028; or visit its website at www.decaturcvb.org. The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization promoting tourism and economic growth in Morgan County.

July 2, 2007 - Rain doesn’t deter Timbersports fans

June 24, 2007 - Decatur lands major soccer tournaments
June 24, 2007 - Top lumberjacks to compete in TimberSports in Decatur

June 18, 2007 - Elite Series plans 2008 visit to Ingalls