Super Bowl time! That’s right. The 2008 BASSMASTER’s Classic at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, S.C. Although the weather was cold, wet and raining the first day of competition, the overall event was outstanding.

The week started with a huge Classic party at the Hooters of Greenville location. Chris Bowes (tournament director for BASS) called HBF to schedule this event just as they did last year in Birmingham. This party is becoming tradition for all the BASS, ESPN and factory support staff. Thank you to the Greenville Hooters store, and especially the manager Kim Caviness, for all the hospitality. These are the people responsible for an incredible event every year. It’s wonderful to hear how much these people appreciate Hooters supporting the Classic all year long.

Day one of the 2008 Classic was not to cosmetically friendly for the traditional HBF rendezvous on the water. With umbrellas in arm HBF and the Hooters girls headed down to the blast off to show our support for the Classic from the launch site. While there, we hung around for the live ESPN Mike and Mike show from the outdoor pavilion. Mike Golic, from the show, took time to say hi and take some great photos with HBF and the girls. After a hearty breakfast and regroup, four of the gals from the Anderson Hooters met up with three more gals from the Greenville store to crash the Classic Expo show.

Holy train wreck! What a huge and overwhelming response from HBF’s industry supporters and the public at the show. HBF and seven of South Carolina’s finest Hooters girls passed out more than two hundred Hooters magazines and HBF autograph cards. We literally couldn’t walk more than ten feet without friends, fans and supporters stopping for some gear and photos. It was awesome! HBF and posse hung out at the show for six hours. Kim and the Greenville Hooters store were overwhelmed by the patronage shown at their store over the next three days, standing room only. Awesome!

Day two of the Classic was warmer. There was no rain, and with the sun shining, it was time to fire up the old Hooters wrapped Ranger boat powered by our screaming Mercury Pro XS optimax. We were off to find Hometown Ohio native and personal friend of HBF’s, Charlie Hartley. Rock on Charlie! Charlie was leading the event after day one and finished day two in second place. We caught up to Charlie about noon on the water and stayed with him for the rest of the day.

Charlie is a true champion. His hard work, perseverance and dedication to his livelihood put him in this life changing position to be the world champion. Charlie was ever so gracious to have our support. With a personal thank you and mention on stage and his daily ESPN blog that included mention of Hooters support, we could not have selected a better person to follow. You rock Charlie! Best of luck in 2008.

HBF would personally like to thank John Bolt and Zep Pedicini, The Go To Guy, from the Anderson Hooters store and all the gals that made the 2008 Classic one to remember. Thanks, as well, to Mr. Ryan Raley. Mr. Raley is from Columbia, S.C. HBF has had the privilege to become a close personal friend of Mr. Raley over the last four years.

Mr. Raley provided the beautiful accommodations on Lake Hartwell and had the time of his life being the camera guy and official promo liaison for HBF. Mr. Raley expresses his eternal gratitude to Hooters for a classic experience of a lifetime. Good luck Ryan in your 2008 tournament season as well.

Fish on!