FOR TRAVELERS, CONTACT:
Dana Lent, Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau
1-800-PCBEACH (850-233-5070), www.visitpanamacitybeach.com

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jeanette Chin, Ypartnership Public Relations
917-538-3266, jeanette.chin@ypartnership.com

Christie Gregovich Ypartnership Public Relations
407-838-1822, christie.gregovich@ypartnership.com

Sharlet Brennan, Ypartnership Public Relations
407-838-1707, sharlet.brennan@ypartnership.com

GRAND LAGOON NATIONAL TOURNAMENT CANCELLED FOR 2008

2009 Tournament Scheduled for Aug. 12 – 16 in Panama City Beach, Fla.

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 17, 2008) – Weather has taken its toll on the inaugural Grand Lagoon National in Panama City Beach, Fla. Due to the rash of recent storms and poor weather forecasts along the Gulf Coast for the coming weeks, organizers have made the difficult decision to cancel this major fishing tournament scheduled for Oct. 3-5.
The Grand Lagoon National is not alone. Since August, the Gulf fishing community has experienced numerous upsets due to strong storm systems. Many fishing tournaments from as far as the Bahamas to North Carolina and Key West, Fla. to Port Arthur, Tex., have been forced to postpone or cancel their events as well.

Grand Lagoon National organizers have already started planning next year’s event. The tournament is set to take place, Aug. 12-16, 2009.

“We’re committed to hosting a successful event for anglers and providing them with an enjoyable and safe competition,” said Bill Spann, Chairman of the Grand Lagoon National Tournament. “With the ongoing weather problems we have been experiencing here in the Gulf, we decided it was best to postpone the event until next year.”

“I know I speak for the enthusiastic sponsors and volunteers who are the force behind the Grand Lagoon National when I say we deeply regret being unable to successfully mount our first tournament this year,” Spann continued. “We’re thankful for the support and encouragement we have received from hundreds of anglers, divers and boat owners.”
“Good ideas, however, can’t be washed away,” he concluded. “We believe in the value of hosting America’s most inclusive saltwater fishing tournament. The resources of the St. Andrews Bay system and the waters of the Northern Gulf make Panama City Beach the ideal location to host an “open-door” fishing event. The Grand Lagoon National is here to stay and is fully committed to earning the right to call itself "America's saltwater fishing tournament."

For additional information, visit www.grandlagoonnational.com or contact 850-522-0955.

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Media Contacts:

Bill Spann, Grand Lagoon National Tournament Chairman, ph. 850-522-0955
Dana Lent, Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, ph. 850-233-5070