As the roar of the crowd watching the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro pierced the air in the Bon Secours Wellness Arena Sunday evening, officials from Anderson County presented B.A.S.S. with an award, recognizing the bass fishing organization for holding the first event at their new Green Pond Landing facility.
The steel I beam, engraved with “Green Pond Landing Event Center” and “2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic,” recognizes the story of Green Pond Landing, said Matthew Schell, Anderson County Parks Department manager. “It’s the most significant piece of Green Pond’s construction,” he said.
The I beam was used to push the concrete ramp into the water. The ramp, which is 210 feet long and 50 feet wide and weighs in at 1.2 million pounds, has the deepest launch lanes on Lake Hartwell, Schell said.
A replica of the award presented to B.A.S.S. was given to 2015 Bassmaster Classic champion Casey Ashley of Donalds, S.C., following his win Sunday night. His is the first title to be won out of the new Green Pond facility. “There’s been no event before this one,” Schell said. “The Classic is the first and it truly makes me speechless.”
Sharon Nicometo of the Anderson County Parks Department, director of VisitAnderson Jennifer Norman and Neil Paul of Visit Anderson were also on hand to present the award to B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin on Sunday. Schell said it had been Anderson’s intention to bring the Classic back to Lake Hartwell following the first visit there in 2008. “B.A.S.S. invested in a promise,” Schell said, referring to the construction of the new launch site. “We certainly hope B.A.S.S. doesn’t stay away that long this time!”