Our hosts in Anderson County had an unforeseen challenge after the Day 1 launch. They expected a large crowd, but the volume of people significantly exceeded the limits of the parking situation.
“We knew we had a problem after Day 1,” said Neil Paul, Executive Director of Visit Anderson. “After launch, we spent several hours in meetings and phone calls coming up with a plan to make the traffic flow and parking better for the rest of the tournament.”
The solutions included more officers and volunteers, additional lighting, more signage, and finally a new road cut through land the county owned. The new road is specifically designed to get Classic competitors into the legendary Green Pond Landing quickly.
The new road includes grading, gravel, drainage, and was completed in 7-hours, around midnight on Friday.
Once installed, officials decided to name it, “Chris Bowes Byway” after the B.A.S.S. VP of Tournaments. Bowes is also the Tournament Director for the 2022 Classic. A few years ago, Anderson County named a road inside Green Pond Landing, Hank Weldon Way, after the Bassmaster Opens Tournament Director.
The team responsible for the new “Miracle Road” included Matt Schell, Parks Manager for Anderson County; Matt Hogan, Manager of Roads of Bridges; and Holt Hopkins, the Public Works Director for Anderson County.
“We didn’t sleep at lot during the Classic,” said Paul. “But we slept well Saturday night knowing we gave our best for B.A.S.S. and the fans.”
This kind of dedication and attention to detail is what separates the folks in Anderson County above the rest. They will stop at nothing to make sure tournaments run smoothly, even if it means building a road at midnight.
Thank you for a great Classic, Anderson County!