CELEBRATION, Fla. — CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series angler Terry Segraves is capping off the 11-event season with a tournament of his own. On Oct. 28-29, the 58-year-old angler will host the seventh annual Angling Against Cancer Benefit Dinner and Tournament in Kissimmee, Fla., to benefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research.
The dinner and pro-am tournament features a proverbial who's-who in the world of bass fishing. Anglers expected to participate include Bassmaster Memorial champion Peter Thliveros, long-time BASS anglers Paul Elias, Steve Daniel, Charlie Hartley and Charlie Youngers as well as 2007 CITGO Bassmaster Classic competitors Terry Scroggins, Timmy Horton and Kevin Wirth.
"This is for a good cause," said Segraves. "It's a way to give back to people who are less fortunate and it's something we need to find a cure for."
Segraves has built a reputation not only as a competitive angler, but also as a generous one. Angling Against Cancer is the centerpiece of Kissimmee's Great Outdoor Fest and Expo, a two-day festival celebrating the outdoors and organized by Segraves' sponsor, the Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau.
With many touring BASS pros participating, the event has raised more than $200,000 for The V Foundation, a cancer-research organization founded in 1993 by the late N.C. State basketball coach and ESPN commentator Jim Valvano.
"We brought in about $50,000 last year," said Segraves. "My goal is to get it up to six figures for a single year. It's a good thing to do and people have fun doing it."
Segraves is also proud that through his association with his hometown of Kissimmee, community leaders and friends of Lake Toho, he has been a leader in the field of conservation. With massive development planned for the south side of the lake, Segraves has been invited by the site developer to participate in planning meetings that he hopes will lead to preservation of the lake's fishing appeal.
"I'd like to see a lot of other anglers get involved in their areas," he said. "I'm hoping to make a difference in what they plan so it won't affect the fishing."
In addition to Kissimmee, which Segraves has been associated with since 1999, his Elite Series sponsors include Ranger Boats, Evinrude Outboards, Pfleuger rods and reels, Minn Kota trolling motors, Humminbird fish finders, Power-Pole anchors and Culprit worms.