Organizers say winter weather won't stop future Bassmaster Classics in Tulsa

TULSA - The recent winter weather couldn't stop the Bassmaster Classic from starting as scheduled Thursday.

Organizers expect 70,000 people to attend the event, making it one of the largest ever held in Green Country.

Some wonder, however, if the winter weather will hurt Tulsa's chances of landing the event, and future events like it.

The Tulsa Sports Commission said there are many factors and weather plays a minor role when it comes to the decision.

"We have discussions and talk about the weather and what it could do or not do, but at the end of the day, the venues and the fisheries and all those things really stack up to why we get the event," said Ray Hoyt, with the Tulsa Sports Commission.

Bassmaster organizers said they would welcome the chance to return to Tulsa in the future.

"We would feel very comfortable coming back to Tulsa even with the weather that we've had," said Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S.

Akin said next year's event will be held in Birmingham, Alabama.

For more information about the event, visit Bassmaster's official website.