NEWSLETTERS - Work and play co-mingle at Heartland of America Show

Work and play co-mingle at Heartland of America Show

Rent to own professionals took full advantage of the recreational opportunities available at the fourth annual Heartland of America Regional Trade Show in Lake Ozark, Missouri, showing up in mass for golf and fishing tournaments Tuesday.

Some 24 fishermen and women in 13 boats sped onto the Lake of the Ozarks at dawn in search of the big one as part of the trade show's annual bass tournament and another 60 golfers teed off for the golf tournament at the lush Lodge of the Four Seasons Resort.

The Rent-A-Center duo of Mary Hazel and Matt Mertens claimed top prize in the Heartland Fishing Tournament, landing the most total pounds of bass.

In the fishing tournament, Ted Albert of Rent One took home top honors for the single largest catch, a five pound two ounce bass.

Two fishing teams tied for the most total pounds of bass caught, with five fish each reeled in by the two-person teams of Mary Hazel and Matt Mertens, both of Rent-A-Center and Dan Cole and Joe Fagin, both of National Rent To Own.

The teams deadlocked with nine pounds four ounces of total bass each.

Hazel and Mertens had the single largest catch however, a respectable three pound 14 ounce catch, thereby breaking the tie and winning the top total catch prize.

Fishing teams Vic Lombardo and Joe Neuhous of National Rent To Own took third place and Steve Braning and Ron Mueller, also of National Rent To Own took fourth place in the total bass contest.

Tournament leader "Tiger" John Cleek of Cleek's Lease or Own said he was impressed with the turnout and the number of fish landed.
 

APRO President and Rent One owner Larry Carrico sinks a key shot in the Heartland Golf Tournament as daughter, Kelly, cheers.

"The fishing was overall very good and it was the first time in the history of the tournament where all boats weighed in with at least one keeper,"  Cleek said. "For four hours of fishing that's not bad. The winner gets a first place trophy and bragging rights for the rest of the year, that's the important part."

Golfers were still making the rounds in a game of four man scramble at the scenic Witch's Cove golf course at press time. Some 15 teams including rent-to-own dealers and venders enjoyed unseasonably cool weather to sharpen their skills and network throughout the morning and early afternoon.

The Heartland Trade Show officially kicks off from 3 p.m. to 7: 30 p.m Tuesday with some 66 vendor booths available to the 145 rental dealers and 24 rental companies here.

Tournament winners of both the fishing and golf contests will be honored at a special awards banquet tonight at 8 p.m.

The show concludes June 18 with a presentation by Mike Frank on the finer points of interviewing, training and keeping good employees.

Click here for the complete fishing and golf tournament photo gallery.

Click here for the complete 2008 Heartland of America Regional Trade Show photo gallery.

mevans@rtohq.org