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January 12, 2010

Arkansas bound — 01/13/10

Bowling Green loses National BB Gun Championship Matchch

Anonymous The Daily Independent Tue Jan 12, 2010, 04:14 PM EST

Bowling Green has lost an international competition that it is a safe bet the vast majority of Kentuckians never knew the city hosted.

For the past six years — and 16 times overall — Western Kentucky University has hosted the International BB Gun Championship Match, an event that annually lured about 1,000 people to southern Kentucky, with most of them residing in motel rooms and dining in restaurants while in Bowling Green. While that’s probably fewer than the number of out-of-towners who come to Bowling Green for a WKU home football or basketball game, the BB Gun Championships certainly were a boost to the local economy.

But, alas, Daisy Outdoor Products has decided to aim closer to home with this year’s championship. Instead of Bowling Green, the 2010 International BB Gun Championship Match will be in Rogers, Ark., the company’s home town.

Daisy Vice President of Marketing Joe Murfin says a high school in Rogers built a field house large enough to host the competition, allowing Daisy to hold the match near its corporate headquarters and museum.

From a practical standpoint, the move makes sense, but what is good news for Daisy and Rogers is a loss for Bowling Green.

Bowling Green can take pride in how well it hosted the top BB gun shooters each year. After all, the championship would not have returned to the city 16 times unless it was doing something right to welcome the visitors.

For the past six years — and 16 times overall — Western Kentucky University has hosted the International BB Gun Championship Match, an event that annually lured about 1,000 people to southern Kentucky, with most of them residing in motel rooms and dining in restaurants while in Bowling Green. While that’s probably fewer than the number of out-of-towners who come to Bowling Green for a WKU home football or basketball game, the BB Gun Championships certainly were a boost to the local economy.

But, alas, Daisy Outdoor Products has decided to aim closer to home with this year’s championship. Instead of Bowling Green, the 2010 International BB Gun Championship Match will be in Rogers, Ark., the company’s home town.

Daisy Vice President of Marketing Joe Murfin says a high school in Rogers built a field house large enough to host the competition, allowing Daisy to hold the match near its corporate headquarters and museum.

From a practical standpoint, the move makes sense, but what is good news for Daisy and Rogers is a loss for Bowling Green.

Bowling Green can take pride in how well it hosted the top BB gun shooters each year. After all, the championship would not have returned to the city 16 times unless it was doing something right to welcome the visitors.

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Bowling Green loses National BB Gun Championship Matchch

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