The event, which will be November 14-17 at Old Kinderhook Resort and Golf Course on Lake of the Ozarks, will be a hybrid of a bass tournament and a golf tournament.

King can handle the fishing part. He is one of the nation's top bass pros, having found success on both the B.A.S.S. and the FLW trails. But the golf part? Well, you'd better look out when he steps up to the tee, King advises.

"This will be the first time I've ever golfed," said King, 68, who lives in Reeds Spring, Mo. "I've just never had any interest in it. I spend all my time outdoors, either fishing or hunting.

"I was hoping to get a little practice in before I get over there. But I have some big (fishing) tournaments right up until then, so I'm going to have to go in cold."

	Marcus Sykora (third from left) and his amateur partner Matt Capstick (second from left) were all smiles after winning the 2016 Missouri Invitational Fishing and Golf Championship at Lake of the Ozarks. They were joined on stage by tournament founders Bob Renken (far left) and Bob Bueltmann (far right) and Sykora's children, Maddie and Mason.

The Missouri Invitational was the brainchild of Bob Renken, executive director of Old Kinderhook, and Bob Bueltmann, who runs the www.BassingBob.com website that chronicles all things bass fishing at Lake of the Ozarks.

They thought it would be fun to have an event that combines two of the Lake of the Ozarks' biggest drawing cards - bass fishing and golf.

So they organized an event that is scored by fishermen's performance on not only the water, but on the links as well.

This year's event, presented by Ulrich Marine and Duncan Diamonds and Fine Jewelry, will start Nov. 14 with a dinner and auction. The amateurs who have signed up for the event will bid on which pro fisherman they want to be paired with. Those teams will fish together on Wednesday, Nov. 15, and Friday, Nov. 17. They will be paired with a local PGA pro on the golf course Tuesday, Nov. 16.

	Legendary bass fisherman Dion Hibdon (center) followed one of his putts during the 2016 Missouri Invitational. Pictured in back of Dion is Todd Nicklas, general manager and head golf professional at Lake Valley Golf Club.

Fishermen will receive bonus points on the golf course. They will earn ½ pound of bass for each par, 1 pound for a birdie and 2 pounds for an eagle.

Some of the pro fishermen, such as Marcus Sykora and Mark Wiese, are accomplished golfers. Others such as King will try the game for the first time when they compete in the tournament.

Dion Hibdon, legendary bass fisherman, was in that boat during the first tournament.

"I had never even picked up a golf club," Hibdon said. "But it was a lot of fun.  I even made a few good shots."

	Pro fisherman Marcus Sykora (left) celebrated with his amateur partner Matt Capstick and his kids Maddie and Mason after wining the 2016 Missouri Invitational Fishing and Golf Championship.

Sykora and his amateur partner, Matt Capstick, excelled on both land and water in last year's event. On the last day, they came to the scales with five bass weighing an eye-opening 25.20 pounds to seal the victory. They split $15,000.

It was a good investment for Capstick. He made the high bid of $3,100 in the auction and immediately chose Sykora, who is one of the top bass fishermen on the big lake and a good golfer as well.

Three former FLW All-American champions - Sykora, Jeremy Lawyer and Brian Maloney - will be part of this year's field. Other top pros, guides and local bass fishing standouts will be included.

All activities will be based at Old Kinderhook, a top-rated golf course and resort near Camdenton, Mo. Spectators are welcome to view weigh-ins for the bass tournament or to follow golfers on the course.

Weigh-ins for the bass fishing will be at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday, Nov. 15 and 17. The scramble golf event will begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov.16.

A few amateur spots are still available. Fishermen can register for $1,000. To sign up or get more information on the tournament, go to the website www.BassingBob.com. 

Old Kinderhook is located at 20 Eagle Drive outside of Camdenton, Mo. For more information about the event , lodging options available or the golf course at Old Kinderhook, visit www.OldKinderhook.com.