The 50th Annual South Dakota Governor’s Cup is this weekend, July 20-21, and in addition to crowning the champions for the longest running known walleye tournament The Fishing Crew will also be hosting two National Team Championship (NTC) qualifying events within the format of the two-day tournament.
“The 2025 NTC is going to be taking place in Pickstown, South Dakota, and we wanted to make sure our anglers had the opportunity to represent the Governor’s Cup, The Fishing Crew, their state, and themselves at this prestigious event,” said Curt Underhill, Tournament Director. “This is why we are adding two side-pots, one for each day, to qualify as many teams for this event as possible.”
Both days of the event will operate as separate NTC qualifying tournaments.
“Essentially these are mini-tournaments within the Governor’s Cup,” explained Underhill. “After Day One, we’ll have a finishing order for those teams within the side-pot. Then Day Two will be a completely blank slate again, and we’ll have a finishing order for that day as well.”
One qualifying spot will be available for every ten teams that sign up for the event.
“If 10 teams sign up, the winner qualifies for NTC,” continued Underhill. “If 100 teams sign up for both days, we’re sending the top ten. This is a really excellent opportunity for teams to get their bid all within the Governor’s Cup regular format.”
The side pot costs $50 per day and both team members must be members within The Walleye Federation.
“Basically it’s an extra $180 for the entire team to be eligible to qualify for both days,” elaborated Underhill. “If both teammates are already TWF members, then it’s only $100.”
The 50th Annual South Dakota Governor’s Cup is already a crown jewel event, and the addition of these NTC qualifying side-pots adds to the opportunity anglers will have over the weekend.
“Anglers that sign up for these events will literally never be out of competition throughout the entire weekend,” concluded Underhill. “A team could zero on Day One, and go out the next day and win their qualifier for NTC. That’s a really cool opportunity.”
Anglers interested in registering for these side-pots can do so through The Walleye Federation website.
