Hi everyone. I want to start today with a milestone. Last month I told you that Tom Fester had shot 25,000 Doubles. This month he has shot 100,000 combined targets. Tom has quietly and efficiently become one of the best Veteran shooters in this state. It's amazing what a release trigger can do for a guy. Well done!
I have been talking about the plight of small clubs across the country. I am going to throw out some ideas over the next few months that might help them attract shooters. Last fall I was at a small club and was talking to the manager of the club. As we talked about big clubs vs. small clubs he said to me, "why don't we give points at small clubs too?" The more I thought about it, the more I thought he had a point. There would be no competition factor because they are small. We don't need to reinvent the wheel here; use the table we already have for earned yardage in the rule book. For example, if 15 to 39 shooters show up, 1 point would be awarded for an event win; 40 to 69 shooters would be 2 points and so on up the yardage table. I know many of you are thinking that a point or two doesn't mean anything. I would say to you, now a small club is at equal footing with a large club. Also, don't think a point or two doesn't make a difference. I have a good friend that missed being an All-American by 1 point a few years ago. Just think about it.
At the Southern Grand, Illinois is well represented. No big wins but many competitive scores are being shot by our shooters. A late update, Andrew Feig won the Southern Handicap with a score of 95. Nice shooting Andrew!
By the time you read this, shooting will be in full swing across the country. Have fun, shoot well and support your local, small clubs.
Bill Duncan, ATA Delegate