It’s difficult to believe it will already be November when you are reading this and the warm months of 2015 here in Indiana have slipped away. I hope everyone was able to get out and enjoy some of the fantastic weather we had in September and you were able to get the new target year that began September 1st off to a great start! After such a wet June & July this year, we truly deserved the good weather this fall that’s for sure.
One shoot from September that I want to mention is the annual Shoot For The Cure that was held at Fall Creek Valley Conservation Club on September 12 & 13. Like always Dan & Desira Fesler put on a great shoot, threw great targets with great weather and I know everyone really enjoyed themselves. This two-day shoot has become a tradition this time of year and I know I always look forward to it. Desira & Dan go all out to make this a fun shoot and raise money for a good cause, supporting those with breast cancer. They have changed the charity they are supporting this year to the Pink Ribbon Connection, an organization based out of Indianapolis, who specialize in providing emotional support, local resources and education to those touched by breast cancer across Indiana. This year a $2500 donation was made as a result of the Shoot For The Cure. Congratulations to event winners George Rezabek who bested Don Carlton in the 200 Singles shoot-off on Saturday, and Monte Conover who won Sunday’s Handicap event. I won Sunday’s Doubles event in addition to the High Overall. All event winners as well as HOA received very nice silver belt buckle trophies. Make plans to join us at the 2016 Shoot For The Cure at Fall Creek Valley, September 10-11, 2016. There are plans for a hog roast Saturday night so make sure you stick around for that!
I am currently working on calculating the Indiana All-State Teams for the 2015 target year. Look for the teams to be listed in next month’s Around the ATA column. In the meantime, I want to make you aware of a few changes to the All- State Teams that will start with the 2016 target year. We will be adding the Sub Veteran, Lady I/II and Junior Gold Teams starting this year. The Men’s Team will consist of the Top 10 overall averages, as will the Sub Veteran, Veteran & Junior Teams. The Lady I, Lady II, Sub Junior, Junior Gold and Senior Veteran Teams will consist of the Top 5 overall averages. Category placement will be determined by where you are at the end of the target year. For example if you start the year in Veteran category, turn 70 during the year and declare Senior Veteran at a shoot, you will be eligible for the Senior Veteran Team. If you turn 70 but stay in Veteran class for the rest of the target year which is your option, you will be eligible for the Veteran team. If you never declare a category during the target year at any shoot, you will be eligible for the Men’s open team.
Target minimums for All-State Teams have been changed around a little for some of the categories for the 2016 target year. In order to qualify for the Men’s, Sub Veteran & Veteran Teams, minimum targets must include 2,500 Singles, 1,500 Handicap and 1,000 Doubles targets. For Lady I, Lady II, Junior, Junior Gold & Senior Veteran, minimums are 2,000 Singles, 1,000 Handicap and 500 Doubles. To make the Sub Junior Team, you must shoot 1,000 Singles, 1,000 Handicap and 300 Doubles. Also to clarify a common question, your Over All Average for All-State Team rankings is computed by your singles average plus your handicap average plus your doubles average, divided by three.
Thank you for the opportunity to be your ATA Delegate. I must say I have enjoyed these first few months and look forward to seeing all of you at a trap club in the near future. As always if you ever have any questions about the ATA or especially if you have any shooter or shoot information you would like included in this article, don’t hesitate to send me an email or give me a call.
Jason Barnett
Indiana ATA Delegate