Trap and Field's Around the ATA article from the Atlantic Provinces ATA Delegate
May, 2018
Hello from the Atlantic Provinces.
An update on Sheila’s Brush and the status of Spring in Newfoundland: We had a snowstorm on March 10 that dumped 25 cm (10 inches in American) of heavy wet snow. I would not classify it as a blizzard, but dangerous road condition warnings and travel advisories were in effect. It also caused flight interruptions that delayed the contingent of Newfoundland shooters on their way to Florida for the Southern Grand. I will go out on a limb here and am calling it Sheila’s Brush. According to local lore, Sheila’s Brush hit before St. Patrick’s Day, so we should have an early Spring. I will have to let you know next month, or perhaps June, if that’s the case.
Atlantic Provinces Secretary Treasurer Doug Blades and father-daughter shooting partners Herbie and Janaya Nickerson attended the Spring Grand in Tucson. The trio from Nova Scotia had a great shoot and brought home some nice hardware for their shooting efforts. Janaya shot a personal best Singles score and dad Herbie won a preliminary Singles C Class. Doug Blades also reports that he had the opportunity to shoot alongside ATA Hall of Famer Kay Ohye – a memorable moment for any ATA trapshooter.
Newfoundland shooters Paul Bailey, brothers John and Peter Tucker and Monty Petipas had a very successful Southern Grand. The boys have been attending this shoot for a number of years now and have come to enjoy their mid-winter break. The Nickersons from Nova Scotia also decided to attend, along with fellow Nova Scotian Barry Turner, who includes this shoot in his annual shooting circuit. That makes a total of 7 shooters from the Atlantic Provinces attending the Southern Grand.
The Nickerson duo continued their Spring Grand winning streak with Herbie earning a half yard in a preliminary event moving him back to the 22 yard line and Janaya’s Lady 1 Handicap Runnerup win in the Caeser Guerini Handicap earned her 1 yard and a punch to the 21 yard line. John Tucker placed third in the opening day’s Preliminary Handicap event but did not earn any yardage. Paul Bailey, who turns 85 this year and is the most senior of the group by 25 years or more, was kept busy shooting and writing a daily shoot report for our webpage. Peter Tucker won the Southern Grand Handicap Championship with a personal best score of 99/100! Peter’s shooting earns him a yard and half punch, a move to the 21.5 yard line and local celebrity status. Congratulations Peter. Wins for the group also included Class, HOA and HAA titles.
Check out the APTA Abroad section on shootatlantic.com for a complete report of our shooters at the Southern and Spring Grands.
ATA Registered shooting has started in the Atlantic Provinces with the Highland Gun Club in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia shoveling snow off the trap fields and holding a 200 Singles Marathon on Saturday, March 24. Typical maritime weather with overcast skies and strong headwinds prevailed for most of the day resulting in some challenging targets. Shooters at the Highland Gun Club have also challenged the St. John’s Rod and Gun Club to an interclub competition. On the line are bragging rights and a steak dinner.
For more information on the Atlantic Provinces Trapshooting Association visit shootatlantic.com.
Regards,
Andrea
Andrea Bassan
shootatlantic.com