Trap and Field's Around the ATA article from the Atlantic Provinces ATA Delegate
November, 2018
Hello from the Atlantic Provinces.
The big question leading up to this year’s Atlantic Provinces ATA Provincial Shoot was “Can a three-trap club successfully host the Atlantic Provinces Provincial Shoot?” Our ATA Provincial Shoot attendance averages 50 shooters, but based on the overwhelming interest in this year’s shoot, that number was expected to climb to at least 60, and perhaps closer to 70 shooters. The biggest concern was finishing the day’s events while there was enough daylight. Most everyone involved were confident that it would be a challenge, but certainly doable.
Well, the simple answer is “Yes, a three-trap club can successfully host the Atlantic Provinces Provincial Shoot.” The more complicated answer is that to have a successful shoot, it takes countless hours of work, planning and a dedicated group of volunteers to ensure everything is in order. Shoot promotion, preparing a shoot program, trap maintenance, scorer training and ordering prizes are just some of the tasks that need to be done well in advance of the shoot. Fall behind or neglect any of these and the end result will be evident. During the shoot, it takes a dedicated shoot committee to keep things moving along at a pace that ensures the shoot runs smoothly and on schedule.
Atlantic Provinces Trapshooting Association Treasurer and Highland Gun Club Trap Chairman Doug Blades and his large group of volunteers were determined to make their first time hosting our Atlantic Provinces Shoot a success. And that it was. Our 2018 Championships had a 25 percent increase in attendance with 64 entries from the Atlantic Provinces and visiting shooters from Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia. We had no trap breakdowns, no trap issues, the scoring was top notch and the club made sure we were all fed well. The daily lunches featured fresh, local seafood and in between events bacon wrapped scallops were being served. The Highland Gun Club has definitely set the bar higher for our annual ATA shoot. Congratulations to everyone that helped make this year’s shoot a success.
Our 2018 Atlantic Provinces Champions are Singles Champion Reynold d’Entremont, Doubles Champion Troy Coldwell and Handicap Champion Rejean d’Entremont. Non-residents dominated the Open Championships and include Singles Champion Jim Wood (Ontario), Doubles Champion Serge Pelletier (Quebec) and Handicap Champion Jim Lee (Ontario). For complete shoot results and photos check the coverage in Trap and Field and visit shootatlantic.com.
The 2019 Atlantic Provinces Shoot rotation will take the event to Newfoundland and Labrador, where the St. John’s Rod and Gun Club members are no strangers to hosting our annual shoot.
For more information on our annual Provincial shoot or the Atlantic Provinces Trapshooting Association, feel free to contact me or visit shootatlantic.com.
Regards,
Andrea
Andrea Bassan
shootatlantic.com