By Lisa Paine
VIEW Sports Editor

GRAND BLANC — While many of the nation’s best golfers took aim at their own brand of birdies just a few miles across town at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club, the Michigan State Sporting Clays Championship was on course at the Grand Blanc Huntsman’s Club last weekend. More than 300 shooters took aim at clay targets for coveted titles and bragging rights.

Shooting sports is something that more than 19 million Americans take part in as a recreation endeavor or competitive sport. Handguns, shotguns and rifles are the most common weapons of choice, with muzzleloaders enjoying their own brand of sport.

Grand Blanc Huntsman’s Club offers skeet, trap and five-stand shooting. It also supports the Scholastic Clay Target Program that is part of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Its young charges compete for scholarship monies while earning state and national recognition, all while learning about safe firearms handling, commitment, responsibility, leadership and teamwork, says the NSSF.

Leagues for men, women and youth are just part of the offerings by the club that often opens its doors for business and community fundraisers. The club celebrated its 40th anniversary last year and welcomed the community to tour the private club and courses.

Scouts to host sporting clays fundraiser
METAMORA — The Tall Pine Council Boy Scouts of America will once again draw hundreds to its 12th annual fundraising shoot at Hunters Creek Club on Aug. 8.

The largest special-event fundraiser for the council, the shoot welcomes all levels and all ages to compete for trophies in various divisions. Newcomers are just as welcome as veterans to the lunch, shooting, wild game dinner and auction that follows the target shooting. Side games, mulligans for purchase and raffles are just part of the fun.

Charlie Mann of Hunters Creek Club has been instrumental in the success of the fundraising efforts that began to struggle with participation in its third year after Buick Motor Division, the tournament’s launch sponsor, turned its attentions elsewhere. Mann stepped in to help recruit area businesses, outdoors lovers and others to turn the event around, said John Schlobohm, assistant scout executive, at last year’s highest attended event. Lifesee and others within and outside Scouting are also credited with using their collective creative minds to turn the event into one of the year’s most anticipated events.

And, although the annual popcorn sales remain the biggest fundraiser for the Tall Pine Council, the broad interest that comes from shooting sports draws a wide range of shooters each year. Golf outings are often used as fundraisers, but Schlobohm pointed out that many of the shooters have never golfed, but because of their hunting or shooting backgrounds are more than willing to bust a few clays to help. Many have been involved in scouting at some time in their life and just want to give back to help the current scouts.

Because of the shoot, improvements to the scouts’ archery and shooting ranges were possible with added help from Safari Club International. Shooting sports merit badges are in the top five sought by scouts.

This year’s event still has openings, station sponsorships and volunteer opportunities. Individuals can register for $180 and fivesomes pay $900. Cost includes 70-bird shoot, lunch, wild game dinner, auction, non-alcoholic refreshments, goodie bag and lots of fun. Attendees can form their own squads and individuals will be placed in squads on site. The shoot is limited to the first 200 shooters, so sign up now at www.tpcbsa.org or call 810-235-2531.

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