Setting Goals for the Upcoming Sporting Clay Season

Ok Folks,
Do you have this season's goals set? Often I hear that a student's goal is to move up in class....fair enough, I can see that......but realize, if that is the case, you need to plan your calender accordingly. If your goal is to move up, you have to not only improve your shooting ability [and of course your competing ability], you have to go to where the punches can be earned. Drives me nuts when shooters go on and on about wanting to move up in class, but wonder why its not happening fast enough when they never go to any shoots of any size. The more shooters, the more punches available.

There is a whole world of sporting clays out there folks.....they don't just throw them at your home club. They even throw them in other states. Plan some trips....test yourself against new courses. To me, that is the real challenge in our sport.

Best Regards,

Will

The weather has finally broken....its WARM outside!

Heading down to Hermitage Farms for to give a few hours of sporting clay instruction, and its supposed to get up to 66 degrees! Hallelujah! I might be able to wear shorts. It will finally feel to me like the season has begun.

Now its time to get serious. The SEMINOLE CUP is just around the corner.

Best,

Will

Feb. Trip to Ga. for Sporting Clay Instruction at Big Red Oak, with Help from PMS Firearms

Folks,
I'm going to make it one more time to Big Red Oak, in Gay Georgia, before Seminole Cup. I'll  there Feb 5-8, and have started booking time slots now. Also, I'll be joined by Mike and Granny Sherman of PMS firearms, and they will be set up in their mobile showroom/gunsmithing trailer there on the property. Mike does shotgun tune-ups, repairs, gun fitting, stock alterations[ Best Recoil pad installation I have ever seen] . His MUCH better half, Mrs Granny, makes the best molded ear plugs, either molded only, or electronic ESP's, out there. They also carry quite a bit of shooting/gun accesories.

This will be a great oppourtunity to get your shooting technique, and your gear, into shape for the coming season!

I would suggest booking your appointment directly with PMS by going to their website and emailing or calling them.... PMS Firearms

For lessons with me, contact me via email willfennell@willfennell.com or call me @ 803-517-4216.

Best,

Will

More News From GAMEBORE/INTASPORT- East Coast Distribution!

Good news for east coast sporting clay shooters, IntaSport, the Texas based importer of Gamebore shotshells from the UK, now has a warehouse in the southeastern US. IntaSport now has a base of operations in South Carolina that will mean lower cost shipping and faster service for shooters in the eastern US. Visit www.intasport.com for more information, or call John Imboden @ 404-384-1602. You can also email me with any questions @ willfennell@willfennell.com .

National Sporting Clays Assoc. Director Announced

I would like to congratulate Robert Crow, formerly of the head of the sporting clay facility at Nemacolin, as the new Director of the National Sporting Clay Association. Click  here for  the headline from the NSCA's website ....congrats to Robert, and I look forward to him bringing a fresh point of view to NSCA Headquarters in San Antonio. Its time to take the great sport of Sporting Clays to the next level.

The new year is looking better and better,

Best,

Will

Cold weather shooting,,,,,the gear.....

Folks,
I shot a bit of clays this past weekend, and the topic of everyone's discussion was how cold it was, weather it was going to rain or not, and how shooter's hate shooting wear heavy clothing. So naturally friends and students wanted to know how I deal with this conundrum. Well here is the most common piece of gear I use this time of year..... the Beretta Wind Barrier Sweater. They are warm wool, with a membrane liner that is totally wind proof, and water resistant. You get a warm outer garment, that is totally windproof, has some stretch to it so you are not restricted with your gun mount, and it looks sharp to boot! Highly recommended.....


Orvis Beretta Wind Barrier Shooting Sweater

I was also wearing a new pair of boots.....a nice Christmas gift from my father, and I think they have earned a spot in the traveling gear box in my truck. These are boots from the Muck Boot Company....they are warm, dry, easy on and off, and just wash them off with the hose when they get filthy.....

MuckBoots Adult Scrub Boot,Garden Green,Men's 11 M/Women's 12 M

Best,

Will

Wet day @ Rocky Creek Sporting Clays, but the new club house is looking GOOD!

Well folks, we got a little flooded out for part of the day @ Rocky Creek, but we were still able to shoot a bit, and those that stayed for the oysters, thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Hall Rogers[manager] is always a great host, even if David Chestnutt[owner] does get in Hall's way a bit and "help out". A great time was had by all!

Lots of construction underway @ Rocky Creek. The Flurry Station platform is finished, with a Promatic Huntsman trap array below the shooters feet. Shooters LOVE the flurry game.....be sure to try it on your next visit.

Then, there is the new club house....

.................that should be finished sometime before spring. Here is a pic of the front door, with Dad, Jeff Phifer, and Hall.

The main room has a great stone fireplace......

For those that haven't been to Rocky Creek, here is a view from the club house down to the covered 5 stand, and out on the course...

......where the course winds down along the banks of Rocky  Creek. Great course, great club....come by and visit when you are in the area. Best Regards, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Will

The weather is looking good for tomorrow @ Rocky Creek Sporting Clays!

Folks,
Tomorrow is looking good.....sunny weather......after the bleak Christmas Day, its looking good. Friendly round of clays[ its a 2 man team fun shoot ], see all my friends, work with the kids some, and fresh OYSTERS afterward. Possibly even and adult beverage[ after the guns are cased of course!]......it will be a great day.

Merry Christmas to All!

Will