Successful shoot

Over 60 participate in Williams Sportsman's Club's first event at Williams Shooting Range

WILLIAMS - The Williams Sportsman's Club recently held its inaugural shooting event Aug. 29 at the city of Williams Shooting Range.

In a show of support, three established shooting clubs from around the state brought in all the equipment and set up crews to make the match possible. The United States Practical Shooting Association style practical pistol match was well attended with over 60 shooters, from cities throughout Arizona, competing for top honors in a six-stage course of fire layout that included competitors ranked nationally from master shooter to entry level competitors in various divisions.

Mike Phillips, club president and match director for the event, held a "new shooters" clinic prior to the match.

"We wanted shooters that were competent with their firearms but maybe unfamiliar with this type of event to be comfortable and know what to expect when they stepped up to the firing line," Phillips said.

Phillips went on to say several trained range officers were assigned to each of the six shooting squads that were actually "running" each shooter to ensure that all safety protocols were followed.

"We weren't sure how this particular range would 'perform' under these types of match conditions but the range performed beautifully with over 10,000 rounds expended during the match without incident for a safe and fun match," Phillips said.

Over half of the newly formed club's membership attended this first event, which was a fundraiser for the club. According to Phillips, funds raised at the match will be a great benefit in helping get the materials needed to fabricate additional range equipment and support the club's efforts to hold additional events and provide equipment on open range days for members.

Participants at the shooting event found the weekend's weather to be a factor in shooting performance.

"The weather proved to be a bit challenging on match day with an 'if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes because it's going to change' type of day with rain, hail, wind and sunshine trading places every 30 minutes or so," Phillips said. "Even so, all competitors said they had a great time and wanted to know when the club was going to hold its next match."

To join the Williams Sportsman's Club, gain access to the range and hear about upcoming events or other club information, visit www.williamssportsmansclub.org. Membership applications are available online, at the Williams Parks and Recreation Center and City Hall.