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Updated: January 30, 2012
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SINGLES CHAMP |
DOUBLES CHAMP |
HANDICAP CHAMP |
ALL-AROUND CHAMP |
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BUDDY DRISCOLL |
MIKE BLAISDELL |
DOUG WHITON |
BUDDY DRISCOLL |
Hats off to the Pelham Clays Commitee and the NHTA officers for making the 2011 NHSS, by all measures, a very successful and well run shoot (including the weather). Congradulations to singles and all-around champ Buddy Driscoll (the guy with the red wood), doubles champ Mike Blaisdell and handicap champ Doug Whiton. For all scores please go to the 2011 NHSS.
Once again the Cheshire County Fish and Game took home Saturday's Team Race with Pelham Fish & Game coming in a close second. Following are the top five shooters from each club:
| CCF&G | PF&G | ||
| Buddy Driscoll | 197 | Matt Szczechura | 195 |
| Bill Weston | 195 | Dan Bolduc | 192 |
| Mike Blaisdell | 193 | Jim Sweet | 192 |
| Jim Gallagher | 193 | Dan Giarrusso | 191 |
| Jordan Kibbee | 190 | Steve Szczechura/Jason Green | 190 |
| 968 | 960 |
Click on the following link to see about 330 pictures taken by Jimmy Giarrusso mostly but some by Pete Tomaini:
https://picasaweb.google.com/111827518268395234649/2011NHSScombo?authkey=Gv1sRgCP6e-ZnA79uFMw
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2011 NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE SHOOT
Get ready, it's coming......the 111th NH State Shoot. Phil Wright, who prepares the program, sent along an electronic version (.pdf) for your perusal which you may view by clicking on the Hall of Fame logo.
The reason the HoF logo is used is because, as you've probably heard by now, Phil has received the singular honor of being named a 2011 inductee into this most prestigious group representing the best our sport has to offer over the years. For a small recognition the 2011 NH State Shoot pin was designed to recognize Phil's upcoming induction:
It was also intended to dedicate the 2011 State Shoot to Phil , but since he edits and controls the program, we failed to pull that off in a timely manner and, since Phil was too modest to do it himself, we are forced to issue the following proclamation:
"On behalf of the officers and members of the New Hampshire Trapshooting Association we hereby dedicate the 2011 New Hampshire State Shoot to ATA Hall of Fame inductee Phillip Wright in recognition of this prestigious honor, his 2002 term as ATA President and fifty some years of leading New Hampshire shooter's with his various roles as a champion shooter, state officer and ATA delegate."
Robert "Buddy" Hackett, NHTA President
p.s.-God Bless you Susan!
___________________________________________________________
May 1, 2011
Jake's Tom
Between Mike, Jake, Theresa, and Jeff we picked up a lot of hunting pictures this season. In order straighten things out a little we started a new section called the "Hunter's Club". Check it out and see Jake's 21# Tom taken at 6:30AM onthe opening day of the NH Youth Season.
(click on the "Hunter's Club" box on the left)
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May 7, 2011
Odds and Ends
Date changes for Montpelier:
Due to delays in installing a shot curtain the traditional Memorial Day Shoot (5/28-29) will be cancelled and the Vermont State Shoot rescheduled to July 29-31.
Date changes for Pelham:
In order to get off the same date as Leominster and Scarborough, Pelham has decided to move their shoot to May 22nd. Peterborough has a marathon on that date but Doug and Steve have agreed it will not be a problem. Please make the change on the website.
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May 7, 2011
2011 Eastern Zone Program
If you would like an electonic copy of the Eastern Zone program, which will be held in Elysburg 7/21/11 to 7/24/11, just click on the Peter's ammo box below:
___________________________________________________________
New MATA Web Site
Check out MATA's new web site at www.massata.com. Note that the MATA 2011
Shoot Schedule not only lists all registered shoot dates but provides the means to
print out a .pdf version of the MA State Shoot program.
___________________________________________________________
Southern Skies (or Damn Yankees)
Quite a few New Hampshire trap shooters, as
well as fellow shooters from adjacent states,
simply gave up on the beautiful New England
winter and sacrificed a few days (in some cases
all of them) and dragged their shotguns down
to sunny Florida to shoot the cob webs out of
them. Between the Dixie Grand, the Southern Grand and the Florida State Shoot the
following folks were seen wandering around the Silver Dollar in Odessa: Mike Rush,
Steve Blain, John Chick, Dean Adams, Jim Giarrusso, Felipe Garcia, Jake Levin, Don
Linger, Stu Patenaude, Steve Szczechura, Matt Szczechura, Al Smigelski, Al
Smigelski, Jr, Pete Tomaini, Bobby Scott, Carl Kazen, Evelyn Kazen, David Jewell,
Jacob Papas, Richard Martin, Mike Lavalle, Linda Lavelle, Steve Bigras, Mylon
Teachout, Vince Conti, Cee Cee Anzaldi, Clayton Dill & Cal Stinson (and probably
others we missed). For NH shooters trophies are listed in "NH Hotshots" while other
NE winners included Carl Kazen, Steve Bigras, Bobby Scott and Cal Stinson can be
seen on www.rjstuart.com . Longtime NH shooter Dick Betz was conspicuously
absent from these shoots but was visited by Steve Blain and Cal Stinson at his Safety
Harbor home. The latter reported Dick is not 100% but feeling better (enough to go
out for dinner). Dick recently achieved his longtime goal of registering 500,000 (yes,
a half million) 16 yard targets.
Congratulations Dick!
Click on Southern Grand pin to see photos
(photos from Jim Giarrusso, Bobby Scott and Pete Tomaini)
https://picasaweb.google.com/111827518268395234649/FLTRAP?authkey=
Gv1sRgCM3o3uSXhoj4Cg#
____________________________________________________________________________
Lillian Burns
(Hudson,NH-Message from JoAnn and Dave Burns)
well as their children Mike and Julie, requested that their friends in the trap shooting
community be notified sadly that Lillian's ordeal is over and also so they could again
thank them for all the support their family received during this very difficult time.
The Burnses indicated that this help came in many ways all of which was deeply appreciated.
published in the Nashua Telegraph:
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/opinionperspectives/905080-263/
__________________________________________________________________________
ATA Organizational Changes
In regards to the rather lengthy discussions at the NHTA's 2010 Winter
Meeting NH shooters may be interested in reading the following
organizational update issued by the ATA.
http://www.shootata.com/pdfs/ATA_Reorg_Update.pdf
Note: If above link fails go to www.shootata.com and click on News
_________________________________________________________________________
Phil Wright~2011 ATA Hall of Fame
Inductee
This may be a little premature but since the 2011 ATA Hall of Fame enshrinees,
David Berlet, Patrick McCarthy and Phil Wright were listed in Trap & Field without
a lot of fanfare we'll cover some of Phil's achievements now with more to come as
we approach the official induction at next year's Grand American. First of all, in the
photo below, that youngster on the left is Phil in 1965 when he won his first state
title (Singles Champ 98X100 and also junior titlist) at Major Waldron. Since that
"lucky" win Phil has managed to win only about 56 more state titles and is still going
strong. In addition to that T&F says he won the Grand Doubles Championship at
Vandalia in 1977, 7 Eastern Zone championships and was selected an All-American
14 times so far. We have no idea how many non-resident state trophies, Grand
trophies, EZ trophies he has won but it's probably not safe to use a magnetic
compass closer than a half mile from Phil's home. In addition to his winning ways
Phil has, in addition, given back to the sport by serving as NH state delegate about
36 years along with five years as VP culminating in his 2002 ATA presidency.
Speaking of the presidency the kid no longer wears that funny cap and has replaced
it with three white ones with gold letters that either say "Vice President", "President"
or "Past President". Also he no longer wears a vest but one of about a 100 T-shirts
he has that are imprinted "2002 Grand American-Phil Wright President". The Model
12 is also gone but that's another story. So Phil, already inducted into the Eastern
Zone HofF will be joining a select group of the country's greatest shooters totaling
about 157 men and woman who have excelled in the sport of trapshooting. For this
rare and distinct honor the shooters of New Hampshire salute you.
From Phil:"I am honored to be in such company. I have been fortunate over my 50 years
of shooting to have experienced considerable success. Shooting has given a lot to me and
I am proud to have been able to give back to the sport. I hope I still have a few good
years left in me."
Two Hall-of-Famers: Phil and the Big Pineapple
Please see the above January 2011 issue of Trap & Field for a detailed write-up of Phil's
career, accomplishments and contributions.
___________________________________________________________________________
William M. Anzaldi, Jr.
1946~2010
ATA President 2010-2011
The NHTA joins in offering their sincere condolences on Bill's passing.
There will be a wake for Bill Anzaldi at Mc Laughlin/Dello Russo Funeral Home on Sunday,
November 28th from 2 to 7pm. The address is 60 Pleasant Street, Woburn, MA, 01801-4132.
Telephone number is 781-933-0083. Monday there will be a prayer service for Bill at the funeral
home at 10:00am. Later friends and family will be directed to the Minute Man Sportsman’s Club
for a reception.
Please see the above January 2011 issue of Trap & Field for an excellent tribute to
Bill's career, accomplishments and contributions.
____________________________________________________________________________
NHTA Fall Meeting
NHTA ANNUAL MEETING
It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is less than one week away! The trap
shooting year has come and gone. That means that it’s time for the NHTA
annual meeting. The meeting will be held on Friday, December 3rd at
Pelham Fish & Game Club in the main clubhouse @ 6:30 PM. A hot meal will
be served prior to the meeting.
Pelham Fish and Game continues to solidify its registered shooting program
and based on the success of this year’s state shoot we anticipate that
Pelham will want to host again in 2011. We are heartened by the response
from those attending the state shoot. Even though attendance was a little
lighter than we wanted to see, the shoot went great. The Pelham Clays
Committee and the NHTA volunteers worked superbly as a team to show
the shooters a good time. Your executive committee thanks all those
involved in making the 2010 state shoot a success and looks forward to
making the 2011 shoot even better.
Other agenda items will be:
State Shoot program and trophies
Announcement of the State Team
Financial report
ATA delegate’s report
Election of officers
For those planning on attending the meeting, please RSVP by Monday
November 29th so the proper amount of food can be ordered. Contact Phil
Wright by e-mail or phone. Contact information is:
pwright948@myfairpoint.net
or 882-3063.
We will also be collecting the NHTA 2011 shooting year dues at the meeting.
If you are unable to attend the meeting please enclose $5.00 for each
member along with the name of each member. Please see Phil Wright for
your card over the course of the shooting season.
Yours truly,
NHTA Officers
_________________________________________________________
Autumn Grand -Tucson, Arizona
More New Hampshire folks out west! Felipe Garcia sent in the following:
Just got back from the Autumn grand in Tucson. It was warm and sunny, I have sent
you a snap shot of the leader board for the Handicap championship. As you can see I
shot a 97 in that event. I went into a shoot off for 4th thru 7th and I finally got 5th
place and was beat by Sean Hawley 24 to 23 he took 4th a total of 343 competed in
this event. While out there I saw Ron Sevgny who shot the whole week and old Joe
Hammond who only shot the weekend like myself. The week was very windy, but
the sun was great (unlike here). I’m sure that if you go to their web site you can see
the results.
Nice shooting Felipe. You get to be the first entry on the "NH Hotshots" list for the
2010-2011 target year. Did you make the 27?
___________________________________________________________________________
Some Fall Shooting
If you haven't got enough shooting in 2010 here are a few more end of the
year shoots, one registered and one a fun shoot. The registered shoot is at
Scarborough 10/17 and the fun shoot is at Major Waldron. Questions
contact Joe Hall (joehall@fairpoint.net) or Bob Sherwood
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ATA & MTA REGISTERED TRAP SHOOT AT SCARBOROUGH FISH & GAME CLUB Sunday October 17, 2010 The Scarborough Maine Trap Club will host a registered shoot at the Scarborough Fish & Game Club on Sunday October 17, 2010. All ATA rules will govern the events and scores will be forwarded to the ATA and MTA for entry in their official records. Registration begins at 8:00 A.M. and the shoot will start at 9:00. Please have your cards up to date to prevent any unnecessary delays. Juniors & Sub-juniors may elect to shoot the program targets for half price but in doing so will be ineligible to play any Lewis or win any added money. Juniors & Sub-juniors who elect to pay full price will be eligible to play the Lewis options and win added money. |
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EVENT #1 200 16 Yard Singles TargetsTargets $42.00 ATA Daily Fee $ 2.00 MTA Daily Fee $ 2.00 Classes AA – 97% and above A – 94% and under 97% B – 91% and under 94% C – 88% and under 91% D – under 88% $200.00 $$$$ ADDED MONEY $$$$ $50.00 to the Champion and $30.00 to each Class winner* *required minimum of 2 entries per class Optional $10.00 Lewis. 1 class per 10 entries, 3 classes max 3 places divided 50-30-20 High-Gun Trophies Trophies to Champion, 5 class winners and 4 categories. Champion not eligible for class awards. Ladies, Veterans, Juniors & Sub-Juniors are eligible for other than category. |
EVENT #2 100 Handicap Targets Targets $21.00 ATA Daily Fee * $ 2.00 MTA Daily Fee* $ 2.00 *Daily fees not applicable if paid in event #1. $85.00 $$$$ ADDED MONEY $$$$ $25.00 to the Champion and $15.00 2nd through 5th place $$$ HANDICAP MIDDLE 50 $$$ ENTRY - $10.00 25% of total entry money goes to the high middle 50 that day. A 50 straight in the middle 50 wins the entire purse. Ties divide. SF&GC has started the purse with $100.00. Money not won will carry over to the next shoot. The purse is currently $165.00.The purse is estimated to be $300.00 and will be paid out in full on October 17th. The high middle 50 scores on those days will win whatever money has accumulated to that point. Optional $10.00 Lewis. 1 class per 10 entries, 3 classes max 3 places divided 50-30-20 High-Gun Trophies Trophies to Champion and 2nd through 5th place. |
EVENT #3 50 Pair of Doubles Targets (to be shot concurrently with events 1 & 2) Targets $21.00 ATA Daily Fee * $ 2.00 MTA Daily Fee* $ 2.00 *Daily fees not applicable if paid in event #1 or #2. Classes A – 90% and above B – 85% and under 90% C – 78% and under 85% D – under 78% $85.00 $$$$ ADDED MONEY $$$$ $25.00 to the Champion and $15.00 to each Class winner* *required minimum of 2 entries per class Optional $10.00 Lewis. 1 class per 10 entries, 3 classes max 3 places divided 50-30-20 High-Gun Trophies Trophies to Champion and the 4 Class winners. Champion is not eligible for class awards. Trophy to the High over-all Champion (Total of all 3 events) |
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Something New for the 2011 Grand
Click on the ATA logo to get the details of LeeAnn Martin's $200,000 Lewis
Challenge for the 2011 Grand American. Note that the $100,000 Grand
American Challenge will return to the 2011 Grand American as well. Maybe
it would be a financially rewarding time for some of you sandbagger's to
visit Sparta.
___________________________________________________________
Mike Blaisdell and Associates
Click on the Winchester Flyer to view a nice video, put together by WMUR
in Manchester, featuring the fabulous Blaisdell family of Keene, NH.
(aka Mike, Theresa and Jake).
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September 5, 2010
Royalston, MA
New Plate, New Truck
Pictured below is NH shooter Ron Frazier, of Brookline, sporting his new wheels and new
license plate at Royalston's Labor Day Shoot and MATA cook-out. In case the truck is from
before your time it's a 1949 Ford Pick-Up that hasn't been restored, it's orignal and mint!!!
_________________________________________________________________________
Some Early NH History
The above ad, published on 9/15/06 in the American Shooter, was provided to me by
Phil Wright, who in turn received it from ATA Hall of Fame Director Kenny Ray Estes.
It is interesting for a couple of reasons in that it probably confirms the claim of the
Exeter Gun Club is/was the oldest shooting club in the state and, of course, because
the NH team won the "National ClayTournament" in Chicago held in 1884. We can
only guess what this tournament was but here aresome pertinent facts:
1-United States Cartridge (manufacturing) was located in Lowell, MA and was a
competitor, at that time, of Western Cartridge and Union Metallic Cartridge (in that
the latter two companies had not been purchased yet by Winchester and Remington
respectively).
2-1884 was the first year the ammunition companies began to sell factory loaded
shotshells. Winchester was selling black powder shells for $11 per thousand
(smokeless not available until 1894).
3-In 1880 George Ligowsky of Cincinatti created the clay target but in 1884 Fred
Kimble invented the composite clay target, which in addition to clay used coal tar
and pitch, and was a lot more breakable than Ligowsky's target (similar to today's
targets). It was called the Peoria Blackbird.
4-The introduction of hammerless single and side by side shotguns started in 1890.
5-The first trapshooting organization, the American Shooting Association, was
founded in 1890 (and the Interstate Assoc. and ATA much later). The ATA HofF
timeline does state, perhaps in error, that the first national trapshooting tournament
was staged in New Orleans in 1885 but says nothing of its sponsor.
So to recap one could speculate that these five well heeled gents from Exeter took
their factory loaded blackpowder shells and 12 gauge hammer guns to Chicago by
train (via Boston) and shot at the first national claybird tournament throwing
Kimble's Peoria Blackbirds and won it!
Pete
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Thanks
A special note from JoAnn and Dave Burns:
State Shoot, who were so generous as to donate to our children Mike & Julie for their little angel
Lillian who is so sick and has spent the first 6 weeks since her birth in intensive care nursery at
Dartmouth in Lebanon, N.H. Our children are thankful and very appreciative of all the help. We
will keep you all in our thoughts as we pray for our sweet Lillian.
Thank you so very much,
Dave, JoAnn, Mike, Julie, and Lillian
2010 New Hampshire State Shoot
The 110th NH State Shoot was held at Pelham Fish and Game and was a
success on all levels including a good turn out (of both resident and non-
resident shooters), good weather, good management and good shooting.
Special thanks to the members of the Pelham Clay Committee (Jason, Steve,
Dave, George, Nicole, Leo and I'm sure others) as well as the officers of the
NHTA (Buddy, Dan, Phil and again others). Additional thanks to Sue Wright
and Theresa Blaisdell for doing a fantastic job with the trophies and to Stu
Patenaude for donating $500 of prize money on behalf of Pat-Trap.
The highlight of the shoot was the amazing performances of Kate Anderson
and Mike Blaisdell in Saturday's single championship. Both shot perfect
200X200 scores and when they met later in the afternoon kept this
awesome shooting going 25/25/25/25/25 for Kate and 25/25/25/25/24
for Mike. Congratulations to both new NH resident Kate Anderson and 2010
All-American Mike Blaisdell. Kate becomes the first woman to win the
singles championship and the second woman to win a championship event
outright with Mary Beth Lewis winning the handicap title in the 2008 NHSS.
A nice consolation for Mike was that with his runner-up title in Event 4 he
joined wife Theresa, the ladies champ, and son Jake, the sub-junior champ,
in performing the first family Hat Trick in NHTA state shoot history.
The NH Club Race held concurrently with Saturday's Event 4 was won decisively
by the highlander's from the Cheshire County Fish & Game with their top five
shooters shooting a 990X1000 to Pelham's 967X1000. Again the traveling trophy
heads west and the photo below shows the plaque being presented to Jake
Blaisdell representing Cheshire.
To see addional information click on following:
___________________________________________________________________________
The "Wright" Stuff
In case you haven't seen it, under the Accomplishments tab, is a listing
called "NH Hot Shots" that attempts to recognize the accomplishments of
NH shooters at significant shoots across the country. In reviewing and
updating the listing it is impossible not to notice the accomplishments so
far of the dynamic duo from Hudson. Yes, that's Phil and Sue Wright and
together this year they've dragged home some sixteen trophies from just
three shoots. So in the spirit of fairness, since we've been spotlighting our
younger shooters, lets give these "mature" shooters (sorry Sue) a big hand
and the wish that the remainder of the season is equally as good (or better).
Incidentally, in the article below we talked about Jake beating Mike
someday and ironically Phil has a similar and maybe more serious problem
of getting beat by Susan. It seems, for example, that in Event 6 at
Montpelier Phil admits he had to hustle to tie Sue's 92 shot with her old
Remington 1100 and, yes, they both shot from the 27 yardline.
(p.s.-please feel free to send in your accomplishments because we just don't see everything
in a timely manner. Your help would be appreciated)
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Some New NH ATA Registered Shooters
Kate Anderson*
Jake Blaisdell
Matt Lessard
Al Smigelski
Al Smigelski, Jr.
Frank Culbertson*
* Kate and Frank (both accomplished shooters) are not new to trapshooting
but only to the Granite State. Kate from RI and Frank from MA.
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New Hampshires Newest Sub-Junior
Almost 35 years to the day All-American Mike Blaisdell shot his first
registered ATA targets at the Montpelier Gun Club (MGC) in Berlin, VT. That
day was Saturday May 29th 2010 when Mike's son Jake took to the line to
shoot his first registered targets at the MGC during their Memorial Day
Shoot. Jake shot a very respectable 145X200.
When classifying Dennis DeVaux likes to consider known ability so could
he be wondering if there's anything genetic to take into account? Take a l
ook at the horsepower in his first squad starting with his Mom Theresa
followed by Dennis DeVaux, Collin Bigras and Dad Mike. Good shooting
Jake and welcome aboard. We're counting on you to outshoot the "old
man" one of these days (Collin can tell you how).
___________________________________________________________________________
110th New Hampshire State Shoot
Mark your calendar for July 9-11 and plan to attend the state shoot being
held again at Pelham Fish & Game. Click on the 2010 State Pin below to get
a preview of the 2010 Program sent along by Phil Wright.
4/3/2010-The Villages, FL
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Remember When ........
Jim Bellinghieri previously from Nashua and Derry, NH and now The Villages
, FL passed along this 22 year old picture from the 3rd Northeast Grand
(1988) at the NYSATA Homegrounds in Cicero, NY. Any of you folks who
have participated in this satellite grand over the years should have no
trouble relating to these photos. Left to right Bob Raymond (Seagull),
Dan Ross, Jim, Lee Partridge and Jim Meyers.
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3/22/2010-Odessa, FL
Southern Grand
A number of NH folks (and probably some I missed) took advantage of the mostly
cold, windy & wet Florida weather to start the 2010 season at the Silver Dollar.
There could be more but those participating and those competing included Don Linger,
Felipe Garcia, John Chick, Stu Patenaude, Jack McDonald, Sue Wright, Phil Wright,
Mike Blaisdell & Pete Tomaini. Don Linger took E2 SVRU caps with a 92, Mike Blaisdell
shot a 95 in E3 dbls for class AAA RU, Jack McDonald shot 100 16s for E7 Vet RU,
and finally Phil took two trophies for E8 caps 4th place with a 95 and E13 dbls class AA
RU with a 97. Phil shot good caps and doubles while Mike shot well at singles.
Ironically Mike shot at 500 singles during the week and hit 498 of them for a 99.6
average and appears to have nothing to show for it.
2/15/2010-The Villages, FL
MAPLEWOOD, NH
While browsing through Dick Baldwin's book The Road to Yesterday I came
upon this interesting old program for the ninth annual registered trap
shooting tournament, presented under the auspices of the White Mountain
Trapshooting Association:
Since our state shoot records indicate that we held our shoots there from
1938 until 1942 I was curious to learn more. It turns out that the
Maplewood, NH shoot was one of the East's most popular tournaments
from 1915 to the start of WWII and that that The Maplewood was a grand
hotel with rail service that obviously catered to the well-to-do. I believe our
shoots were an accommodation and shot as part of other events. In looking
at the links below it's unclear if there ever was a Maplewood, NH as the
hotel was apparently in Bethlehem, NH. For a little information on the
history of the hotel, which burned down in 1946, check out this site:
http://www.maplewoodgolfresort.com/history.php
To see a copy of a New York Times article from 1920 check this site:
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9A06E7DA1031E433A25757C0A9619C946195D6CF
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1/25/2010-Keene, NH
MIKE BLAISDELL~ALL-AMERICAN
The ATA, in a just issued press release, announced that New Hampshire shooter Mike Blaisdell
has been selected to the 2010 men's first team. This honor marks Mike's eighth All-American
title since 2000 with two first team berths and six on the men's second team. P.S.-that kid
across the river that Mike coaches also made the Junior first team. Congradulations to Mike
(and Collin).
IMMEDIATE RELEASE—January 2010
VANDALIA, Ohio—Michael Blaisdell of Keene, N.H., has been selected to the 2010 men’s
All-American trapshooting team, according to the Amateur Trapshooting Association
(ATA), which determines the teams. More than 100 years old, trapshooting is a
competitive sport of shooting at clay targets with a shotgun. This is the eighth time
since 2000 that Blaisdell has been named an All-American.
The ATA hosts both the Grand American (the 11-day world tournament which in August
drew almost 3,500 contestants to the World Shooting & Recreational Complex, in Sparta,
Ill.) and a series of "satellite" Grands (smaller, regional tournaments providing
Grand American-style trophies and competition). The association also sponsors five
zone shoots.
At the Grand American, Blaisdell won three awards. He earned second place in the
class doubles trophy with a perfect score of 100, finished sixth in the Remington
Nitro 27 handicap event with 99, and landed 10th place in the prestigious Grand
American Handicap with 99 from the 27-yard line among 1,980 competitors.
Blaisdell netted points at the Southern Satellite Grand winning AAA runnerup awards
in two doubles events. He also won top honors in a preliminary handicap with 99 and
the AAA prize in the high-over-all with 977x1,000. In singles and doubles, a shooter
is ranked from AAA through D, depending on his or her current average. Shooters
carrying the highest averages go into Class AAA.
At the New Hampshire State Shoot, Blaisdell earned seven trophies, including the
titles in the doubles and all-around championship races.
He earned additional points toward All-American team selection for his trophies and
scores while competing at the Eastern Zone and Pennsylvania state tournaments as well
as the Colonial Classic and Keystone Open in Pennsylvania. In addition, Blaisdell
placed 15th among all ATA competitors for his all-around average of .9721.
To be considered for the All-American team, Blaisdell had to meet a minimum target
requirement, and he had to have competed in at least three states. Selection was made
based on points the shooter accumulated while winning trophies and posting high scores
at tournaments throughout the country during the 2009 target year.
Established in 1923, the ATA promotes and governs the sport of trapshooting,
primarily in the United States and Canada. In the 2009 target year, nearly 30,000
members participated in the sport, competing in one or more of the over 6,500
sanctioned tournaments (shoots registered by the ATA organization) on the local,
regional, state, zone and world championship levels.
Trapshooters fire at clay targets (approximately 4-1/4 inches in diameter and 1-1/8
inch in height) launched at varying angles. In singles events, all entrants stand at
the 16-yard line and fire at one target at a time; in handicap, participants are
assigned a yardage from 19 to 27 yards (according to averages and known ability) and
fire at one target at a time; in doubles, two targets are released at the same time
and each contestant, standing at the 16-yard line, is allowed one shot for each.
Trapshooting celebrities have included Annie Oakley, John Philip Sousa and Roy Rogers.
The sport’s stats and records are chronicled and maintained by Trap & Field, the
official magazine of the ATA.
If you are interested in trying trapshooting, call the ATA at 937-898-4638 or visit
the association’s web site www.shootata.com to find a local club near you.
--end--
Trap Tags
If you haven't looked at them in awhile scroll down and checkout the
license plates with trap related terminology. There are now 40 plates and
with the cost of vanity plates doubling in NH you might not see some of
these much longer. How many do you recognize?
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News and Notes 
