TFOX. I resent being told I' m prejudiced. I have issues with the open class on levels you don' t have a clue about.

I have been a club officer, in two different clubs (not at the same time, obviously), for the past 17 years with only one short break. My opinions are based on long term observation of what has been going on, from a club management standpoint, as a tournament competitor and as a tournament director. I can honestly tell you that, around here anyway, it is a very rare individual that competes in open class or NFAA freestyle that will ever stoop to such menial tasks as filling water jugs, running a weedeater or setting out targets for a shoot. They are only slightly more liable to actually attend club meetings and vote on issues important to the club. Considering all the trouble that is caused by the class, the drop in tournament participation because of their shooting habits and often nasty attitudes (I know that as fact) and the lack of support from them, AS A GROUP, they are worse than worthless when it comes down to the bottom line.

You might ask HOW I know why participation fell. I' m a club officer and when you see a trend like that, you investigate. I got on the phone and called former members and asked why they quit shooting. And now I' ve found out about that nasty lie that' s been told about our club and is now floating around. Again participation drops at the hands of open class shooters.

That is not prejudice talking, my friend. That' s sad experience.

Fun shoots. As someone that is actually involved in putting on tournaments for our club, I can tell you exactly what a fun shoot is for. And what it' s NOT for. It' s NOT for high level competition practice while everyone else is out for a day of shooting and socializing.

And yes, I have had a goal or two in my life. Thanks so much for asking.

By the way, since our club has been abandoned by the compound segment of shooters, we' ve done just fine. Tradtitionalists LOVE to shoot our place simply because the compounds aren' t there. Since our club is open to all equipment, it' s not the way I' d like to have things, but that' s the way it is. Since there are no all traditional clubs in our neck of the woods, I think we could do quite well as an all trad club. I believe there may be a vote coming up on that in the not-to-distant future.