There is no one more disappointed than the ATA management and staff that the Grand will not be in Sparta this year. We look forward to returning to our home in Sparta in 2021.
It has been our practice for many years to have the Grand program in your hands by June 1. Due to the unusual circumstances this year we created two separate drafts of the program, one for Sparta, and one for Missouri. When Missouri became the location, we continued the effort to complete that program, send it to the printer, and posted it on
www.shootata.com and
www.aim4ata.com. Due to the unavoidable delay in releasing the program to the printer, you may receive the program after pre-squadding opens on July 8 at 7:00 pm.
With 60 trap fields, the Missouri facility has the second largest trap line and shooter capacity in the nation, however it is approximately half that of the World Shooting Complex at 121 fields.
If you plan to attend the Grand, it is highly recommended that you pre-squad. This will aid shoot management in planning the shoot, accessing the need to make any attendance related decisions, and hopefully avoid disappointments to our members. As stated in the program, any positions unpaid on the first event of any day, 30 minutes in advance of that event, may result in all positions for that shooter for that day being forfeited. Also, drinking water may not be available on the trap line due to health restrictions. Please be prepared to furnish your own drinking water.
The Grand American management team will be managing the Grand American at Missouri. You will see many of the individuals who you have come to know at Sparta for many years.
We are grateful to the Missouri Trapshooters Association officials and staff for welcoming us to their facility to host the Grand American. They have gone to extreme lengths to accommodate our every need and request possible. This event will likely stress the maximum limits of their facility; however, they are making all efforts to accommodate as many ATA members as possible. Please thank them when you have the opportunity.
This tournament will also be a tremendous challenge to the ATA staff. There are many amenities in Sparta that are not available in Missouri, so some inventive improvisation has become necessary. We will be grateful to you for your patience and understanding as we address these challenges and add another page to the trapshooting record book.
Sincerely,
Lynn A. Gipson
Executive Director
