past Sanford SXS

[Bruce Day]

Bill Murphy is more optimistic than me that the shooting waits can be lessened. Its such an old problem, its been discussed so many times. To me, the Southern remains a great venue to greet old friends, meet new ones, get a little shooting done and look at guns, books, stuff. If a person really wants to burn powder, stay at your local club or if you live close by, join me at the same time in Nebraska at the Flatwater where you can shoot until your shoulder is sore for an inexpensive flat fee. Yes, you might not be in the station cage, but a person can be part of the line of shooters who will shoot a lost bird, or the bird at the next station. Bring your overalls, Hawaiian shirts, whatever but not tweeds or ties and you'll fit right in. Turn off the road at the fertilizer dealer, go past the cattle lot, down the muddy road, and you'll be there when you start seeing the Purdeys, Hollands, high grade Parkers, and bolt action Marlins.

[Harry Collins]

Automated traps
Four man squad
Shotgun start (10 stations with a squad on each shooting one single and two report pairs or two true pair)
A new group every one to one and a half hours

This eliminate the trappers and runs between 280 to 400 hundred shooters through the course if you started at 0800 and ended at 1800 (that's 8 AM to 6 PM). It almost took 10 hours to shoot 100 clays (two events) in a day the year I was fortunate enough to attend. The Southern is a wonderful event and I would come every year, shooting or no shooting, if things were a little better on this end. With a little work on Bill's part and commitment by the participants the Southern would run smooth as silk with only an hours or so per 50 bird event rather than half a day.

Harry

[Bill Murphy]

Bill Kempfler is a friend, and I would be glad to assist him in streamlining his course for the Southern. However, I assume he has NSCA shooters and promoters assisting him already, and I have not been involved in NSCA for several years. What I find strange is that the Southern is a business for Bill, and the money is leaking badly from the "course".

[Twice Shooter]

The first year I went to the Southern I talked to a good friend who said he had to wait over two hours at one station to shoot. Others said the same. I physically cannot stand around over two hours waiting to shoot at just one station. I don't know how many stations they shoot but I would be carried off the course on a stretcher. My body can't handle that type of physical punishment so all I shoot is the challenge and hammer event. This year I waited over an hour to shoot a practice round prior to the qualifying round and did not get to shoot the practice round. I also tried to shoot a practice round prior to the hammer event and did not because of the wait. Bill is loosing revenue and I think he knows it but he does not seem to mind. Happy shooters and selling targets does not appear to be a priority. My attendance fits into Bruce's catergory of a social event, which I enjoy greatly, and I will continue to socialize with all my many old, and I hope many new friends I meet there. But I won't try to shoot any of the events except the challenge and hammer event, with or without a practice round. Cheers, Tom

[Carl Beers]

The Southern has one goal for Bill; that is to make money. He obviously feels he can make more money from vendor tables than from shooters. I attended for several years; had a vendor table for one of those years. Found Bill's attitude one I could get along without, so I stopped attending. His targets never change; took along time to get him to add the second 5 stand and now you're saying he's discontinued it? Why am I not surprised. The Southern is a social event rather than a shooting event; I've found other places to interact with SxS enthusiasts and from visiting with recent Southern attendees I think many SxS folks are looking for other venues as well. It happens to fall right in the middle of turkey season and I find the woods much more enjoyable than Deep River....just my thoughts......Carl Beers

[Autumn Daze]

Thanks guys...I find all this conversation very interesting. For me I have wanted to attend for years but the feedback that I got from guys who have attended was just what you all have enforced. I want to shoot...When I attend the Vintagers I shoot...When I attend Hausmanns I shoot all I can.In fact I just now got a call from Anderson and the Michigan boys and they are having a great time at the UP Shoot.

Don,t get me wrong I really enjoy seeing old friends and making new ones and checking out great guns at these events but if I couldn,t shoot at least a little I would be left wanting.

[Bruce Day]

Originally Posted by Bruce Day

To me, the Southern remains a great venue to greet old friends, meet new ones, get a little shooting done and look at guns, books, stuff. If a person really wants to burn powder, stay at your local club or if you live close by, join me at the same time in Nebraska....

Of course a person can burn powder at the Southern, its a matter of how much. If a person thinks of it predominantly as a shooting event, he might be disappointed, but I think you have to look at the event as a whole. The vendors and getting together with PGCA people must be considered in my opinion. I like the Southern for those reasons. Some people come early, like Thurs and Fri to shoot a lot......Sat is the day for the crowds.

I wouldn't want something I say to be misquoted or taken out of context because that often changes the meaning.

[C grade]

Bill M
Why don't you talk to Bill K for us. I know he has had offers from professionals to help solve this problem. but has not taken advantage of the help. He seem only focused on the venders and their $. He is nice guy but is loosing some people he does not need to loose.
David

[Twice Shooter]

Mr. Suponski, If you want to shoot a bunch and spend time with Parker people and eat good sea food you should come to the Fall Classic at Backwoods Quail Club here in Georgetown SC in October. You will not find a better club or better shooting venue. But don't take my word for it. Talk to Mark Conrad, Dr. Truitt and others who have been here. Cheers, Tom

[Autumn Daze]

Thank You Tom,After all the good things I heard about the Fall Southern it's been in the back of my head.