2013 Shooting Industry Masters Wrangles $81,250 for Shooting Sports
OutdoorHub 07.29.13
Head honchos and hired guns from the firearms industry rode into the Cody Shooting Complex in Cody, Wyo., July 19-20 to participate in the 11th annual Shooting Industry Masters. The 313 competitors and 74 industry partners raised a record $81,250 for shooting programs.
“The generosity and support from the people in our industry is astounding,” said Randy Molde, Shooting Industry Masters chairman and FMG Publications vice president of business development. An all-time high of $70,000 was raised for the NSSF, First Shots program which includes funds earned through special custom gun auctions on GunBroker.com. Additionally, $11,250 was raised for the USA Shooting Team.
“The folks that attend the Masters understand the importance of growing each of these programs to preserve the future of the shooting sports. It’s extremely gratifying to see business posturing put aside for a few days of camaraderie, target-shooting enjoyment and just pure fun.”
Produced and managed by FMG Publications, the Shooting Industry Masters consists of handgun, rifle and shotgun events but some of the real excitement comes in the form of side matches. This year’s match included 17 side matches that gave participants a chance to shoot everything from a Sharps rifle to a FNH USA grenade launcher and authentic Colt Gatling gun.
A record 53 sponsors signed on to help produce the 2013 Masters. Industry manufacturers and supporters also contributed the largest collection of prizes in the 11-year history of the match with 64 companies donating product for 72 raffle prize packages and 15 auction items.
The $70,000 raised by the 2013 edition of the Shooting Industry Masters increased the total for First Shots to $211,000 in five years.
The Shooting Industry Masters is divided into two classifications: Industry and Open. The Industry class is for new to intermediate shooters, while the Open class is for professional and advanced shooters. Regardless of class, scores are not published to maintain the no-pressure, fun atmosphere of the Masters.
The 2013 Industry class team champion was Browning with Smith & Wesson placing second and Versacarry taking the third position. Jared Milinazzo, of Oneida Molded Plastics was the highest scoring individual shooter and Tennille Chidestar of Browning was the top lady of the Industry class.
In the Open division, team Hornady Pro finished first with Shooters Supply capturing second place and FNH USA finishing third. The top shooter in the Open division was Jim Clark of team PolyOne/DPMS who won the Masters for the second consecutive year and a record fourth time overall. The top lady in the Open division was Susan Sledge of P2K Shooting Range.
For more information on the Shooting Industry Masters visit www.shootingindustry.com or contact Shari Legate, event manager at shari@shootingindustry.com.
