Page 17 - Indulge October/November 2016
P. 17
man cave
By Patrick O’Donnell O’Donnell
By Patrick
I’m not a golfer. I lack the patience, how extensive it was — or how popular have never shot before are highly OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2016 • INDULGE | 17
skill and budget. Which means when the sport had become. The last time I’d encouraged to take a lesson. We
it comes to those “close the deal on the shot clay pigeons, they’d been tossed by have a minimum of two to three-plus
golf course” meetings, I’m not your man a buddy using a hand-held thrower. Range Safety Officers on the course
— unless, of course, you need someone at all times.”
to drive the cart. LVSC takes the experience to an
entirely different level. Our shoot Over at The Heritage Guild, a
So I was a bit worried when, back involved 100 targets at 17 stations range and firearms shop in Easton,
in May, two of our advertising directors in a former stone quarry. Each station Training Academy Manager Matt
asked, “Can you shoot?” I’d just read offered something different — clays Vollers tells me they’ve also seen a lot
an email about a golf fundraiser, so long that crossed overhead or rolled along the more people coming in.
irons instantly came to mind. ground, some that came from old quarry
buildings, some over the quarry itself. Alyssa Holdorff, manager of
“Ahh. Ummm,” I stammered, trying marketing and events there, says
to gracefully find a way to say “No.” Event manager Lori Strohl says that’s due, in part, to firearms
the sport’s popularity has seen a huge manufacturers. “I think the industry
Turns out they had a different iron in increase over the last five years and is itself has done a much better job of
mind: the kind that has a trigger. They still growing. “We average over 1,300 appealing to female shooters, through
needed someone to fill out their roster new shooters every month.” advertising and manufacturing —
for Good Shepherd’s Conrad W. Raker manufacturers are now producing
Sporting Clays Invitational at Lehigh And it’s not just a bunch of good ol’ female-specific products, they’re doing
Valley Sporting Clays in Coplay. boys. The sport of shooting is growing female oriented events; and we do
more popular among all walks of life, female-oriented classes,” she says.
“Well, I used to shoot clay pigeons including women and youth. “On
…” I started to say. average, 30 to 35 percent of our guests Vollers says manufacturers are making
are women,” Strohl says. “We have also some shotguns — and handguns — more
“Sold. Sign him up.” seen a huge increase in the number compact. For a shotgun, he says, that
“…. But it’s been a long, long of youth shooters … we host several involves a different balance point. If you
time and …” Boy Scout outings and fundraisers have a lot of weight at the front, it makes
“Be there by 9.” throughout the year.” it harder for someone with a smaller
Come Friday morning, I was stuck in frame to achieve accuracy, especially
Cedar Crest Boulevard traffic, muttering And, in good news for non-golfers like when you’re trying to follow a target.
to myself that arriving late to an event me, they host corporate events, bachelor
where my bosses were wielding shotguns (and bachelorette) parties and more. “In As for the Conrad Raker event,
did not bode well. 2015 we hosted over 300 events,” Strohl I led my coworkers, managing to
But I lucked out and arrived first. I’d says. “We have hosted a bridal shower, obliterate 58 clays. Based on that
heard about the facility, but had no idea alone, I think I’m due for a promotion.
weddings and several birthday parties
consisting of all women.” Though I might benefit from a
few lessons. I came in second in
Safety, of course, is the our group, behind Robert Crow,
priority. “All shooters new to sales manager for sporting clay
our facility are required to go manufacturer White Flyer. He shot
through a course introduction, 92 — and said he was having an
which explains our safety rules,” “off” day.
she says. “Individuals that
Our group had a blast — lots of them — at Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays.
Photo by Omar Zucco
