On August 28, the Menard Country Sportsman's Club wrapped up its summer trap league season. This year's summer league was contested by 16 teams and ran for 21 weeks.
The basic format of the league is similar to ATA handicap, only in team form. On each shooting night, each team member shoots 2 rounds of 25 targets (50 total targets per shooter, 250 total targets per team) from their team's handicap yardage. The team's handicap yardage is based upon the average scores of the five team members shooting that night. Teams made up of high average shooters will shoot from longer yardage than teams made up of shooters with lower average scores. Unlike ATA handicap (an individual competition), the entire team shoots from the same handicap yardage. This format helps level the playing field between experienced competitive teams and teams of new or more casual shooters.
On each shooting night, a team "shoots against" another team chosen "from the hat" at random. Each night is worth a total of three points toward a team’s league score. If one team outshoots the opposing team during their first round, they earn one point. If they outshoot the opposing team during their second round, they earn a second point. If their overall total is higher than that of the opposing team, they earn a third point. If there are any ties, the points are split. As the season progresses, these points are added up. The team with the most points is, logically, in 1st place. The last night of the season is called "position night". On that night, the 1st place team shoots against the 2nd place team, the 3rd place team shoots against the 4th place team, and so on. This gives each team one more opportunity to take points away from their closest competitor. At the end of the season, the league was divided into four equally-sized groups (A, B, C and D), based on the team points totals. The team with the highest points total for each group will be named group champion. This gives every team a chance to compete for a group title, regardless of their overall league ranking.
Fall Trap League Results
(21 weeks, 63 points possible)
GROUP A
|
| Team Name
| Total Points
|
| 1st/2nd Place
| SESCO
| 48.5
|
| 1st/2nd Place
| Tallula Sandbaggers
| 48.5
|
| 3rd Place
| Grainery
| 44
|
| 4th Place
| Tri-County Electric
| 44
|
|
GROUP B
|
| Team Name
| Total Points
|
| 1st Place
| Night Owls
| 43.5
|
| 2nd Place
| M&M
| 40.5
|
| 3rd Place
| Gillmore-Allen Insurance
| 40.5
|
| 4th Place
| T&O Boys
| 38.5
|
|
GROUP C
|
| Team Name
| Total Points
|
| 1st Place
| Wiese
| 37.5
|
| 2nd Place
| Bennett Sawdust
| 36.5
|
| 3rd Place
| OM Gosh Bakery
| 34
|
| 4th Place
| Athens State Bank
| 34
|
|
GROUP D
|
| Team Name
| Total Points
|
| 1st Place
| Birddog Buddies
| 32
|
| 2nd Place
| Hubbard Painting & Papering
| 29
|
| 3rd Place
| Alderman Construction
| 27
|
| 4th Place
| KMA
| 20
|
|
When the smoke cleared at the end of Position Night, there were several ties to be resolved. Group A, 1st and 2nd place were decided by a handshake agreement to "call it a draw". Group B, 2nd and 3rd place were decided by a 30 target shoot-off (three shooters from each team, 10 targets each). Other ties were decided by forfeit (teams not available to shoot-off). There was great competition and very tight races in all four groups. A great season was had by all.
The MCSC fall trap league season will begin on Tuesday, September 4. This year's fall league will run for 9 weeks, ending on October 30. If you're interested in competing in the fall league, it's not too late to get a team together or join one of our existing teams. Teams can join the fall league anytime during the first four weeks of the season. Come out to the club on Tuesday night any time after 5:00pm to sign up. Thanks to everyone who helped to make the summer league season such a success. Until next time, shoot safe and break 'em all!
Menard County Sportsman's Club