Maybe I am being a little pesamistic here but it does look like registered matches will not happen at Dublin this year. My main attempt here is to keep this thread active and provide some ideas and resons for folks being hesitant to volunteer.
As those at Dublin know most of the folks that will shoot these matches live more than 125 miles from the range and work full time jobs. Most of them are not in a position where they can take off work or go to Dublin a few days in advance to perform the encurred duties. Additionally some of those that will attend have physical limitations such as being unable to set up target frames.
You mentioned holding these in conjunction with monthly club matches. I think that is a good idea. However let me add a couple of thoughts here. Instead of cutting time to 7 minutes ask the club if they are willing to extend to 10 minutes.
Another suggestion would be to shoot both 100 and 200 yards to make this like all other registered matches. As I have heard many time folks don't want to drive that far for just one yardage.
I would like to see folks that have put on matches at other ranges chime in here. It seems that if these matches are going to happen it will take more involvement by club members that live closer to the range. This may require4 setting the match fees at a point that the club can make a few dollars.
This is all just food for thought I am not trying to throw a wet blanket on this effort.
Just to clear up a few points, first, these will be 100-200 Grand Agg matches. That was the reason for the backer system. If held in conjunction with a club match, the club shooters will leave after the 100 yard stage, so the IBS shooters would need to bring the target frames in after the completion of 200 yards in the afternoon.
Second, there hopefully will not be a necessity to go to the range during the week. I will ensure that the targets are there, trophies are ordered, etc. We should be able to get the scoring done by Gloria, or if she does not attend, the lady who scores the club matches. The trophies could be shipped to someone who will be attending the match if no one is planning to go to Dublin on the Friday before the match. Alternatively, I could go up early for the Board meeting on the first Tuesday of the month of the match, and pick up the trophies.
There are no shooters who live near Dublin that shoot IBS. I am about the closest, unless some of the club shooters decide to shoot registered matches, and I am almost an hour from there. I will do ALL that I can to relieve the Match Director of many things that he would normally have to do.
Lunches can be as simple as furnishing a couple of burgers and soft drink as Elberton did last year, or grilling burgers or hot dogs as Palmetto did.
The club matches are unfortunately not going to change from 7 minutes, and that is the reason that having the registered match in conjunction with the club match is not set in stone. I think the Board of Directors will give some assistance with the stand-alone Georgia State Match. I have informed the board that this will not be a big money maker for the club, and they are all right with this as long as the club does not lose money.
As I see it at present, the Match Director will mainly need to be responsible for registration, and finding or being the Range Officer for the match he volunteers for. Most of the other responsibilities can be delegated to other IBS shooters, and a couple of the club shooters have expressed a willingness to help with some matches.
It really comes down to whether there is any interest in having these matches. If we are only going to have 5 shooters show up, I don't see that it would be economically feasible to hold them. I can't afford to assume more financial responsibility than I already have if no one else expresses interest in participating
. If any other shooters are planning to participate, PLEASE let someone know so that we can go forward with this.
Thanks,
Jim