The first ever Sugar Classic is in the books and the Shoot the Boot Tour is off to a heck of a shotgun start as 123 shooters took over Bridgeview Gun Club to the tune of 33,000+ registered targets.
Bridgeview commonly hosts large charity events but this tournament proved that the club is capable of successfully hosting larger registered events as well. The Sugar Classic was the largest NSCA event hosted onsite since the 2015 State Championship was hosted under previous ownership. During the Sugar Classic, Bridgeview exceeded 50% of their total 2022 registered targets thrown and did so by providing high quality, fun targets and lagniappe to attract shooters from around Louisiana and surrounding states. This win-win for shooters and clubs through elevating sporting clays competition in Louisiana is what Shoot the Boot is all about.
Competitors were treated to professional quality courses set by James Edgmon of RNR Traps in collaboration with Bridgeview’s Grant Dunn. James leveraged his extensive target setting experience to fit two full courses plus a two-layout 5 Stand on the property. Conversation amongst competitors on Saturday featured warnings about a testy closing station on the Super Sport course which mimicked committed birds coming into land in a narrow wood duck hole. On Sunday, those who waited out the weather heard rumblings of two screaming tower birds that led off the Sunday main with a baptism by fire on stations 1 & 2. Kudos to the target setters who went 4 for 4 on setting fun courses that provided the perfect mix of challenge and fun for shooters of every experience level.
For 2023 the LSCA Board and Planning & Publicity Committee hatched the Shoot the Boot Championship Tour with the goal to elevate sporting clays competition in Louisiana, attract out of state shooters, and give back to the clubs throughout the state who provide us with the opportunity to enjoy our sport. To fund the lagniappe at each of these events LSCA is seeking sponsorships from members, local businesses, and tourism boards. A “Shepherd” is assigned to each event to work with the clubs to create a unique shoot experience. We extend our gratitude to the Sugar Classic event sponsor West Baton Rouge Parish Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. This sponsorship allowed LSCA to purchase quality trophies, supply beignets Saturday morning, and a bonfire social Saturday night at no additional expense to the shooters.
For the Sugar Classic I filled the duty of shepherd and must thank Bridgeview Gun Club owner Keith Morris and his staff for elevating the event beyond expectation. From bringing in extra machines and target setter James Edgmon to building two new elevated stations for the event, it seemed like every time I stopped in to discuss the Sugar Classic another surprise feature was added. On Sunday mother nature attempted to get in the way of a good time but the nearly 60 shooters who waited out the rain were treated to not only an excellent Sunday Main course but also Heath Morris’s shrimp and corn soup with grilled cheese for which I grant him my MVP of the day award. A final “Thank You!” is in order for Keith, Heath, David and their team and I hope you will join me in thanking them personally the next time you stop by the club.
In the battle for the Sugar Kettle Trophy it was James Scriber who took HOA with an impressive two day total of 185. Full results for the combined mains are attached to this post. We hope you will join us at the second stop of the Shoot the Boot Tour when we visit Wilderness Gun Club in Lafayette, Louisiana for the Mardi Gras Open on February 10th-11th. The shoot will feature a cart decoration contest and “more Cajun food than you’ll know what to do with.” If you enjoyed the first event and would like to help LSCA enhance the Shoot the Boot Tour we are still seeking sponsorships which are available starting at $250 and may be allocated to the tour or a specific event. Sponsorships are available for purchase at LASportingClays.com or by contacting a board member.
Thomas Sparks
Vice President
Louisiana Sporting Clays Association
