17 South Rod and Gun Club Youth Enters Into SCTP State Championships for the First Time

(SAVANNAH, GA) The Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) State Championships were held on Friday, June 5, at 1 p.m., and continued through Sunday, June 7, until 4:30 p.m. with the awards ceremony for all events immediately following. This was the first year that 17 South Rod and Gun Club participated after launching a new SCTP league earlier this year.

Comprised of girls and boys from middle school to high school and even college, the 17 South team has a total of 31 athletes who were shooting for targets and competing against youth from all over the state of Georgia in the hopes of winning the state championship. This event was free to attend and open to the public.

Shooting sports are growing in popularity, which is evidenced by the fact that 153 youth shooters participated in last year’s championship, which has more than doubled in 2020 with roughly 450 shooters. Only two local clubs participated: 17 South Rod and Gun Club and Forest City Gun Club.

The mission of the SCTP is to provide kids from elementary grades through high school and college with the opportunity to participate in the fun and challenging sports of Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays, as well as the Olympic disciplines of Bunker Trap, Trap Doubles and International Skeet.

These disciplines are led by trained and dedicated adult coaches in a supportive environment, with a focus on the safe handling and use of firearms. Coaches from the 17 South team mentioned that they were pleased to be able to offer this new program to their members’ families because they are a fairly young club, established only five years ago.

“It’s so exciting to be teaching the art of shooting to these young athletes,” said Ronnie Chambers, a 17 South coach. “This is a sport where the outcome of the competition depends on your skill level and hard work. Your height, size and gender won’t hinder your success. Every single team member was able to participate and scored individually, so you’re always working to improve your personal score. But then that score is combined with the teams for a collective total. So, you’re also supporting each other and building one another up.”

17 South shot Trap together at 1 p.m. on Friday. Throughout the rest of the weekend, the team members shot sporting clays individually. Then on Sunday at 3 p.m., the team came together once again to shoot Skeet.

For more information about SCTP, including active teams in Georgia, visit www.sssfonline.org/scholastic-clay-target-program/.

ABOUT 17 SOUTH ROD AND GUN CLUB
17 South Rod and Gun Club, located at 5899 N Coastal Hwy, Fleming, GA, is a family-friendly, members-only shooting club covering 300 acres. Members have access to multiple outdoor ranges to include a .22 only kids range, 500-yard range, multiple 100-yard ranges, 50-yard pistol range, 25-yard pistol range, and multiple tactical bays, and a 10 station 3-D archery course. There are 2 Skeet fields as well as Trap, and a world-class sporting clay course with 10 stations. Inside the Clubhouse members can purchase equipment and ammunition in the pro-shop, or get a cold beverage at the bar. The Clubhouse can also be rented out to members for events or meetings. The pond out front is stocked with Panfish, Catfish and Bass for catch and release. For more information, visit https://www.17southrngclub.com/