2015 US Palma Team Captains Report

Transcription

1 December 2015 Volume 21, No. 1 This is my final report having submitted previous reports during my appointment as the Captain of the US Palma Team these past eight years. The US Palma Team won the Silver medal in the 2015 World Championship Palma Team match. Although the US Team beat the previous world record score we did not beat the Great Britain Team who has set an unprecedented number of wins in the modern Palma Team championships era. There is still work to be done but much has been accomplished and many challenges met since the US Rifle Team development program was put in place in The US Rifle Team program has proven its value. We all train together and share resources and training and only every four years for a World Championships do we form separate teams. Congratulations to the 2015 Veterans Team and Dr Tom Whitaker for winning Gold and to the Young Eagles and Mr. John Friguglietti Manager of the Under 25/21. The America Match has proven to be a great training opportunity for both the shooters and coaches. It gives the US Team the chance to shoot in an eight shooter three coach environment. The US has had some excellent results in this team match winning three gold and one silver medal in the past eight years. This match, although nominally competed only every two years, provides the US team one of the only opportunities to train and compete in a big team environment. In contrast most international teams have team matches of eight or twelve shooters using three or four coaches on a much more regular basis. This is where the US team needs to focus to get to the next level. The US Rifle Team program is producing excellent coaches and shooters. Testament to that are our consecutive medals in the last two Palma Team matches. Since 1985 the US has never medaled in two consecutive Palma Championships until now, 2011 and This is an important fact because it shows the program has been and continues to be a success. With a lot more 8 to 12 shooter team format training the US team can get to the next level. None of these successes would have happened without the dedication and talent of the members of the US Rifle Team. Your camaraderie has made these past eight years extremely enjoyable. Thank you! I wish to thank Palma Promotions and the NRA for their unwavering support of the US Palma Team to compete in the oldest and most prestigious international team match in the world. I also wish to thank the NRA for giving me this once in a lifetime opportunity to lead this team to represent the United States in international competition. Very best regards, Team Captain: Dennis Flaharty 2015 United States Palma Team Back Row: T. Fay, S. Barnhart, B. Green, T. Cooper 2<d Row: M. Dietrich, K. Nevius, G. Rasmussen, N. Guemsey, A. Watcher, R. Theurer, J. Skaret, K. Reeve, B. Utz, S. Hardin, L. Buxton, M. Delcotto 1~ Row: N. Tompkins, M. Gallagher, J. Whidden, R. Mead, D. Flaharty, N. Houle, K. Bachand, A. Elsenboss, R. Gamboa Front Kneeling: N. Anderson, E. Praslick III, E. Smith, W. Budbill INSIDE THIS ISSUE US Palma Team Scores WELL DONE F-CLASS OPEN Rifle Team Highlights F-CLASS T-R Rifle Team Highlights USA YOUNG EAGLES USA Veterans Team & Ian Cheeseman Memorial Trophy Long Range Rifle Shooter 1

2 (cont.) (cont.) THE PALMA TROPHY - MATCH THRITY Camp Perry, Ohio, USA - 13th and 14th August nd - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Day 1 Day 1 Day 1 Day 2 Day 2 Day 2 800yd 900yd 1000yd 800yd 900yds 1000yd Total Totals , , , , , , Shooters 01 - John Whidden 02 - SFC Brandon Green 03 - Justin D. Skaret 04 - Tyrell L. Cooper 05 - Miss Michelle Gallagher 06 - Sgt Eric Smith 07 - Kelly S. Bachand 08 - Kent R. Reeve 09 - Norman Houle 10 - SFC Shane Barnhart 11 - Bryan S. Litz 12 - Sgt Amanda L Elsenboss 13 - Kevin Nevius 14 - Mrs. Trudie A. Fay 15 - Mrs Nancy Tompkins 16 - Mark DelCotto Captain: Dennis R. Flaharty Adjutant: Robert C. Mead Main Coach: Emil Praslick III Coaches: Ray Gross, Norman C. Anderson, Steve Hardin, Gary E. Rasmussen Armourer: Robert J. Gamboa Reserves: SFC Russ Theurer, Wayne Budbill USA Rifle Team WELL DONE Palma Promotions, Inc wishes to extend a hearty Well Done to the USA NRA, especially Dennis Willing, Director, Competitive Shooting and Sherry Judd, Manager, High Power Rifle Department, as well as the NRA Staff and Volunteers for hosting and conducting the: NRA National High Power Rifle Championships -July 23-28, 2015 NRA Mid-Range Rifle Matches - July 24-28, 2015 NRA National High Power Rifle Long Range Championships - July 29 - Aug 2, 2015 US Fullbore Championships Aug 3 - Aug 7, 2015 World Long Range Championships - August 8-14, 2015 Dave Fiehtner - President/Director Leslie Chai Cook - Vice President/Director ON-LINE DONATIONS! You may now donate online to your favorite USA Long Range Rifle Team. Go to and click on Support Palma USA then look for the button Support - Just Give. You can also go directly to the website and search the keyword Palma Promotions. You may designate your gift to either USA Palma Team; USA Young Eagles; USA Veterans Team; USA Goodwill Team; or USA F-Class Team. Long Range Rifle Shooter 2

3 F-CLASS OPEN RIFLE TEAM HIGHLIGHTS Here are a few accomplishments from some of our team members F-CLASS T-R RIFLE TEAM HIGHLIGHTS USA F-CLASS T-R Team Paul Phillips, Adjutant Team Grizzly 2015 National Team Champions (All team USA members) Nancy Tompkins 2015 LR Champion David Gosnell new 1k NR and LR National Champion John Myers MR National Champion Ken Dickerman ties 600yd NR Jim Fowler ties 600yd NR Team USA wins Creedmoor Cup Ireland Team USA wins 4 man team championships (Lum Match) at the Canadian FCNC 2014 and 2015 Here is our 2017 F-CLASS OPEN Development Team roster Rick Jensen Captain; Mark Walker Vice Captain; Michelle Gallagher Head Coach; Charles Ballard Coach; Dale Carpenter Coach; Mid Tompkins Coach; Nancy Tompkins Coach; Shooters: Kenny Adams; Andy Amber; David Bailey; Shiraz Balolia; Larry Bartholome; Danny Biggs; Bob Bock; Dan Bramley; Barry Brazil; Erik Cortina; Matt Davis; Ken Dickerman; Dwayne Draggoo; John Gaines; Richard Goody; David Gosnell; Jim Fowler; Steve Harp; Kevin Hill; Rhys Ireland; Emil Kovan; James Laney; Walter Lange; David Mann; Paul Matkin; Mike McGill; Doug McIntosh; Jim Murphy; John Myers; Don Nagel; Matt Owens; Wade Ratkin; Tony Robertson; Pat Rogers; Allan Rosenthal; Pat Scully; Bob Sebold; John Sigler; LT Keith Trapp; Mark "Sierra" Walker; Keith Weil; Steve Zock We definitely had a big year. The highlight most certainly was successfully defending the Creedmoor Cup in Ireland. Now we are in full time preparation mode for next summers tour to Ottawa for the Canadian F-Class Nationals. Thanks for putting this together, Best Rick 2015 was a fairly busy year for our team members. We held a tryout in February in Phoenix and then another in Michigan, in May. We also ran two training weekends and sent 20+ team members up to Canada for the DCRA FCNC. Three members of our team were part of the Palma team as well. Even with all that going on, this year has primarily been a base building year for us. Next year we will get down into the selection process and really begin focused training. The Canadians have graciously offered us a few days of training time at Connaught Range prior to the DCRA FCNC s. Following their nationals will be the F-Class America Match. The word is that there will be at least four countries competing. That will make for an excellent match. We will also run a couple training weekends during the spring and summer next year. One of my objectives in choosing to lead this team was to push as much international shooting experience out into the ranks of the FTR community as possible. I know how much I have enjoyed the opportunity to compete internationally and I wished to get as many involved at this level as possible. But there is also a more long term reason for choosing to run a larger than normal team. Continued... Long Range Rifle Shooter 3

4 F-CLASS T-R RIFLE TEAM HIGHLIGHTS Cont. USA YOUNG EAGLES The previous World Championships were here in the US and the next one is in Canada. Those are easy trips for us to make. After 2017, we will be contesting the next three world championships overseas. Having a broader community of veteran team members will help our program stay strong through the future cycles. We have been very active with our fundraising. Our team gets no financial support from the NRA, so every nickel we can generate through sponsorships and fundraising is vitally important. We have had several team members bring new sponsors on board. Most noteworthy is our Adjutant, Paul Phillips, who has been a marketing dynamo. He has singlehandedly generated about three quarters of our new sponsorships. Again part of our marketing plan is aimed at building a long term base of support for the team that will help us in future cycles when our travel costs will be substantially higher. These world championship tours allow the USA Young Eagles to meet the many other impeccable shooters and coaches from all over the world. We were excited to meet these teams and their members on and off the range and hope to continue the international friendships that we have gained. These past four years absolutely flew by and the 2015 World Long Range Championships are in the books. Insane how fast time goes! I want to thank everyone who was a part of the team and the team s success. That means sponsors, family members, friends, competitors, and our fellow adult mentors. Without your help, none of this would be possible for us. It was an absolute honor to be the Team Captain of this world s tour - It means a lot especially being that this tour was held in our great country - The United States of America. The Young Eagles are proud of our performance at the Worlds...a gold medal in the under 21 team matches and a bronze medal in the under 25 team matches! Also, several of the Young Eagles placed in the individuals, and our very own Waylon Burbach is the U21 World Champion! We are very proud of all we accom- plished, and we are excited to see where the next four years takes us! With the 2019 World Championships being in New Zealand, there is a lot that needs to be done, so join us on the ride as we set our sights on 2019! Kyle Doney, Team Captain, USA Young Eagles Rifle Team 2016 Rifle Match Fund Raising F-CLASS T-R TEAM PHOTO On behalf of the US Rifle Teams we are asking to have your local rifle club hold at least one "US Rifle Teams Fundraiser" rifle match in The proceeds of this special rifle match will go to Palma Promotions and will be split three equal ways between the Under 25, Veterans, and Palma Team. Each club can determine on their own how to price and run their match. We recommend a $25 to $50 premium be placed on top of the normal entry fee but this is up to each club. Club members wishing to make a personal, tax deductable, donation may do so directly to Palma Promotions at any time. Palma Promotions is a non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation. Teamwork! Team member Laura Perry trying to beat the weather that the 2015 FCNC. Team member Ronnie Ralston came up to score, because regular scorer left to put his gear away. Send the proceeds to: Palma Promotions Inc PO Box 441 Mineral, VA TEL: (877) PALMA Promotions Inc Our coaches are good shooters too! Bryan Litz, 2015 FTR National Champion Long Range Rifle Shooter 4

5 USA Veterans Team First, as the Captain of the 2015 WORLD CHAMPION VETERANS TEAM (dang, that sounds good), how proud I am of the work and dedication everyone put into meeting our goal of winning that Gold Medal. It is amazing to be in a sport that, as we approach the twilight of our careers, people still have that competitive fire burning inside them. I want to thank everyone that contributed to the success of this team, especially the Bald Eagles Rifle Club without your support this win would have been much more difficult. I have been involved with competitive shooting for 56 years and almost exclusively with International Fullbore shooting since my first Palma Team in Watching and being part of the growth of Palma/Fullbore in the United States has been exciting to say the least. This may sound like an I have a dream speech, but after our first Palma Team in 1995, Dennis and I were hooked on Palma. We started to talk about what was needed to grow the sport in the U.S. and make the team more competitive. From those conversations came the ideas that make up the National Team Model we have now. Dennis has spent 8 years building this program, I urge those who take over the reins of the Palma Team and Veterans Team to continue and grow the work he has so tirelessly put into this program. To those of you coming into the Veterans age, get involved with the program and enjoy, you can still do it. The top three U.S. shooters in the World Individual Championship were veterans! Those of you reading this, young or mature, get involved, the friends you will make throughout the International Shooting world will enrich your life forever. As we come to the end of 2015, we also close another World Championship cycle. The NRA will be announcing the new team captains soon. Please give them all your support. Thank you for your support these last four years. It has been an honor for me to serve as your Veterans Team Captain. See you on the range. Tom Whitakerr TAX SHELTER The staff of Palma Promotions, Inc. would like to remind everyone that with the 2015 Tax Year coming to a close, you can use Palma Promotions as a tax shelter. We are a certified IRS 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. Your donations are fully deductable in accordance with current IRS rules. Send your donations to Palma Promotions, Inc., Attn: USA Palma Team Foundation, P.O. Box 441, Mineral, VA or contact the Corporate Officers of Palma Promotions, Dave Fiehtner, President, , davefiehtner@gmail.com or Leslie Chai Cook, Vice President, , lekilic@msn.com. Ian Cheeseman Memorial Trophies There are two new trophies in memory of Ian Cheeseman. The Cheyenne Trophy is awarded annually at the USA NRA Long Range matches to the High Junior Shooter in the Individual Aggregate; Match 500. The 2015 winner was Charlotte Flanagan, New Zealand, with a score of X The Ian Cheeseman Memorial Trophy is awarded every four years for the high aggregate U25/21 shooter of the World Long Range Individual Championships. The 2015 winner was Waylon Burbach, United States, with a score of V Bonnie Cheeseman & family ON-LINE DONATIONS! Long Range Rifle Shooter 5

6 PALMA PROMOTIONS INC. P.O. BOX 441 MINERAL, VA USA Palma Rifle Team Foundation Renewals Support the USA International Long Range Rifle Teams by sending your contributions to Palma Promotions, Inc. Palma Website Visit the Palma Promotions, Inc. homepage at USA International Long Range Rifle Teams Patron Benefactor Gold Silver Bronze $1000 or more $500 $100 $60 $35 Each supporter who donates $35 or more will receive a USA PALMA RIFLE TEAM FOUNDATION Donor Support Package including: Shooters cap with embroidered insignia USA Palma pin, enameled logo 7/8 Donor support card with and etching of the first Palma Match, 1876 I opt not to receive the Donor Support Package in order to maximize my donation I DESIGNATE MY TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS: USA PALMA TEAM USA VETERANS TEAM U21 YOUNG EAGLE TEAM USA GOODWILL TEAMS SHOOTER ENDOWMENT FUND COWBOY TEAM TROPHY FUND PALMA is a Registered Service Mark of the National Rifle Association of America USA F-CLASS TEAM USA F-CLASS T/R TEAM BERT ROLLINS MEMORIAL TROPHY FUND IAN CHEESEMAN MEMORIAL TROPHY FUND Public spirited citizens, businesses, clubs, and corporations who wish to contribute to the USA Palma Rifle Team Foundation may send their donations to: Palma Promotions, Inc., Dept. NI., P.O. Box 441, Mineral, VA, 23117, Tel Fax , davefiehtner@gmail.com, Make checks payable to Palma Promotions, Inc. Join the NRA of America And subscribe to Shooting Sports USA Your gift is tax deductible according to IRS regulations. Newsletter produced by Fade In - Fade Out Productions, LLC fadein-fadeoutproductions.com Long Range Rifle Shooter 6