Ancient Oak Gun Club at Lakewood Ranch prepares for state championship March 29-April 3
LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Less than three years after its grand opening, Ancient Oak Gun Club at Lakewood Ranch is preparing to host the Florida Sporting Clays State Championship.
"It's a real honor to get the state shoot. It's unheard of to do this in less than three years," said member Bill Riccardi of Longboat Key.
An estimated 300 shooters from around Florida and elsewhere are expected to gather for the competition March 31-April 3 at Ancient Oak, 16800 State Road 64 E.
Sporting clays, or clay pigeons, are discs launched from trap machines at various speeds and trajectories. The object is for the shooter to track and blast them with a shotgun.
Normally, Ancient Oak has 28 covered shooting stations on two separate courses, but it will expand for the state championship to accommodate shooters taking part in 10 events simultaneously, said manager Wayne Evans.
Evans and his staff at Ancient Oak has been working to prepare for the state tournament since it was awarded in April by the Florida Sporting Clays Association.
"It takes a full year to set it up," Evans said.
There will be competition in seven classes of shooters ranging from master to double A, single A, down to the beginner, or e level.
Retired U.S. Marine Sands Robnicki is a competitive pistol shooter, who said he was turned on to sporting clays through the lady in his life.
"I am hooked now," Robnicki said, as he took aim at clays on a cold morning this week. "I am an 'e' shooter, but I hope to move up to a 'd' shooter. I don't want to be the bottom of the barrel anymore."
Robnicki will compete against other novice shooters during the state championship.
Ed Angresani of Snead Island was the second shooter to sign up for the state championship.
"I think it is fabulous. We're tickled pink it is here," Angrisani said. "This club is really coming on, This program is really building."
Among all shooting clubs on Florida's West Coast, Ancient Oak is the best, Angrisani said, crediting Evans with landing the state championship.
"There is no reason that we couldn't hold regional shoots or the U.S. Open here," Angrisani said.
Sporting clays is a safe, fun, competitive sport for all ages and genders, Angrisani said.
Like other sports or recreational tourism, the tourney will help fill hotel rooms and restaurants, he said.
Competitors come from all walks of life, but when they step up to a shooting station, all are shooters, Riccardi said.
Purses range up to $1,000 for the high overall shooter and $750 for runner-up.
Ancient Oaks has hosted other significant matches, notably the Harvest Moon Classic, which was held Oct. 8-11 with a $35,000 guaranteed purse.
Bill McGuire, club pro at Ancient Oak Gun Club, took second place in a world shooting championship in Dubai in 2015, winning a $100,000 prize.
To register for the state championship, visit scoringpro.com. For more information about Ancient Oak, visit ancientoakgunclub.com.
James A. Jones Jr., East Manatee reporter, can be contacted at 941-745-7053 or on Twitter @jajones1.
This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 11:52 PM with the headline "Ancient Oak Gun Club at Lakewood Ranch prepares for state championship March 29-April 3 ."