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3rd Annual HSC ‘Shoot for the Troops’ Sporting Clays Competition recap


The scores have been tallied, the auctions won, and the guns cleaned – it is safe to say that the Third Annual HSC Shoot for the Troops was by far the most successful ever. Three 350 shooters from near and far converged on the manicured lawn of the Greater Houston Gun Club to participate in the largest sporting clays tournament ever hosted on the grounds. The balmy spring day began smothered in thick blanket of coastal fog, but quickly brightened as the mid morning sun burned it away.

The club grounds resembled a carnival with tents, cooking teams, exhibitors, shooters and spectators covering every square foot of the clubhouse area. Throughout the day, the crowd ebbed and flowed as shooters left for the morning flight, returned for lunch, then set out again. In between the competitions, people wandered the grounds, eating, drinking and trying their hand at various shooting challenges such as Blaser’s Long Bird Challenge, and Laser Shot – a computerized shooting simulator. Other competition goers relaxed and took in the peaceful setting of the Greater Houston Gun Club.

Among the multitude of attendees, hunting legends and HSC members, Greg Rodriguez and Larry Weishuhn were on hand, mingling and talking guns, hunting, and the like. The two took time in the afternoon to shoot a television spot for Greg’s upcoming hunting television show, ‘A Rifleman’s Journal’, at the event. Both men are ardent supporters of HSC, for which the club is immensely thankful.

After the last flight wrapped up around 4:30, the crowd began to gather for the evening banquet, award show, and auctions. Since the shoot was technically a club meeting, the results of the board of director elections were announced. Then, guests were treated to an especially moving presentation from Rusty Hicks, president of Combat Marine Outdoors, about the importance of supporting organizations like CMO and Hunting with Heroes. Afterwards, the crowd was shown a video presentation of Col. Oliver North giving a soul stirring speech about the truly heroic and selfless nature of the men and women who fight for our freedom.

Then, in spine-tinglingly quiet ceremony, a group of veterans from Combat Marine Outdoors approached and took the stage in formation. The crowd then witnessed a truly amazing event – with Swiss watch precision, an American flag was removed from its box and unfolded by two wounded vets, and refolded in the proper military ceremonial fashion. Not a sound was uttered from the crowd as the flag was tightly folded into a perfect triangle with only the blue field and white stars visible. Then, in an unplanned and spontaneous announcement, the flag was auctioned as the first item in the live auction. Bidding started at $1000 and quickly climbed. Bidding escalated until the flag was ultimately sold for $8000 to Mr. Ben Muller. Mr. Muller then took the stage and received the flag along with a “challenge coin” from the Marines. In a staggering display of generosity, Mr. Muller donated the flag to Houston Safari Club to be displayed in its office.

After the moving ceremony and flag auction, the live auction began in earnest. Competition was fierce as exotic hunts, firearms, and vacations were snapped up at great bargains. Then the silent auction forms were pulled and winners announced. Finally, the raffle items were drawn and the winners called. The last to go, was the famous custom HSC EZ-Go shooting cart that had become such a familiar sight at the gun club. For nine months, the cart had been ferried to various events and functions, selling tickets and raising money for HSC. Inevitably, someone had to win and that was Mr. Colin Cook. HSC members were sad to see the cart go, but excited about next year’s cart that is beginning to take shape.

Once the winnings were all divvyed out, it was time to kick back and party. The Usual Suspects band took the stage and within a few minutes, the dance floor was packed. The festivities continued well into the night and some say later… The shoot was a resounding success, exceeding all forecasted financial goals. This was the largest and most successful shoot ever, and the bar is now substantially higher. However, with Steve Crawford and his dynamic committee at the helm, next year’s shoot will continue to amaze.

HSC would like to give out a heartfelt thanks to all of the sponsors, donors, volunteers, shooters and guests that made this shoot the best ever. See you next year!


Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is a non-profit organization, exempt from federal income tax, under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. The charitable deduction for contributions to HSCF is the cash amount of the contribution, less the value of goods and services received, to the extent permitted by law. HSCF EIN 74-2177975. Please contact your tax advisor concerning deductibility of any payments as business deductions. HSCF is an independent organization, is not affiliated with Safari Club International (SCI) or its affiliates and is not a chapter or affiliate of any other organization.