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World champ runs IRC trap and skeet club

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Contributed by: Debbie Batteiger/YourHub.com on 8/29/2006

Mick Howells is more than the manager of the Indian River Trap and Skeet Club. He is a World Champion in sport clay shooting for the years 1994 and 2003.

"I started when I was about 13 years old with trap shooting then moved to sporting clays," Howells said. "I prefer sporting clays, but I shoot both."

Howells' Indian River Trap and Skeet Club (formerly a members-only club that last year opened to the general public) sponsors a monthly sporting clay tournament where participants can qualify for championships.

"Sporting clays are bigger in England, and trap is bigger in the United States," the England-born Howells said. "Anyone can go to the world championships if they qualify."

Shooters compete in different classes, depending upon their expertise.

"Master Class is on the top, and it goes down from AA, A, B, C, D and E class. I'm in the Master Class," he said. "Every time you win, you get points and the National Sport Clay Association keeps a record of your performance."

Shooters can move up a class by accumulating points, and the class system is relatively new to the sport, which became popular in England before WWII and in the 1980s in the United States.

"Years ago there were no classes, so shooters with differing abilities competed. Someone with a shorter time to master would shoot, and there would be no way to beat the experienced. The class system is designed to keep the new shooter interested," he said.

Classes also exist for women and junior shooters.

Howells compared the world championships to the Olympics.

"These are team events all countries shoot against each other," he said. "All the countries you can think of: Russia, Australia, South Africa all the European countries."

The Indian River Trap and Skeet Club sponsors tournaments to give participants the opportunity to move up in class. The next scheduled tournament is Sept. 16.

The club also offers instruction as well.

"We get a lot of father and sons here so they can see what to do and not to do," he said. "Many fathers say they want the son to know how to handle a gun safely."

For information, call (772) 539-2716 or visit www.indianrivertrapandskeet.com.

IF YOU GO

What: National Sport Clay Association Sporting Clays Tournament.
When: Sept. 16.
Where: Indian River Trap and Skeet Club, 5925 82nd Ave., Vero Beach.
Contact: (772) 539-2716 or visit www.indianrivertrapandskeet.com.

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