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Taking Aim At A Classic

Photo by FRANK SARGEANT

Some 400 shooters are expected at the Norman Schwarzkopf Sporting Clays Classic.

By FRANK SARGEANT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 21, 2009

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Someone once said they call it "golf" because all the other four-letter words were taken.

Shooting sporting clays, which is sort of golf with a shotgun, can be equally frustrating, challenging and fun.

The 15th annual Norman Schwarzkopf Sporting Clays Classic, scheduled for Saturday at Tenoroc Preserve near Lakeland, likely will be more of the latter.

Though the event draws world-class shooters from all over the state, it also welcomes many people shooting their first round. In fact, the free instruction alone makes it worth participating for anyone with the slightest interest in taking up the sport.

There's also the knowledge that you're making a donation to the Children's Home of Tampa Bay. In its first 14 years, the shoot raised about $1.2 million for the Children's Home, and organizer Bill Arthur said this year's event should bring in some $200,000.

The Classic was founded by Retired Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, a Tampa resident and avid hunter and shooter, along with other area sporting clays fans.

And while it's somewhat of a competition, with experienced shooters vying for the best scores as they fire at flying clay disks around the wooded course, there's also plenty of opportunity for beginners to win some classy prizes, because many of the top awards are given away by drawing. Fishing and hunting trips, shotguns and airline tickets are among the goodies.

Funds go to the Children's Home, which provides shelter for many Bay area kids who are victims of abandonment, abuse or neglect.

The entry fees are $150 for individual shooters or $1,000 for corporate teams. The donation includes a 50-target round and lunch hosted by Outback Steakhouse.

Tenoroc Preserve is located near Exit 38 off Interstate 4, just east of Lakeland. For more information, call (813) 864-1532. Registration also is available at www.childrenshome.org.

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