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The Grand at Marengo?

3K views 61 replies 29 participants last post by  bubba at ohio 
#1 ·
Anyone else heard the rumor that in the next couple of years we may see the Grand back in Ohio?
 
#2 ·
Cross my heart: It's not true. Not a word of it. Nothing. Zilch. Zero. Not true.

I've no idea who makes this stuff up or why anyone would believe it. You certainly don't believe it, do you 50S? Why? We've got the best shooting facility on the world at our beck and call, all built and running and we are lucky to be there, to say nothing of a contract for eight more years which we intend to fulfill because it is the best shooting facility in the world, as I may have mentioned.

Neil
 
#3 ·
Heard the same rumor at the Michiogan state shoot. Asked a friend who actually talked with Mr Fishburn at the Ohio state shoot. He was told by the man who owns the property that he can not expand the trap line because the shot drop would fall on someone elses land. End of story It can't happen Right from Mr Fishburn's mouth.
 
#4 ·
I can think of a couple of other 40+ house ranges that would be considered before marengo. Why don't you ohio anti-Sparta shooters give it a break, you don't own the Grand. Try getting maengo running properly, enjoy it and be thankful that Mr. Fishburn bailed your butts out.

Don
 
#6 ·
I liked the Ohio State Shoot and it is a really good place to shoot. I believe it would be unfair to Sparta to dump them because they BAILED the ATA out. Seems to me that we need to supoport EC and Delegates decision to be at Sparta. I had a great time last year and plan on going every year to Sparta. I wonder how many of the Sparta bashers actually shot there? I believe Sparta has a great background to shoot into and I prefer , for just shooting, Sparta over Vandalia.

Charlie
 
#7 ·
I liked the Ohio State Shoot and it is a really good place to shoot. I believe it would be unfair to Sparta to dump them because they BAILED the ATA out. Seems to me that we need to supoport EC and Delegates decision to be at Sparta. I had a great time last year and plan on going every year to Sparta. I wonder how many of the Sparta bashers actually shot there? I believe Sparta has a great background to shoot into and I prefer , for just shooting, Sparta over Vandalia.

Charlie
 
#8 ·
Bill, remember the photos on the wall at "The Rib House". All those army square tents, filled by shooters in the 20's and 30's who went to the Grand under conditions ten-times harder than today but went anyway. Because it was the best trapshooting facility in the world. As is Sparta unless you - "you" meaning "you" in general, not "you in particular, Bil"l - are, frankly, too "soft" to do well at trapshooiting anyway. Can't drive 40 minutes? How can you shoot in the sun for an hour?

I drive 30 minutes to my local club, close to an hour to the next, a couple to the State shoot and way more than that all time to places I want to shoot. In Nebraska it's more than that for almost everyone. I was just at the Wyoming State Shoot and couldn't believe how hard they have it there, distance-wise.

If 40 minutes is too far then it is, for the kind of shooter who thinks that 40 minutes is too far. We've moved start-time to 9 AM and facilitated presquadding using "early, mid. late" and what else do people want? Harlan to shoot for you?

Neil
 
#10 ·
BIGDON- hey, ease up on Ohio shooters. We don't all hate Sparta, you or Michigan. I've not had enough vacation time to get out there myself but maybe next year. I definately want to see it for myself.

Mr. Fishburn didn't bail out Ohio shooters......he saw an opportunity to fill a needed niche for a new shooting facility. If I had the opportunity to do what he is doing I'd would've done it too. Yes, I'm very happy that he has put his money, time and effort into Cardinal. I enjoy shooting there when I can.

JB=Jerry Beach 8503917
 
#11 ·
For many Ohio and Pa people, "the grand" is going to be the Cardinal Classic at Marengo the week after the "other" grand in Sparta...not to cause trouble but this is the local feeling in my area. The Ohio state shoot reminded many people of the Grand of Old and they want to come back in August and give it another try-which is their option. I am planning on attending Sparta as well as the Cardinal Classic...I will be at "both" grands!

JB: I believe Mr. Fishburn did in fact "bail out" Ohio's association-I believe their only choice after Jaqua's removed themselves from the list of interested facilities was the Middletown grounds. Then along came Mr. Fishburn. I'll bet Jack's investment in the Cardinal Center is not going to be at the top of his ROI (return on investment) list. Duke
 
#12 ·
Duke- I can see your point just not as strenuously as you. I feel that sooner or later someone would have ponied up. What I do believe is those grounds will be quite the investment in the long run for Mr. Fishburn (not that is really any of my business). I'm just glad he chose to do it. Thanks, Mr. Fishburn.

JB=Jerry Beach 8503917
 
#14 ·
I have heard this same "rumour" at every shoot at Cardinal...the reality is that you can't easily extend the trapline another 80 fields to the west. There is a north/south county road very near the west end, anyway, even if you did own it all, I can't see the county closing the road.

Ohio shooters, including myself, only need to look at our past administration that was in power when the ATA was looking for a new facility. I lay the blame largely on the past Governor's office for doing nothing to retain a 75 year tradition in the state of Ohio. Illinois stepped up to the plate and made an offer that the state of Ohio wouldn't match.

Had I been an ATA board member, I would have made the same call....exactly. No second guessing from me on this one.

Having said all that, I can find many faults with Sparta, but none of them serious enough to abandon that facility.

I certainly miss the old atmosphere with the close knit crowd and vendors row, the mature shade trees lining the walks, the old fashioned look to the clubhouse and shootoff fields. I dislike the "drive up, shoot, and go back to your camper" operation that it has become. But, that could be changed with a serious effort to put up some auxillary buildings for food, shade and rest along the length of the line.

There is probably nothing wrong with the Sparta facility itself that can't be addressed or corrected.

(A few trees would help)

Bob
 
#15 ·
Ohiobob:

Fortunately, when I was at Sparta in May for the US Open, I recall seeing some newly planted trees! Looks like one problem has been addressed. (It is also quite a bit less dusty now that some of the grass has grown in).

I dearly hope to see you all in a few weeks (though I will only have the chance to shoot the weekends). I hope for my 50,000th registered target to be the last one in the Grand American Handicap this year (not in handicap, just overall). Take care!

Best,
Michael Ruebhausen 02 10639
 
#17 ·
The only problem with Sparta is that the facility does not have the memories for me that Vandalia has. I realize that in 30 years that problem will be solved. In 2037, I will have fond memories of the past at Sparta and I will only be 92 years old. However, considering how my memory is now, I might no be able to remember the fond memories of Sparta in 30 years. So, what good are memories that you can't remember?

Pat Ireland
 
#20 ·
Thanks Neil for your explicit explanation

As much as I enjoyed the Grand here in Vandalia, it is gone, never to return, it ain't coming back, and let's move on. I'm taking the move as an opportunity to move on to other shooting venues. The Missouri Fall Handicap, the PA State shoot, the Florida shoots during our winter months.

Quite frankly, I'm not near as worried about where I shoot as long as I can afford to shoot !! The price of shot and other components, the availability of targets, and gun clubs that can survive all of this are more of my concern. Let's enjoy our great sport the best we can

hit'em all

skrap
 
#21 ·
I have often wondered why Las Vegas was never considered? Tons of other things for families to do, fair amount of hotel rooms and food availability. Hotter than blazes in the summer, but not pushing 100% humidity every day. I have no axe to grind for Sparta or Ohio, but just curious why LV was not considered, since the infrastructure to support shooters and wives has been in place for 50 years.
 
#23 ·
Let Marengo build itself. It will be a great facilty if it is run correctly. Lets see how the August shoot goes. I expect it to be so large, they will struggle to manage it properly. Thats actually a good thing. Hopefully, it will be like a good restuarant, everyone want to go, and their willing to wait for for a spot.
 
#26 ·
I have just invented a shade tree that in 3 weeks after planting a seed will match any 80 year old tree for shade. 10 million dollars American per seed. This is for all you Instant Gratification Shooters. I also invented a Drive Through Grand! For all you busy F**ks that can't wait to shoot and complain that the shoot takes too long! Gimme a Break! Some of you SUCK!!!!!
 
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