Match Day

By Jeff Mammele ASST. CRO

The alarm blares, mocking me as I reach to shut it off. 6:30!? As I come to a state of semi consciousness, I'm struck with (no, not my wife) but a gleeful smile. Oh yea, it's Sunday. Match Day!! Jump in shower, adrenalin starting to course thru me already.

Hot cup of coffee. Just one though. Don't want to get the jitters. What!? No Wheaties. Oh well, Cheerios will do. At least the Sun is out. 55 degrees, little wind, not bad.

8:00. Better get going. Do I have everything? Of course. Been ready for days! Off to the Club. That Sun sure is bright. Where's my sunglasses?

As I pull up to the "Field Course" shack, looks rather desolate. Alas, I should have known, there's Don & Conrad, still wiping the cobwebs from their eyes.

"Hi Guys! What a Great morning" Oh look. Doughnuts! Best refrain though. Caffeine & Sugar, not a good combo for shooting half inch kill zones.

Better unpack & fill rifle while awaiting the other shooters. Here they come, a few at a time. All the familiar faces & the ones I haven't seen since last year. "Good to see ya, how ya been? What's that, a new Rifle? Very nice"

Look. Here comes the infamous "A Team" with their white jump suits, red hats & space age rifles. Uh Oh. My best friend & mentor, Joe Napp. Am I ever gonna beat this guy? Maybe today will be my lucky day, if I get a 45. LOL.

Time to get started Don? I hope he doesn't pair me up with a "Talker" "Quiet! I'm trying to shoot here!" Deadline, lets go. Down the trail, to our first designated target. Geez. Has my rifle gained weight, or is it just me? Wish my heart would slow down.

Finally, there it is. The first Target. 35 yards! I can barely see the kill zone. Is that a swinger? Does it matter? Just hit the damn thing! Why is it "grinning" at me? Hope it's just a "floater" in my eye. There. That's better.

Check yardage setting, focus, cock rifle, put in pellet. Pellet, pellet. Don't tell me I forgot em! Ah. There they are. Whew! Get yer stance, steady comfy hold, bring target into view, breath, easy now. First stage back, easy, pull & follow thru. WACK! Down she Goes!! This is gonna be a Great day, even if I do miss the next 49

Well, I didn't beat Joe, it's still a Beautiful DAY though & more matches to come. See you then.