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You could be featured here! Just click the "Shooter
Questionnaire" button to the left and complete the form!
For January, 2009, the featured shooter is John Greenwell.
| Name: |
John Greenwell |
| Age: |
61 |
| Home: |
Scottsdale, AZ |
| Originally From: |
Owensboro, KY |
| Occupation: |
NSCA Level II Instructor and retired corporate executive |
| Years Shooting: |
20 |
| Years Shooting SC: |
16 |
| NSCA Class |
AA |
| Shotgun: |
Perazzi MX2000/8 |
| Ammo: |
Remington STS, 12 gauge, 2 3/4 dram, 1 ounce, #7 1/2 or #8 |
Q: What are your favorite things about
shooting Sporting Clays?
A: My favorite thing about Sporting Clays is
the endless variety of target presentations which demands that you to be a
fundamentally sound shotgun shooter. You must understand the line and speed of
the target, have the gun/body movement appropriate to the target, along with
mental discipline to consistently execute the plan you developed to take the
target. That is a big challenge, one that requires commitment to master, and I
enjoy that challenge.
Q: What is your favorite shooting venue?
A: My favorite shooting venue so far has been
the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club (Prior Lake, MN), closely followed by the
Caribou Gun Club (LeSeur, MN). Both of these clubs provided a variety of terrain
(hills, valleys, lakes, trees, meadows), towers, target presentations, and
hospitality that made sporting clays shooting the challenge and rewarding
experience that the sport is capable of offering.
Q: What has been your favorite shoot/event?
A: The US Open at the Minnesota Horse and
Hunt Club in 2002. Although I did not shoot that well, the targets, layout,
events, people, and vendors all made for a very enjoyable experience...despite
the Sunday morning rain, mud and humidity!
Q: What is your favorite target presentation?
A: I like all the presentations because each
places it's own unique demands on the shooter.
Q: What is your least favorite target
presentation?
A: Any pair that can be broken by one shot. I
believe the target setter should require the shooter to work for every target.
Q: What do you feel is your greatest challenge in
Sporting?
A: Without a doubt, the mental aspect of the
game has been the greatest challenge. For years, I worked hard on the visual and
mechanical skills necessary to shoot sporting clays. Until a few years ago, I
was not even aware of the mental side of this game. Since then, I have been
working hard to understand and improve that skill. I am slowly getting there. I
believe that a strong mental game will not only compliment the visual and
mechanical skills, but will enhance them as well.
Q: What do you feel is your biggest
accomplishment with regards to Sporting Clays?
A: That's easy...my ability to teach others
the sport. My shooting skills, combined with my understanding of how to teach,
provide me with a combination that allows me to introduce the sport to others
and improve the skills of those currently shooting. I had a proven track record
of developing the people who worked for me when I was in the corporate world.
Combine that experience with the teaching skills appropriate to this sport
learned through the NSCA Level I and Level II schools, I have a solid foundation
to help others. And the 800+ hours of individual instruction has allowed me to
fine-tune my teaching skills.
Q: What, if any, are your Sporting Clays goals?
A: I want to be able to honestly tell myself,
at the end of a sporting clays event, that I shot every target the best that I
could. I don't have to win the event, because I can't control the performance
level of others; I can only control my own performance. If I can say that I did
the best that I could, then I am a happy camper! I am a AA class competitor now
and reaching Master class would be nice, but that will be the result, not the
goal.
Q: Do you shoot sub-gauge events?
A: No.
Q: What is the one "gizmo" you find
most useful when shooting?
A: Good shooting glasses, ear protection and
a wide brim hat!
Q: What advice would you give to someone just
starting out?
A: For the new shooter, find a good
instructor and take some lessons. This game does not "come naturally". Start out
shooting fundamentally correct and practice what the instructor tells you. Don't
assume that shooting a lot of shells will teach you the sport...it may simply
reinforce bad technique and build bad habits. For those currently shooting, a
good instructor who is also a good coach will always improve your game. If you
can find someone who can teach, coach and is a successful competitive shooter,
you have found a great combination. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: Have fun and be willing to help those new
to the sport. Remember, you were once new to this sport and it can look
intimidating. Make a new shooter comfortable by explaining the simple things
like how the game is played - basic gun safety, how to keep score, what to do
when you step into the shooting station, what are singles, report and true
pairs. Give a little back to the sport!
Webmaster's commentary:
John's website can be found
here.
I'm glad John took the time to submit his questionnaire and send in a picture. Help keep the Featured Shooter feature going by filling out the "Shooter
Questionnaire." | 
