2004 Shooting Industry Masters

The real bonus was the thousands of dollars worth of merchandise donated as raffle items by Armscor, Benchmade, Chuck Staples Custom Knives, Columbia River Knife & Tool, CZ-USA, DPMS, Gunsite, Hogue, Para-Ordnance, PMC Ammo, Smith & Wesson, Thunder Ranch, Ruger and Taurus. The raffle held during the awards banquet raised $3,822 for Step Outside.

“The Step Outside program works, because it gets all of us involved.”

Perhaps the true value of the Shooting Industry Masters came in the presentation of the “fun factor” associated with the shooting sports.

“Where else can you go and actually participate in the sport you support and have fun at any skill level,” said FMG Publication’s Randy Moldé. “This proves you don’t have to be a top athlete or make a significant investment in equipment to have a great time shooting.”

“Once the teams that competed have had a chance to share their experiences with their friends in the industry and beyond, we expect even more support for this important program next year.”




	Industry Teams Step Outside For The 2nd Annual Shooting Industry Masters




	The 2nd Annual Shooting Industry Masters racked up high scores for fun in support of the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Step Outside Program. Shooters from throughout the industry took part in the two-day event at Desert Lake Country Club in Boulder City, Nev., Sept. 24-25. “Everyone had a great time. I received lots of thank you’s, and comments that it was a fun event and that companies will be back next year,” said David Shaw, event director. “The companies that weren’t here missed a great day.” Teams from a variety of industry segments realized the value of building relationships both inside and outside their companies by competing in this unique shooting event. “We’re knife manufacturers but we’re also shooting enthusiasts,” said Les de Asis, president Benchmade Knife Co. “What better way to support the shooting industry – it’s a major part of our business. This was a wonderful opportunity to get out and be a team with the members of our company, be with our friends in the industry and just have a blast. The companies that weren’t here missed a great day.” The event is designed to heighten the awareness of the Step Outside program and to raise funds to support the program’s efforts to introduce more people to the shooting sports. “The Shooting Industry Masters is a great example of the Step Outside program,” said Cyndi Dalena, Step Outside national coordinator. “It’s an excellent event and a lot of fun. It’s a great opportunity for companies to build their team by sharing a great day together.” The perks went beyond a great day of shooting. Each participant received a range bag from FMG Publications stuffed full of goodies, including eye and ear protection.











		Ruger’s Robert Stutler had reason to smile after shooting his way to a top-10 finish.













		Cyndi Dalena, Step Outside national coordinator, gives the thumbs up to a great event.













		Les de Asis of Benchmade proved knife-makers can shoot, too.

		The real bonus was the thousands of dollars worth of merchandise donated as raffle items by Armscor, Benchmade, Chuck Staples Custom Knives, Columbia River Knife & Tool, CZ-USA, DPMS, Gunsite, Hogue, Para-Ordnance, PMC Ammo, Smith & Wesson, Thunder Ranch, Ruger and Taurus. The raffle held during the awards banquet raised $3,822 for Step Outside. “The Step Outside program works, because it gets all of us involved.” Perhaps the true value of the Shooting Industry Masters came in the presentation of the “fun factor” associated with the shooting sports. “Where else can you go and actually participate in the sport you support and have fun at any skill level,” said FMG Publication’s Randy Moldé. “This proves you don’t have to be a top athlete or make a significant investment in equipment to have a great time shooting.” “Once the teams that competed have had a chance to share their experiences with their friends in the industry and beyond, we expect even more support for this important program next year.”











	Olympic skeet shooter Connie Smotek showed her prowess breaking clays on the sporting clays range.













	NSSF's Chris Dolnack reloads between rounds on the 100-yard rifle range.













	Ruger president Steve Sanetti took time out to talk about modifications made to their team's Mini-14 specifically for the Master's rifle event.	Shooting Industry’s Russ Thurman (c) with the U.S. Shooting Team (l to r) Kent Vail, Connie Smotek, Sarah Blakeslee and Olympic Gold Medalist Matt Emmons.

	Sponsored by the FMG Publications, publisher of Shooting Industry, American Handgunner and GUNS Magazine, the event is important to the industry, according to Tom von Rosen, FMG publisher. “Everyone knows that growing our customer base is important to the industry’s survival,” von Rosen said. “The Step Outside program works, because it gets all of us involved. That’s also why we’re sponsoring the Shooting Industry Masters. We invite all companies to field teams and shoot in the 2005 event.” Look for complete coverage of the 2004 Shooting Industry Masters in the December issue of Shooting Industry magazine.


	DPMS captured the team championship for the second year in a row. (Left to right) Jim Clark, Randy Luth, Al Greco and individual champion Bruce Piatt.

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