Illinois Welcomes Participants, Spectators to World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta for annual ATA Grand American

SPARTA, ILL. - One of the premier events in shooting sports returns to Illinois on August 3-14 with the annual Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) Grand American Trapshooting Championships at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex (WSRC) in Sparta. 

The Grand American, which has been held at the 1,600-acre WSRC since 2006, annually attracts more than 7,000 shooters and 100,000 spectators and visitors to southwestern Illinois.

"We are delighted to once again welcome Grand American participants and spectators to the Land of Lincoln, and to the finest world-class shooting sports facility in the world," said Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller.  "We value our partnership with the Amateur Trapshooting Association and the many industry sponsors and organizers of the Grand.  Illinois and the WSRC are proud to be hosting this greatest of trapshooting events for the fifth time."

The WSRC features 120 trap fields spanning a 3.5-mile shooting line; 1,000 campsites; ample parking; a full-service events center and vendor mall featuring 80 exhibitors; and, on-site food service from southern Illinois' famed 17th Street Bar and Grill.  In addition to the trap shooting facilities, the WSRC skeet, sporting clays, archery, and cowboy action shooting sports facilities host events and open shooting opportunities year round.

The Grand American is one of the nation's oldest sporting events, begun in 1893.  The first Grand American using clay targets was held in 1900. 

For complete details on ATA Preliminary Week (Aug. 3-8) and Grand Week (Aug. 9-14) daily shooting events and competition, check the ATA Grand American program online at http://www.shootata.com/pdfs/2010GrandAmericanProgram_web.pdf

The WSRC hosts shooting sports events throughout the year.  This summer, the complex has hosted the U.S. Open Trap Championships (June 10-13), the Midwest Skeet Classic (June 24-27), the Scholastic Clay Target Program state skeet and sporting clays shoots (June 26), the annual Scholastic Clay Target Program/Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation Nationals (July 21-24), and is hosting the Junior World Skeet Championship (July 29-Aug. 1).  A variety of other local, regional, state, and national shoots are planned for this fall. For more information on the schedule and on the World Shooting and Recreational Complex, check the IDNR web site at http://www.dnr.state.il.us/worldshooting/