2025 Member Address

Dear Most Valued Members of GHSC,

I hope you are all enjoying a joyful holiday season with family and friends! As we near the end of the year, it is important to update our Membership on what’s been happening at GHSC and how your hard-earned dollars—spent with us—are being used to improve the Club. Well… in 2024, there has been a lot happening behind the scenes.

Much of our growth this year has been internal, not as flashy or fun as some previous years, but all necessary steps to reach our long-term goals. Before we get into the details, I’m happy to report that GHSC has been honored once again as the NSSA/NSCA National All-Around Club of the Year. We have been fortunate to achieve this honor year after year!

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to share our ongoing plans. We’ve developed a concept for the Clubhouse floor plans, designed to better accommodate the needs of our members. A link to the floor plans is included below. To facilitate this future transition, we recognize that implementing new processes and procedures will be essential, and you can never begin planning early enough. We welcomed several new team members into key positions this past year to assist.

The excitement is growing as we get closer to realizing this vision! While I can’t say exactly when this monumental capital project will begin, I can say we are making excellent progress, and we are closer than ever. We plan to keep you well-informed as the project unfolds and new information becomes available.

At times, it’s hard not to feel as though greed is the dominant force driving today’s society. While I’m not suggesting this is always the case, I would assume I’m not the only one who feels this way. At GHSC, we take a different approach. It is fundamentally important to us that we offer our members the best possible value—one that not only surpasses what our peers offer but one that represents the best value any business can provide.

Over the past several years, dues increases have been based on the most conservative interpretation of national inflation. Next year, this approach will remain a major consideration, but we also have additional factors to account for, such as the increase in staff and services we are offering.

So, after much thought and consideration, starting in January 2025, the monthly dues will increase from $150 to $165. All other membership types will follow suit. We are not planning for any other Membership increases in 2025. Any additional costs incurred will simply be absorbed. Additionally, you may have noticed that we’ve been offering periodic ammo specials from time to time. We plan to continue cultivating relationships with ammo distributors and growing this program to offer the most competitive pricing to our Membership.

Ladies and gentlemen, we are excited about what’s in store, and we hope you are too. As always, I am available for any questions or comments. Or, if you'd just like to have a chat, please feel free to call, email, or stop by to see me.

On behalf of everyone here at GHSC, we sincerely appreciate your continued support and the friendship of you and your families. Please have a safe and enjoyable New Year, and stay safe out there!

See you soon!

Kevin Dougherty

Greater Houston Sports Club - COO

2019 Greater Houston Sports Club Briley Blue Goose

Written by: R.K. Sawyer

Greater Houston Sports Club (GHSC) hosted the 2019 Briley Blue Goose on Memorial Day weekend, from May 24 to 27. The weather was great all four days – sunny and warm, although a gusty onshore breeze made some of the targets more challenging than usual. The first RVs began trickling in on Wednesday, making the club’s steak dinner that night a little more festive than usual with the arrival of our guests. The tournament kicked off unofficially with the Thursday afternoon “50 for 50,” in which participants put up $50 for 50 doubles targets, the evening shoot-off under the lights determining who would win the pot. Organized and sponsored by Armour Strunk and John Barnes, it was a fun beginning to a great weekend. And everyone was a winner thanks to their great precision grilled steaks!

The Friday schedule this year was dedicated to the popular Buckle Race club tournament series. Now in its 6th year, GHSC’s Buckle Race was envisioned as a fun format to introduce competitive shooting without the pressure of a “big league” tournament. It succeeded beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. GHSC management came up with the idea to add the Buckle to the Blue Goose this year, dubbing it the Blue Goose Buckle Race, and it added a lot of energy to the already successful tournament. There was only one gauge allowed for the shoot - .410 – and it made for an interesting day as shooters chose from a flexible format of skeet, sporting clays, and/or 5-stand. Over 20 Buckle prizes were awarded, as well as cash for HOA, RU, and 3rd place.

Saturday was the kick-off for the Briley Blue Goose with its 400-target Main Event in 12, 20, and 28-gauge and .410-bore. The fun also included the May Madness Bracket, Golden Goose, and of course the club’s renowned evening buffets featuring mounds of Alaskan crab legs and giant shrimp. The morning opened with the 12-gauge event, with 20-gauge in the afternoon. At the end of Saturday’s 12-gauge shoot-offs, Tanner Bissell grabbed the Champion title with Robert Paxton RU. Saturday was hot, and although the targets were hooped to perfection, the wind kept in interesting. It was a testament to talent that as many as seven shooters were able to scratch out a perfect hundred straight.

Briley’s John Barnes organized Saturday evening’s Junior Fund Auction, and it is one that will go down club history. Always successful, this year broke all records, raising $6,000 for the effort. As Kevin put it, “the club will be able to fund a lot of Junior’s next year!” A warm thanks goes to organizer John Barnes; Briley, who donated a hand-built Model 1911 .45 pistol for the auction; and Benelli which donated a 12-gauge shotgun.

The next day saw the finish of Saturday’s 20’s and the 28-gauge Main Event. The string of perfect scores came to down Carter Wehrheim and Sheaffer Stanfill, 20-gauge Champion and RU, respectively, and in the .28-gauge Andre Torrens took the top title with Cameron Shuster RU. There were no perfect 100s in the always challenging .410 bore on Monday, but plenty of 99’s. In the end Robert Paxton nabbed the .410 HOA and Mark Villancourt the RU. After the barrels cooled Monday, the 2019 Briley Blue Goose HOA trophy went to Cameron Schuster’s 396 out of 400, with RU Caile Bradham only one target behind him.

GHSC members, Board of Directors and management team extend their congratulations to the winners, and wish to thank all of the participants, sponsor Briley, and the referees for making the 2019 Briley Blue Goose another special one. The club anticipates another great Blue Goose in 2020 and looks forward to seeing returning shooters and meeting new ones. More information is coming soon for the 2020 Briley Blue Goose, at www.Briley.com or www.greaterhosutonsportsclub.com.

Greater Houston Sports Club 2019 Diamond Classic

Written by: R.K. Sawyer

Some curved, some sailed straight, others looped or angled, flashing orange, black, and chartreuse against a blue sky or deep green tree line. Thousands of registered targets were launched for 400 contenders vying for top honors at the Greater Houston Sports Club (GHSC) 2019 Diamond Classic, held this year from October 10 through 13. With the shoot sandwiched between the Southeast Regional Championship in South Carolina and the National Sporting Clays Championship in San Antonio, October was a busy but fun month for tournament shooters in the south.

This year it seemed summer gave way to autumn right in the middle of the Diamond Classic. As participants made their way to the club on Thursday, passing the blaze of banners honoring past Main Event champions on Champions Drive, temperatures climbed to the mid-90s. By the time they left Sunday the first cold front of the season had dropped temperatures by nearly 40. The weather kept things interesting throughout the four-day tournament, particularly fickle wind conditions that blew from nearly every point on the compass and varied from light to gusts of 25 mph.

The 1,000-target 2019 Diamond Classic kicked off on day one with the Prelim, FITASC, 5-Stand, 12-gauge, 20-gauge, 28-gauge, and .410 bore events, as well as the 100-target Legacy Cup Super Sporting Event and Clay Snooker qualifying round. The 200-target Beck & Masten Main Event was held Saturday through Sunday. With payouts of $5,000 for HOA, RU $2,500, 3rd $1,750, and a payout range for M-E 1st to 8th from $1,500 to $200, the top shooters had every reason to keep their eyes on the targets.

The Legacy Cup Super Sporting Event and Clay Snooker contests were decided on Saturday afternoon. With $50 payout back to class, 180 shooters participated in the popular Legacy Cup Super Sporting. Bobby Fowler took home the trophy and prize money with a score of 93, one target ahead of RU Clint Foster. Cory Kruse topped the Clay Snooker elimination rounds and grabbed the main purse. The top contenders were running neck and neck at the conclusion of the first day of the Main Event. Zachary Kienbaum was in front, his score of 90 just one target ahead of John Monroe and Bobby Fowler, who were tied for second.

Between the competition and the weather, participants were ready for a respite by Saturday evening, and GHSC was ready to deliver. The fun started with an auction for palettes of ammunition provided by Able Ammo and followed by the celebrated Diamond hospitality party. Some local shooters had a difficult decision to make – Saturday evening festivities or the first game of the Houston Astros play-offs? Those who chose food and spirits over baseball made a good choice, with the Astros losing to the Yankees by seven runs while the partygoers were feted with shrimp, bacon-wrapped chicken, to-die-for artichoke dip, and stuffed mushroom caps.

Sunday dawned clear and cool with light wind. It was perfect conditions for the final day of the Main Event and scheduled the shoot-offs. No shoot-off was needed in the Main Event, as Zach Kienbaum not only maintained his lead in day two but smoked the course, winning the HOA trophy and purse by a ten-target margin over RU Annabelle Ayres, who shot a 176. Bobby Fowler earned third, shooting a score of 175. Annabelle Ayres was a force to be reckoned throughout the Diamond, winning the Lady Champion spot by nine targets over RU Desirae Edmunds, and she took Junior Champion with a four-target lead in front of RU Austin Kiemsteadt.

Tony G. Rivera won the FITASC Event HOA honors, his score of 90 besting RU Austin Kiemsteadt by two targets. In 5-Stand, Derrick Mein took the $500 HOA purse with a 93 over RU Zach Kienbaum’s 91. Jacob Cameron was the man to beat in the sub-gauge events, winning the Sub-Gauge Sporting HOA with a 274, as well as HOA spots in the 28-gauge and .410 bore. Paul McCormick was the 20-gauge champion.

GHSC's target setters Mike Boire, Henry Velazquez, and Jason Menke knew what they were doing when they laid out the course for the 2019 Diamond Classic. They designed most of the target break points right in front of the shooter at less than 40 yards, with good visibility and no quick windows. GHSC Chief Operating Officer Kevin Dougherty says that, instead of setting long, difficult targets, the club focused on technical shots and transitions for the Main Event. There was one target, however, that most everyone was talking about ­– a rabbu on the east course. “Almost no one could hit it,” Kevin said, “and it was 25-yards and right in the front of the shooter. I don’t know what it was about that target, but I think we’re going to hear about that one for a while.” The wind was definitely a factor, particularly to shooters on Friday and Saturday morning. Kevin added that “We usually try to make the Diamond’s side events more shooter-friendly, but some of these surprised us with that wind!”

2019 marked the 17th consecutive year that GHSC has sponsored the Diamond Classic. From its inception with a single sponsor, $1,000 of prize money, and 100 registered shooters, it has grown into one of the nation’s best-attended venues. Keep your eye on the 2020 Diamond Classic – it will be combined with the Southcentral Regional Shoot as well as a leg of the NSCA FITASC Grand Slam Series. GHSC has added a fifth day to the tournament and scheduled the dates for September 2 to 6. The renamed Southcentral Regional Diamond Classic and FITASC Grand Slam will be a shoot to be remembered. Registration is already open at http://winscoreonline.com/shooter_registration_nsca.php?tournament_id=4428

GHSC members, Board of Directors, and management team wish to congratulate the winners and thank all the participants who attended this year’s Diamond Classic. A big thank you goes out to all of our sponsors as well – without them, it would not be possible to host this spectacular event. Very special thanks go to title sponsor Beck & Masten North Buick/GMC, and to Legacy Ford for sponsorship of the Legacy Cup Super Sporting Event. Dozens of other sponsors stepped up to provide tournament jackets, hats, hospitality tents, meals, the Saturday night party, and every one of the shooting events. We look forward to seeing all you this spring at the Browning-Briley, to be held at the club April 1 through 4, and again in the fall at the Southcentral Regional Diamond Classic and FITASC Grand Slam!

2019 Browning-Briley

Written by: R. K. Sawyer & Jonathan Meyers

Greater Houston Sports Club (GHSC) kicked off the first of its ambitious 2019 competitive event schedule with the Browning-Briley (B&B), held from April 4 through 7. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the celebrated B&B and the second year GHSC has been event host. In addition to shoot sponsors Browning and Briley, Lincoln/Long Range returned as sponsor of the FITASC and 5-Stand, and White Flyer returned as patron of both Prelim events. A total of 525 competitors participated in the 4-day venue that offered a serious yet fun-filled schedule of events.

There were plenty of incentives for the field to shoot their best this year. At the top of the prize pile was a $4,000 payout for the Browning-Briley Main Event HOA spot, plus another $5,000 if the winner was shouldering a Browning. The runner-up cash prize was $2,500, with cash also awarded to 3rd place, Master, and Concurrent levels. In addition, the shoot offered options, trophies, and gift cards for Briley accessories. The Briley Sub-Gauge HOA payout was impressive as well, with an additional $1,000 thrown in if the winner was using Briley choke tubes. If you weren’t lucky with your score, you could still go home a winner if your ticket was drawn for the 20th Anniversary B&B commemorative Browning shotgun, the legendary ‘White Lightning’ with a set of custom Briley tubes. Or even one of the other 11 Browning shotguns at the Saturday night banquet drawing!

At the close of shooting business on Saturday, the familiar names of Bobby Fowler, Cory Kruse, and Justin Napier were at the top of the B&B Main Event scoreboard. On Sunday it was Cory, with a score of 193, who walked away with the 20th Anniversary B&B Main Event Champion spot. Bobby Fowler’s 189 nabbed him the Runner-Up (RU) title. Main Event Ladies HOA went to Haylyn Hanks with a 178, a comfortable nine targets in front of her nearest competitor, RU Meagan Harrington. In the Sub-Gauge Event, Gregory Nassar won HOA, posting a score of a 284, 12 targets ahead of RU Lyn Ward. Jo Ellen Collin repeated her performance of last year, again taking the Ladies Sub-Gauge HOA and smoking the nearest competitor by 25 targets.

Cory Kruse was on fire this year. Not only did he win the Main Event HOA, but also took top honors in the Lincoln/Long Range (LLR) 5-Stand, shooting a near perfect score of 99, and also the LLR FITASC Event. A pair of 97s tied Ed Arrighi and Nadim Nassir for second in the 5-Stand, and in FITASC Bayne Horne was named RU, his score tied with Cory’s and decided during Sunday’s tie breaker.

Haylyn Hanks earned the top spot in the LLR Ladies 5-Stand with Callan Seale RU. Haylyn was also named the LLR Ladies FITASC Ladies Champion after a tie breaker with RU Meagan Harrington. In the two B&B Super Sport competitions it was Justin Napier and Brandon Reising who took the Champion title with a 96 and 99 respectively. The RU title went to Ruben Spel in a tie-breaker and Jacob Cameron. The 100 target White Flyer Prelim 1 Champion was – you may have guessed it - Cory Kruse, his 99 one target in front of RU Steve Dickonson. Prelim 2 was almost as close, with Tom Sealy’s 99 two birds ahead of RU Logan Crane.

This year, after getting comfortable with nearly two weeks of sunny skies and comfortable temperatures, the weatherman made GHSC management a little nervous - rain was forecasted for three of the four days. Thursday in the early hours it poured, but stopped before the Prelims, 20- and 28-gauge Sporting and 5-Stand, the .410 bore Sporting, and Super Sporting events. The rest of the day was comfortable with only light winds and partly cloudy skies. Friday started with fog, light winds and no rain. For Saturday’s big guns the wind picked up from the south and the afternoon was warm, but the tourney dodged the rain bullet a third time. Saturday evening’s weather was perfect for the reception and banquet.

Returning shooters likely remember the Saturday shoot festivities from last year, when a cold front barreled through that delivered 25mph winds and a temperature drop of almost 35 degrees. This year it was no challenge to keep the reception’s crab cakes, truffle mashed potatoes, chutney-covered lamb lollipops, or tomato caprese skewers warm, and no one had to brave the elements to enjoy the banquet’s main course of beef marsala and chicken chardonnay with grilled asparagus and vegetable risotto.

But then there was Sunday. The morning started out sunny, although a black horizon quickly formed to the west that foretold what was to come. The worst of it hit about lunch time. Radios crackled the ‘come on in’ for the shooters before wind gusts topped more than 35 mph, blowing sheets of horizontal rain. It could have been a game closer, but after two hours the rain stopped. With the kind of fancy footwork GHSC is known for, the show went on. The last of the shoot-offs ran until about 7:00pm, a long day for both the club and the competitors.

Of the many high points from this year’s shoot, several are particularly memorable. One was the buzz on the field about the great target presentation, and it had to give Mike Boire a real sense of satisfaction in this, his first year as GHSC’s Operations Director. Another was the crowd reaction to Vietnam War medic and veteran Bruce Nied’s 28-gauge D-Class win. It was the Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipients personal best, and his score of 90 was 11 targets ahead of his nearest competitor.

GHSC was honored to host the 2019 20th Anniversary Browning-Briley. The club extends a sincere thanks to Browning and Briley, sponsors Lincoln/Long Range and White Flyer, and all the attendees who made the event a success. The 2020 B&B is sure to be as much fun as this year. Follow the event schedule at www.greaterhoustonsportsclub.com and be ready to register at www.winscoreonline.com!

VISIT US AT 6700 MCHARD RD, HOUSTON, TX 77053

Greater Houston Sports Club looks forward to exciting times ahead with you!
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