Fellow Shooters,
The year 2020 was a year of challenges and change for the PSSA. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown of the state, the PSSA was forced to cancel the Keystone Open, traditionally held in May. Despite COVID-19, the State Shoot only experienced a small decline in attendance over 2019 but both the PA Grand and the Summer Championships saw a dramatic increase in attendance over the 2019 events. Lastly, the Westy Hogan, like the State Shoot was only down slightly, and we hope to see an increase in its attendance next year.
There are many more changes in store for the PSSA in the coming months. The lead reclamation was completed in the spring/summer of 2020. As per the VGCC/ PSSA agreement, this money will be used towards capital improvements. Current plans are improvements to the main clubhouse which would include internal and external renovations, further improvements to the roads within the facility, updated voice-call equipment, electrical improvements to the upper campground, as well as a complete reconstruction of the PSSA website.
We continue to work towards the completion of the Northeast Shooting Complex (NESC), and are awaiting the approval of grants through the state of Pennsylvania, as well as the RK Mellon foundation.
We are still accepting donations as well to fund this project, and if interested you may contact either myself or Manager Chuck Fritzges.
Krieghoff will again be sponsoring the 2021 State shoot with the Krieghoff Challenge in conjunction with the handicap event on Friday of the State shoot. With their generous support, this has become the largest event of our entire shooting season, and one of the largest handicap events in the country, second only to handicap events at the Grand American.
PLEASE NOTE: The final 3 days of the PA State shoot have been restructured for 2021: The Krieghoff Handicap will be the ONLY event held on Friday. The PSSA annual meeting will take place Friday morning at 8 am with the Krieghoff Handicap and the Krieghoff Challenge to follow at 9 am. The Doubles Championship is being moved to Sunday morning prior to the Handicap Championship. Saturday will stay the same with the State Singles Championship followed by the Hall of Fame Reception and State Team Recognition. We hope that this will make the events flow smoothly and provide our patrons with a more enjoyable shooting experience.
Again, we want to thank everyone who attended our shoots in 2020, and despite COVID-19 the PSSA had a successful year. We hope everyone has an enjoyable holiday season and we hope to see everyone next spring at the 2021 Keystone open in May.
Ken Darroch
PSSA President
