Why WSRC Sparta US Open can't Compete w Cardinal Center US Open?

Do you notice the Cardinal Center just has a shoot. Not much advertising unless this site does it for free? The ATA spends the year pumping up their US Open. The Buckeye had cold rain and wind thru the week and still had 1339 shooters. They had 500 more than Sparta. Why?

The ATA practically pays some shooters to go to Sparta. They offer a higher competition factor for the point chasers.

Why?

 

Location location location

 

Maybe so, but go to the ATA website and take a look at the scores at the Open. I admit it's a long trip, but I've attended two Grands, and think Sparta is a very nice venue to shoot.

 

There's more to a shooting location than trap fields, hotels nearby, good restaurants nearby & the most important factor medical facilities nearby-If the Grand was still in Vandalia, Leo could still be alive

 

Not sure where you got 1339 Shooters, Stuart results website shows 931 shooters. US Open 776 shooters. You must be talking about classified shooters. By comparison the US Open had 1 extra event. Added after the 200 singles on Saturday. Total entries for the Buckeye were 3,107, US Open(leaving event 11 out) 3,388 (With event 11 3,646). Less shooters compared to the Buckeye shot more events at the US Open.

Buckeye 2024 3,299 Entries 940 Shooters
Buckeye 2025 3,107 Entries 931 Shooters
192 less entries 2025 vs 2024
5.8% Decrease

US Open 2024 2,979 Entries(Extra event 197/3176) 700 Shooters
US Open 2025 3,388 Entries(Extra event 258/3646) 776 Shooters
409 more entries/61 more on extra event 2025 vs 2024
13.7% Increase

 

How many of the "two" were at Vandalia? Just kidding....I know the answer.

Sparta is designed to shoot and go to the car. A sixth grader could have done a better job designing the joint. Seeing your friends at the event is rare.
Ask the SCTP which venue they like. And remember they offered the SCTP free targets. They still chose 10 more years at the Cardinal Center.

 

Even if you use WSRC Brad's numbers the Cardinal still drew more than WSRC. And it was pretty much a rain out week. I never count entries. I count shooters. WSRC Brad needs his job. His venue is a failure.

 

In business you count entries. Jobs need entries. Thanks. Must of been a rain out week in 2024 too...

 

US Open shooters 930 Buckeye and 819 for Sparta....quite the embarrassment dont you think Brad? Many of those shooters attending Sparta are forced by the arbitrary competition factor. The pony will be ridden over the hill.

 

Nobody forces anybody, you go where you WANT to, same competition factor.

 

Look at Brad's post. It is typical of an ATA management post. Disregarding the loss of shooters / the downsizing of memberships / and the destruction of registered shooting.

 

I also don't know where your getting theses numbers. It is 941 for the Buckeye and 776 for the Open. at least get it right when you want to bash the complex.

 

Somebody needs to read the minutes and the rules. The higher competition factor is guaranteed to the US Open regardless of numbers.

 

Nope, just comparing apples to oranges. It was a great year for the Open.

 

Ah... there it is. I wondered how long it would take. criticizing the ATA is bashing.

 

That does not FORCE anybody to attend. Period. Last time I checked we still live in a free world.

 

It is billed as the National ATA event. And another venue had more. LOL

 

Yes....we agree. That is why the ATA knew they had to arbitrarily guarantee those competition factor points, and it is why the SCTP said no to free targets. Brad and his WSRC are the drain on the ATA.

The world outside of Ilinois may be free. Illinois is still a communist gun hate state.

 

Yep, and the year the shoot went from being The Grand American to a shoot at that place in ILLnews. THOUSANDS of shooters, NOT ENTRIES, BUT SHOOTERS, chose to quit attending what was once THE biggest shoot of their year.

You guys can try and "spin" it anyway you like. Blago promised, the state delivered. And both the convict and the state still have egg on their faces. What a White elephant that place turned out to be.

Does that old saying, I TOLD YOU SO ring a bell?

 

Why do you keep calling Blagojevich a criminal. He was railroaded into prison by the corrupt politicians in Illinois.He wasn’t trying to sell Obama senate seat ..He said it was golden.A lot of FBI edited taped were involved. You know the corrupt organizations following Trump..And not Biden .JessenJackson Jr would have been a buyer and SR would have put up the money. Illinois Gov Pricker also.
Look at all the money Illinois has paid out for jailing people who are innocent..Millions and millions of dollars of taxpayers money.
Blago was a Republican ..I can’t remember the last time the media told the truth He sure built a great gun club in Illinois.He also did a lot for the senior citizens. How did the Obamas get so wealthy???

 

Right, built a great gun club. Too bad the turnout there is PATHETIC huh?

 

Palos..... much of what you said is true. Especially the corruption part. Be careful painting Blago as pro gun. A few days after Blago made his speech at the opening ceremony he made an anti gun speech in another county and gutted the DNR. He bought the votes of southern Illinois and then sold them out.

 

Note to Brad....

I appreciate your opinion and your dedication to your job at the facility. The WSRC, and ATA management, have led you to believe those numbers are acceptable?

There is the before WSRC era and After WSRC.

We have witnessed the collapse of registered shooting. The supporters of the WSRC have led that collapse.

When no one attends the grand there is less trapshooting across the country. You are the cheerleader for the cancer of the sport.

The WSRC is on life support. The ATA is on life support.

Attaching an arbitrary competition factor to keep the WSRC breathing is admitting it is time to pull the plug.

The SCTP said no. Not even if the targets are free. Members said not there. The ATA had to give the HOF to Illinois.

The GAH once had 5,000 shooters. WSRC will cheer for 1,400.

You are viewed as part of the cancer Brad. You are part of the tumor.

 

Denial is really a sad thing to watch.

 

I see the usual suspects are off their meds again.

 

Another proof that ATA registered shooting is on life support--The North Carolina State shoot just finished NO EVENT garnered 200 shooters-its a shame a great venue like the NC Home Grounds- can't draw shooters-