President’s Message

(September 2026)

As previously reported, the club has experienced target price increases over the last three shipments and the club has absorbed the costs. As a result, the rounds fee increased from $6.00 to $7.00 on September 1, 2026.

We are planning on doing some landscaping around the 5-stand shelter on Saturday September 5 to till and plant grass seed. We are looking for volunteers to come out and help with this project. Starting time is 8 am until about 10 am.

There will be a compact pistol shoot September 12. Pistol with 4-inch barrels or shorter allowed. This shoot will be for those that carry a concealed handgun. Course of fire:

• At 7 yards shooter will fire 5 rounds and reload with 5 rounds, time is 20 seconds. 
• At 15 yards same as above.
• At 25 yards shooter will fire 5 rounds from left side barricade and then after a reload shoot 5 rounds from right side barricade. 10 seconds from each side of barricade.
• Last stage will be 5 rounds standing from 25 yards in 10 seconds. 
• A speed loader, speed strip or spare magazine will be needed. If you don’t have one just reload your pistol with single rounds.
• 35 rounds of ammo are needed. This shoot is separate from the pistol league so scores will not be counted towards high league shooter. A fun shoot with your tiny pistols. 

The club will be hosting a high school trap Harley Shepherd Invitational on Sunday, November 1. Several high school teams from around with area will be attending. As a result, we need volunteers to help with this event. If you are interested, please contact Ben Ratze at edleaderben@gmail.com.

Since our chief safety office and skeet machine mechanic, Brad Yocum, has moved to Minnesota, we are in need of a new chief safety office and skeet machine mechanic. If you are interested in one or both of these positions, please contact me at sam.valenza@att.net.

We have received a new shipment of orange targets which will replace the black rimmed targets. There still may be some black rimmed targets in the machines and the houses but once they are used up, only orange targets will be thrown.

2026 Projects

• Replace camera system – in process
• Seal parking lot blacktop – Spring 2027
• 5-Stand shooting shelter – completed

2026 Events

• Fun days – cancelled due to
• Landfill lunch – 9/25/26 weather
• High school trap invitational – 11/1/26
• Tutorials
  • Skeet – completed
  • Trap – cancelled
  • 5-stand – completed

If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact 

George Ketter at 815-631-9366, Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483 or Greg Baylander at

815-494-7321. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee (cash or check).

Remember gun safety is our number 1 priority.

Rockford Skeet Club Mission Statement

The Rockford Skeet Club’s mission is to promote clay target shooting and complementary shooting sports. The objectives are to promote those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team-play, and self-reliance which are the essentials of good sportsmanship. It is the duty of all members to contribute to the wellbeing, to protect, to grow, and to enhance the club and its membership.

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

President, Rockford Skeet Club

RCS BOD, September 1, 2026                                                                                                    

• PRESENT: Sam Valenza, Al Perry, Steve Wiltgen, Caleb Davis, Bill Shold, Ben Ratze, Mike Buckman

1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30

2.     Minutes of August – Approved, 6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approve 6-0

New Business:

1. New member orientation video – TBD
2. Youth initiative for skeet & 5 stand  November 21st
3. 5 stand league – Completed
4. Pistol league – Conceal carry shoot September 12^th

      5.  Ex members targets to be donated to youth shooters, yes 6-0

      6. Ordered targets – Completed

      7. Submitted letter to landfill – Completed

      8. Sponsor boy scout shooting stand –   yes 6-0

      9. Raise the cost of targets – yes 4-2 Completed

 Projects for 2026

• Replace cameras in process
• Seal parking lot –   Spring 2027
• 5 stand Shelter – Completed
• Landscape area along parking lot – Next Spring
• Landscape 5 stand area 9 /5

2026 Events

• Annual meeting – completed
• Cleanup day – completed 
• Fun day – 8/26 canceled
• Landfill lunch – 9/26
• Harley Shepherd trap invitationals – 11/1 and a possible earlier date
• Tutorials – Skeet completed, Trap Canceled, 5 Stand Completed
• 5 Stand clinic by Tim Turner 8/8 – Completed

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

RCS BOD, August 4, 2026                                                                                                    

• PRESENT: Sam Valenza, Al Perry, Steve Wiltgen, Caleb Davis, Bill Shold, Ben Ratze, Mike Buckman

1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30

2.     Minutes of July – Approved, 6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approve 6-0

New Business:

1. New member orientation video – TBD
2. Skeet league – under way
3. 5 stand league – Completed
4. Pistol league – under way

      5.  Ex members targets to be donated to youth shooters, yes 6-0

      6. Ordered targets – Completed

      7. Submitted letter to landfill.  – Completed

      8. Sponsor boy scout shooting stand – yes 6-0

      9. Raise the cost of targets to $7.00 per round – yes 4-2

 Projects for 2026

• Replace cameras in process
• Seal parking lot –   Spring 2027
• 5 stand Shelter – Completed
• Landscape area along parking lot – Next spring
• Landscape 5 stand area 9 /5

2026 Events

• Annual meeting – completed
• Cleanup day – completed 
• Fun days – 8/26
• Landfill lunch – 9/26
• Harley Shepherd trap invitationals – 11/1 and a possible earlier date
• Tutorials – Skeet completed, Trap Cancelled , 5 Stand Completed
• 5 Stand clinic by Tim Turner 8/8

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting September 8 2026  

Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis, Secretary      

President’s Message

(August 2026)

I was honored and humbled at our August Board of Director’s meeting when my fellow board members resolved to designate our new 5-stand shelter in my name. Wow, I’m at a loss for words. It has been a privilege to work with this and previous boards and members to make our club the best. Without all of you this wouldn’t be possible. Thanks for your support and dedication. Wow!!! What an honor.

We have experienced target price increases over the last three shipments and the club has absorbed the costs. After must discussion, the board has approved a price increase for rounds effective September 1, 2026 which will coincide with the arrival of a new target shipment. On that date, the rounds fee will increase from $6.00 to $7.00. This increase is needed in order to keep our club profitable and to be able to make improvement for the betterment of our club and members.

The 5-stand pavilion will be in use for two half day clinics on August 8 both morning and afternoon. 

Therefore, this venue will only be available to the members that have signed up for the clinic.

Rockford Skeet Club will be hosting a club fun day on Saturday August 15, 2026 starting at 9 am until around 1 pm. There will be attendance drawings for ammo, a raffle for $1.00 per ticket for10 rounds, and a free lunch. Also, if you break a pink target, you will receive an extra attendance drawing ticket. Please check in at the club house to receive your attendance ticket before shooting. Come on out and join the fun. If you bring a guest, please let me know by emailing me on or before August 10 at sam.valenza@att.net so that I can order enough food.

Skeet Field 2 is not operational. The card reader system has malfunctioned and has been sent back to Longe Range for repair.  

We are planning on doing some landscaping around the 5-stand shelter on Saturday September 5 to till and plant grass seed. We are looking for volunteers to come out and help with this project. Starting time is 8 am until about 10 am.

Just a reminder that our next handgun league shoot is being held on Saturday August 8.

Our club has continued the tradition of sponsoring a shooting station for the annul Boy Scout shoot scheduled for September 11 & 12, 2026 at Camp Louden in Oregon Illinois.

2026 Projects

• Replace camera system – in process
• Seal parking lot blacktop – Spring 2027
• 5-Stand shooting shelter – completed

2026 Events

• Fun days – 8/15/26
• Landfill lunch – 9/25/26
• High school trap invitational – 11/1/26
• Tutorials
  • Skeet – completed
  • Trap – cancelled
  • 5-stand – completed

If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact  

George Ketter at 815-631-9366, Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483 or Greg Baylander at

815-494-7321. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee (cash or check).

Remember gun safety is our number 1 priority.

Rockford Skeet Club Mission Statement

The Rockford Skeet Club’s mission is to promote clay target shooting and complementary shooting sports. The objectives are to promote those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team-play, and self-reliance which are the essentials of good sportsmanship. It is the duty of all members to contribute to the wellbeing, to protect, to grow, and to enhance the club and its membership.

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

President, Rockford Skeet Club

President’s Message

(July 2026)

Rockford Skeet Club held a club fun day on Saturday June 13, 2026. Drawing for ammo and a raffle for shooting rounds were held and a free delicious lunch was served. Our next fun day is Saturday August 15, 2026.

A trap tutorial will be held on Saturday July 18 at 10 am. The tutorial will be basic trap shooting instructions including hold points, break points, and foot stance.  Members and guests are welcome.

Construction has been completed on our new 5-stand shooting shelter. It is a beautiful thing. If you haven’t seen it, come on down and take a look and do some shooting. Thanks to Bill Shold for heading up this project.

The 5-stand pavilion will be in use for two half day clinics on August 8 both morning and afternoon. The clinic will be taught by Tim Turner currently shooting on the pro tour.  Both sessions are full, but a waiting list will be maintained by texting Al Perry 815-262-7512 or Bill Shold 815-978-8686.

The club was represented at the ISCA State tournament in June where Steve Howlett won the B class 12 gauge event and placed third in Super Sporting, earning six punches.  Al Perry won the D class Super Sporting and 12 gauge event, and took second in the preliminary event, earning four punches.  Bill Shold won the B class Super Sporting and pump events, and placed second in 12 gauge and 20 gauge, earning 7 punches. Congratulation to Steve, Al, and bill.

We have received and installed our new rabbit machine. The old machine has been donated to the Boy Scouts. We also, purchased a new gas grill.

Just a reminder that our next handgun league shoot is being held on Saturday June 11.

2026 Projects

• Replace camera system – in process
• Seal parking lot blacktop
• New member orientation video
• 5-Stand shooting shelter – in process

2026 Events

• Fun days – 8/15/26
• Landfill lunch – 9/25/26
• High school trap invitational – 11/1/26
• Tutorials
  • Skeet – completed
  • Trap – 7/18/26
  • 5-stand – 8/1/26

If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact 

George Ketter at 815-631-9366, Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483 or Greg Baylander at

815-494-7321. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee (cash or check).

Remember gun safety is our number 1 priority.

Rockford Skeet Club Mission Statement

The Rockford Skeet Club’s mission is to promote clay target shooting and complementary shooting sports. The objectives are to promote those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team-play, and self-reliance which are the essentials of good sportsmanship. It is the duty of all members to contribute to the wellbeing, to protect, to grow, and to enhance the club and its membership.

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

President, Rockford Skeet Club

RCS BOD, July 7, 2026                                                                                                    

• PRESENT: Sam Valenza, Al Perry, Steve Wiltgen, Caleb Davis, Bill Shold, Ben Ratze, Mike Buckman

1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30

2.     Minutes of June 2 – Approved, 6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approve 6-0

New Business:

1. New member orientation video – TBD
2. Skeet league – under way
3. 5 stand league – under way
4. Pistol league – under way

      5.   Water filtration for main water – completed

      6.  Ex members targets to be donated to youth shooters 6-0

      7.  Pump shotgun day completed

      8.  New grill – Completed

      9. New rabbit machine – Up and running

Projects for 2026

• Replace cameras in process
• Seal parking lot –   Getting quotes
• 5 stand Shelter – Completed
• Landscape area along parking lot – Next spring
• Reconfigure trap houses – field 2 completed

2026 Events

• Annual meeting – completed
• Cleanup day – completed 
• Fun days – 6/13 and 8/25
• Landfill lunch – 9/25
• Harley Shepherd trap invitationals – 11/1 and a possible earlier date
• Tutorials – Skeet completed, Trap 7/18, 5 Stand 8/1
• 5 Stand clinic by Tim Turner 8/8

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting August 4 2026                                                                    

Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis, Secretary      

President’s Message

(June 2026)

Rockford Skeet Club will be hosting a club fun day on Saturday June 13, 2026 starting at 9 am until around 1 pm. We have invited NIRPC members to join us. All venues will be open. There will be attendance drawings for ammo, a raffle for $1.00 per ticket for10 rounds, and a free lunch. Also, if you break a pink target, you will receive an extra attendance drawing ticket. Please check in at the club house to receive your attendance ticket before shooting. Come on out and join the fun. If you bring a guest, please let me know by emailing me on or before June 10 at sam.valenza@att.net so that I can order enough food.

A Skeet tutorial will be held on Saturday June 20 at 10 am. The tutorial will be basic Skeet shooting instructions including hold points, break points, and foot stance.  Members and guests are welcome.

Safety is our number 1 priority and all members are in a sense a safety officers in that if someone is unsafe, it is the members responsibility to politely correct the person that has violated our safety rules. If that person is unwilling to correct the violation, please report them to a designated safety officer (a list is on the club bulletin board) or to me and we will handle the situation.

Construction has started on our new 5-stand shooting shelter with a completion time frame is around June 12. If you plan on shooting while construction is being done, please yield to the workers and ask for permission to shoot.

On May 30 the club had its first ever pump gun skeet shoot. There were 18 participants and the high shooter was Greg Baylander with a 24 and the runner up was Caleb Davis with a 23. It seemed like everyone enjoyed the shoot and hopefully we can continue this next year.

The board has authorized the purchase of a new rabbit machine to replace the old one that is not and has not functioned properly. Also, the board has authorized the purchase of a new gas grill.

A handgun shoot is being held on June 6. You will need 1 magazine for your auto or a speed loader for your revolver. A total of 42 rounds of ammunition will be shot. The only time slot available is 11 am. 

2026 Projects

• Reconfigure trap house 2 – completed
• Replace camera system – in process
• Seal parking lot blacktop
• New member orientation video
• Mulch, grass seed, fill and roll ruts
• 5-Stand shooting shelter – in process

2026 Events

• Annual meeting – completed
• Cleanup day – completed
• Fun days – 6/13, 8/15/26
• Landfill lunch – 9/25/26
• High school trap invitational – 11/1/26
• Tutorials
  • Skeet – 6/20/26
  • Trap – 7/18/26
  • 5-stand – 8/8/26

If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact 

George Ketter at 815-631-9366, Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483 or Greg Baylander at

815-494-7321. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee (cash or check).

Remember gun safety is our number 1 priority.

Rockford Skeet Club Mission Statement

The Rockford Skeet Club’s mission is to promote clay target shooting and complementary shooting sports. The objectives are to promote those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team-play, and self-reliance which are the essentials of good sportsmanship. It is the duty of all members to contribute to the wellbeing, to protect, to grow, and to enhance the club and its membership.

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

President, Rockford Skeet Club

RCS BOD, June 2, 2026                                                                                                    

• PRESENT: Sam Valenza, Al Perry, Steve Wiltgen, Caleb Davis, Bill Shold, Ben Ratze, Mike Buckman

1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30

2.     Minutes of May – Approved, 6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approve 6-0

New Business:

1. New member orientation video – TBD
2. Skeet league – under way
3. 5 stand league – under way
4. Pistol league – under way

      5.   Water filtration for main water – completed

      6.  Ex members targets to be donated to youth shooters 6-0

      7.  Pump shotgun day completed

      8.  New grill – 6-0

      9. New rabbit machine – 5-1

Projects for 2026

• Replace cameras in process
• Seal parking lot –   Getting quotes
• 5 stand Shelter – in process
• Landscape area along parking lot TBD
• Reconfigure trap houses – field 2  completed

2026 Events

• Annual meeting – completed
• Cleanup day – completed 
• Fun days – 6/13 and 8/25
• Landfill lunch – 9/25
• Harley Shepherd trap invitationals – 11/1 and a possible earlier date
• Tutorials – Skeet 6/20, Trap 7/18, 5 Stand 8/8

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting July 7 2026                                                                    

Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis, Secretary      

RCS BOD, May 5, 2026                                                                                                    

• PRESENT: Sam Valenza, Al Perry, Steve Wiltgen, Caleb Davis, Bill Shold, Ben Ratze, Mike Buckman

1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30

2.     Minutes of January – Approved, 6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approve 6-0

New Business:

1. New member orientation video – In process
2. Gun racks – Rebuild 3   completed
3. Skeet league – starts on May 13th
4. Pistol league – starts in March

      5.   Water filtration for main water – NIRPC willing to pay for

      6.  Ex members targets to be donated to youth shooters 6-0

      7.  Pump shotgun day 5/30

Projects for 2026

• Replace cameras in process
• Seal parking lot –   Getting quotes
• 5 stand Shelter – in process
• Landscape area along parking lot TBD
• Reconfigure trap houses – field 2  completed

2026 Events

• Annual meeting – completed
• Cleanup day – completed 
• Fun days – 6/13 and 8/25
• Landfill lunch – 9/25
• High school trap invitationals – 11/1 and a possible earlier date
• Tutorials – Skeet 6/20, Trap 7/18, 5 Stand 8/8

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting June 2, 2026                                                                    

Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis, Secretary      

President’s Message

(May 2026)

Construction has started on our new 5-stand shooting shelter with a completion time frame around the end of May.

The club annual meeting was held on March 21. The board of directors discussed club finances, events and projects, and election results (all members were re-elected).

New cameras are being and have been installed in the club house, barn and handgun range house. Thanks to Jeremy Hernandez for coordinating this project

The trap house on field 2 has been reconfigured to allow for easier access and to limit interference with the trap machine. Field 1 was reconfigured last year. Thanks to Rob Tholin and crew for doing the work.

A new water filtration system will be installed in the next couple of weeks to remove the iron that is staining our sinks, toilets, and urinal. Club member Hal Wirtjes from Hal’s Plumbing will be doing the work.

Our annual club cleanup day was held on Saturday May 2. I want to thanks all of you that helped to make our club ground look great.

May 30 will be our first annual Pump Gun Skeet Shoot with a 9 a.m. starting time. If you don’t have a pump gun, shame on you, there will be guns available. A trophy will be awarded to the high shooter. In the event of a tie the shoot off will be doubles starting at station 2 then 3, 4, 5, and 6 if needed.  George & Sue Ketter will be coordinating this event.

As you may have notice, a lot of dirt from Lindenwood roads washes down our driveway into the parking lot causing a mess. The Winnebago County Highway Department has agreed to do some excavating around our drivewy to help eliminate this issue. This may have to be done periodically.

We have been having issues with our current bank and are now in the process to banking with Members Alliance Credit Union.  

Skeet League

Starting Thursday 5/14 Rockford Skeet will host an in-house Skeet League. The league will run from 5/14 to 7/16 Thursday nights (10 weeks), from 5:30 until done. This time is not set in stone, this is just the time I will be at the club, if you or other want to shoot earlier/later, make plans accordingly

Rules will be posted in the clubhouse, but here are the basics:

• You pay for your own clays using your own card.
• Cost is $25 per participant to enter the league; this covers a league ending banquet (just some food and trophy for HOA) on the final night. We will also raffle rounds off at the end of the league like we did last year.
• 50 clays (2 consecutive rounds) a week, if you can’t shoot on league night shoot whenever you want and leave the sheet in the clubhouse for me to collect.
• Lowest score of each 50 will be thrown out, or if you miss a week that will be your thrown out score.
• First 2 scores will calculate your handicap for the league. To establish your handicap on the first week with the largest gauge you will use. You can shoot later weeks with any gun of the same gauge or smaller.
• Shoot your handicap rounds with the gun you are going to use for the league. If you handicap with a 20ga, that is the largest gauge you are allowed to use during the league, if you handicap with a 12ga that is the largest gauge you can use during the league.
• Score sheets will be in the club house to fill out, and emailed every week. Please include a cell number for text communication regarding weather and other issues that may arise.
• Sign-up sheet will be located in the club house.

Rock Ridge and Rockford Skeet Sporting Clays and 5-Stand League

$235, includes 10 weeks of shooting, dinner at our last shoot, and a weekly shell raffle.

Rockford Skeet – 50          5 Stan Rock Ridge – 50 Sporting

      5/13                                          5/20

      5/27                                          6/3

      6/10                                          6/17

      6/24                                          7/1

      7/8                                            7/15

Rock Ridge: 14755 E Edson Road, Davis Junction

Rockford Skeet: 8104 Lindenwood Rd, Rockford

Top 8 scores will be taken, allowing for 2 missed

weeks or 2 throwaway scores. Shooting every

Wednesday night beginning at 5 from May until

July. We will have a random drawing of 50 shells for

shooters in attendance each week.

To sign up, contact Andrew (815-382-1232) at Rock Ridge or Bill (815-978-8686) at Rockford Skeet Club

2026 Projects

• Reconfigure trap house 2 – completed
• Replace camera system – in process
• Seal parking lot blacktop
• New member orientation video
• Mulch, grass seed, fill and roll ruts
• 5-Stand shooting shelter – in process

2026 Events

• Annual meeting – completed
• Cleanup day – completed
• Fun days – 6/13, 8/15/26
• Landfill lunch – 9/25/26
• High school trap invitational – 11/1/26
• Tutorials
  • Skeet – 6/20/26
  • Trap – 7/18/26
  • 5-stand – 8/8/26

If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact 

George Ketter at 815-631-9366, Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483 or Greg Baylander at

815-494-7321. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee (cash or check).

Remember gun safety is our number 1 priority.

Rockford Skeet Club Mission Statement

The Rockford Skeet Club’s mission is to promote clay target shooting and complementary shooting sports. The objectives are to promote those characteristics of honesty, good fellowship, self-discipline, team-play, and self-reliance which are the essentials of good sportsmanship. It is the duty of all members to contribute to the wellbeing, to protect, to grow, and to enhance the club and its membership.

Best Regards,

Sam Valenza

President, Rockford Skeet Club