President’s Message

(April 2023)

Starting April 1, 2023, guests will be required to sign a waiver of liability. The updated guest procedure is as follows. It is expected that all members will follow this procedure when bringing guests to the club.

RSC GUEST PROCEDURE

• The Guest will shoot at member’s round fee. The member may log all rounds (member and guest) on his/her page in the log book to pay for

Guest rounds shot. Or, the Guest may pay for their own rounds by placing payment in a payment envelope and clearly marking envelope

“payment of guest rounds” including the Guests name.

• The Guest will also be required to pay a $5.00 user fee for each day that he/she shoots. The $5.00 user fee will be deposited in the envelopes provided and will be placed in the club depository located in the clubhouse. 
• The member’s spouse, children, and grandchildren (under the age of 25) may shoot under the member’s membership.
• For safety concerns, a safety offices or board member is required for every four guest that are brought to the club (i.e., 4 guests 1 safety officer/board member, 5 to 8 guests 2 safety offices/board members, 9 to 12 guests 3 safety offices/board members, etc.).

Effective:  Revised March 2023

Through a program with Commonwealth Edison, the club will be getting new LED trap and skeet lights at no cost to the club. The lights and fixtures should be installed in the next 30 days.

Our spring cleanup day has been moved to June 3 from May 5 due to a scheduling conflict with some of the board members.

The pistol league has been cancelled as George Ketters has some health issues. There is a possibility that it may be rescheduled during the summer.

We are planning to have tutorials for skeet on June 10, trap on July 15, and 5-stand on August 12 starting at 10:00 am. This is a good opportunity for to help new shooters improve their score.

For any members of our club and the Northern Illinois Rifle and Pistol Club that wants to be a member of the other club, the initiation fee for both clubs will be waived.  

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

815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-631-9366, Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483, or Dan Gengo at 815-572-1423. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee.

2023 Projects

• Club internet – TBD
• Replace furnace – completed
• Card readers – TBD
• Seal coat parking lot
• Repair/replace handgun range heater
• Install a vent in the club house closet door – completed
• Repair flag pole
• Repair skeet hoop

2023 Events

• Spring cleanup day – 6/3/2023
• Fun day – 6/24/2023
• Fun day – 8/26/23
• Landfill lunch – 9/22/23
• Venue tutorials
  • Skeet – June 10
  • Trap – July 12
  • 5-Stand – August 12

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, April 4 2023                                                                                                      

PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, Al Perry, Steve Wiltgen, Bill Shold, Caleb Davis, Mike Buckman and  Dave Zierke
 Todd Hendreys

1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30 by President Sam Valenza

2.     Minutes of March / 2023 – Approved, 6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved, 6-0

New Business:

1. Introduction to 5 stand– Summer
2. Membership committee, working on new ideas
3. Club internet, 0n order
4. Handgun league – TBD
5. New furnace – Completed  
6. New member orientation, 1^st and 3^rd Saturday of the month
7. BA Solutions new trap and skeet lights.  Approved 6-0
8. Twig arms ammo sale.  No 6-0
9. new welder for repairs. Approved 6-0

Projects for 2023

• Card reader systems, On hold
• Seal coat parking lot, spring
• Replace skeet light, in process
• Replace Handgun heater
• Replace boot on club house roof.  Completed
• NRA safety officer training, certification.  TBD
• Vents in closet door.  Completed

2023 Events

• Annual meeting – Completed
• Spring cleanup – June 3rd
• Fun days – June 24^th and August 26^th
• Landfill lunch – September 22^nd

Venue Tutorials: Skeet 6-10, Trap 7-15, 5 stand 8-12

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting May 2, 2023                                                                                 

Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis, Secretary       

RCS BOD, March 7, 2023                                                                                                      

PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, Al Perry, Randy Scott, Steve Wiltgen, Bill Shold Caleb Davis, Mike Buckman, and guest Dave Zierke
 Todd Hendreys

1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30 by President Sam Valenza

2.     Minutes of February / 2023 – Approved, 6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved, 6-0

New Business:

1. Introduction to 5 stand– Summer
2. Membership committee, working on new ideas
3. Club internet, 0n order
4. Handgun league – April through October
5. New furnace – Completed  
6. New member orientation, 1^st and 3^rd Saturday of the month
7. Guest Waiver, Completed- Starting 4/1/23     Steve Wiltgen recuses himself from adoption of language of guest waiver.       
8. BOD nominations – Completed VP Al Perry, Treasurer David Zierke, Directors Bill Shold, Mike Buckman, Steve Wiltgen
9. Move 5 stand   – No  6 – 0
10.  Annual dues payment procedure review – Accepted 6-0
11. Administration list update –  Accepted  6-0

Projects for 2023

• Card reader systems, On hold
• Seal coat parking lot, spring
• Replace skeet light, in process
•  Venue Tutorials, TBD
• Replace Handgun heater
• Replace boot on club house roof.  In process
• NRA safety officer training, certification.  TBD

2023 Events

• Annual meeting – March 25^th
• Spring cleanup – May 5^th
• Fun days – June 24^th and August 26^th
• Landfill lunch – September 22nd

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting April 4, 2023                                                                                 

Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis, Secretary       

President’s Message

(March 2023)

Our annual meeting is set for March 25 at 9:00 am in the club house. The board of directors will be addressing club finances, events and projects, election results, a guest waiver, and will take questions from the attendees.

Starting April 1, 2023, guests will be required to sign a waiver of liability. The updated guest procedure is as follows. It is expected that all members will follow this procedure when bringing guests to the club.

RSC GUEST PROCEDURE

• The Guest will shoot at member’s round fee. The member may log all rounds (member and guest) on his/her page in the log book to pay for guest rounds shot. Or, the Guest may pay for their own rounds by placing payment in a payment envelope and clearly marking envelope “payment of guest rounds” including the Guests name.
• The Guest will also be required to pay a $5.00 user fee for each day that he/she shoots. The $5.00 user fee will be deposited in the envelopes provided and will be placed in the club depository located in the clubhouse.  
• The member’s spouse, children, and grandchildren (under the age of 25) may shoot under the member’s membership.
• For safety concerns, a safety offices or board member is required for every four guest that are brought to the club (i.e., 4 guests 1 safety officer/board member, 5 to 8 guests 2 safety offices/board members, 9 to 12 guests 3 safety offices/board members, etc.).

Effective:  Revised March 2023

The 2023 club budget has been posted on the bulletin board on closet door for all members viewing. Also posted are the 2022 yearend financial statements.

The handgun range heater is still not working properly. We will make one more attempt to fix it and if not successful, it will be returned to the supplier under warranty.

A new furnace was installed in the club house by club member Evan Bomgarden. Nice job Evan. The furnace looks great and is very quiet. 

George Ketter has agreed to have another pistol league in the spring. If you are interested, please send George an email at geosueket@gmail.com.

If anyone is interested in getting certified for the handgun range, please contact Milt Schwanke at 815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-631-9366, Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483, or Dan Gengo at 815-572-1423. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee.

2023 Projects

• Club internet
• Replace furnace – completed
• Card readers
• Seal coat parking lot
• Repair skeet light
• Repair/replace handgun range heater
• Install a vent in the club house closet door

2023 Events

• Safety officers meeting – 3/11/23
• Annual meeting – 3/25/2023
• Spring cleanup day – 5/5/2023
• Fun day – 6/24/2023
• Fun day – 8/26/23
• Landfill lunch – 9/22/23
• Venue tutorials – TBD

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

(February 2023)

The 2023 membership renewal signup is now completed as of February 1. We lost members for various reasons which included death, illness, and relocation. We as a club are still very strong financially. As in the past, we will hopefully gain new members during the year to make up for the loss. We normally lose between 8 to 10% each year.

Our annual meeting is set for March 25 at 9:00 am in the club house. The board of directors will be addressing club finances, events and projects, election results, a guest waiver, and will take questions from the attendees.

Starting April 1, 2023, guests will be required to sign a waiver of liability. The guest procedure will be updated and communicated in my monthly newsletter in March. It is expected that all members will follow this procedure when bringing guests to the club.

The handgun range heater is still not working properly. We will make one more attempt to fix it and if not successful, it will be returned to the supplier under warranty.

As previously stated, a new furnace will be installed in the club house and is schedules for installation in the next couple of weeks. I will let you know which day it will be installed. Of course, there will not be any heat on that day.

George Ketter has agreed to have another pistol league in the spring. If you are interested, please send George an email at geosueket@gmail.com.

We are still working on getting Wi-Fi for the club. We have been told by Comcast that it will now cost us around $20,000 to $25,000 to have them run a cable to the club house. This is cost prohibitive and we are now looking for other providers.

WINTER SHOOT RULES

The following winter shooting rules are affective immediately:

• Trap and skeet fields and sidewalks are to be cleared of snow before shooting. Shovels are outside of the club house and in the storage barn. The snow blower is available for use and is located in the storage barn. Do not shoot on fields that have not been cleared of snow. Doing so will compact the snow and make it difficult to remove. It is everyone’s job to pitch in to remove snow from the sidewalks and shooting fields.
• As always, gun cases are not permitted in the club house. Guns will be permitted, but it is strongly suggested that they only be kept inside if it is raining or snowing

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

815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-631-9366, Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483, or Dan Gengo at 815-572-1423. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee.

2023 Projects

• Club internet
• Replace furnace
• Card readers
• Seal coat parking lot
• Repair skeet light
• Repair/replace handgun range heater
• Install a vent in the club house closet door

2023 Events

• Annual meeting – 3/25/2023
• Spring cleanup day – 5/5/2023
• Fun day – 6/24/2023
• Fun day – 8/26/23
• Landfill lunch – 9/22/23
• Venue tutorials – TBD

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, February 7  

PRESENT:  Sam Valenza,  Al Perry, Randy Scott, Steve Wiltgen, Bill Shold Caleb Davis, Mike Buckman and guest Dave Zierke
 Todd Hendreys

1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30 by President Sam Valenza

2.     Minutes of January / 2023 – Approved, 6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved, 6-0

New Business:

1. Introduction to 5 stand– Summer
2. Membership committee, working on new ideas
3. club internet, TBD
4. Handgun league – April through October
5. New furnace – Approved,6-0   
6. New member orientation, 1^st and 3^rd Saturday of the month
7. Guest Waiver, Starting 4/1/23            
8. BOD nominations – VP Al Perry, Treasurer David Zierke, Directors Bill Shold, Mike Buckman, Steve Wiltgen

Projects for 2023

• Card reader systems, TBD
• Seal coat parking lot, spring
• Replace skeet light, in process
•  Venue Tutorials, TBD
• Replace Handgun heater

2023 Events

• Annual meeting – March 25^th
• Spring cleanup – May 6^th
• Fun days – June 24^th and August 26^th
• Landfill lunch – August 22nd

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting March 7 , 2023                                                                                 

Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis, Secretary                                                                                                                                                              

President’s Message

(January 2023)

The invoices for the 2023 membership have been mailed. Let me know if you did not receive yours by emailing me at sam.valenza@att.net. Payment has to be received by February 1, 2023 in order to continue your membership. Payment received after February 1, 2023 will not be accepted. In order to be reinstated, a new membership application will be required with a check for $175.00

2022 was another busy and eventful year at the Rockford Skeet Club. The following are the major projects and events that were done during the year. The project included refurbishing the trap houses, installing a heater in the handgun range, repaired club house roof, purchased a new gas grill, and added fill gravel to the handgun/5-stand access road. The events included skeet, handgun, and 5-stand leagues, two club fun days, landfill lunch, cleanup day, and a skeet tutorial.

If any member would like to run or nominate someone for the Board of Directors positions of vice president, treasurer, and the three directors for 2023, please contacts Gino Nizzi at election@rockfordskeetandtrap.com. If you have already submitted a nomination, please resend it as the email address has changed as shown above. Nominations are due by February 1, 2023.

The club is still selling gift certificates. For $20 you can get two rounds for a guest and two rounds for yourself to help introduce our sport to your friends.  There is no guest fee to be paid!  For the next several Saturdays at 10 am board members will be at the club house to sell gift certificates. The offer is good for purchase through 1/31/2023, and certificates may be redeemed until 12/31/2023.

The BOD was considering having a monthly Saturday breakfast. Since no one volunteered to work, we won’t be having this event. If anyone would like to reconsider, please email me at sam.valenza@att.net.

George Ketter has agreed to have another pistol league in the spring.

There will be 5 stages of fire.

Stage 1. 12 shots in 25 seconds, distance 7 yards. 6 rounds in the pistol, reload with 6 rounds.

Stage 2. Same as stage 1 but distance will be 15 yards.

Stage 3. 6 shots in 12 seconds, distance 25 yards, strong side barricade.

Stage 4. 6 shots in 12 seconds, distance 25 yards, weak side barricade.

Stage 5. 6 shots in 12 seconds, distance 25 yards, standing.

All shooting will be done with 2 hands. Cost will be $5 per shoot.  Make up’s or pre shoot will be allowed. Course of fire will be the same each month. Ammunition will be given away as prizes. First 3 highest scores will be awarded extra ammo but everyone will receive some ammo. First shoot will be in April, last shoot in October. You must shoot all 7 matches to qualify for ammo. You could shoot all 7 matches in the same month so everyone should be able to get in the required number of shoots. George needs a count on the number of shooters. If you are interested, please send George an email at geosueket@gmail.com by January 15, 2023. Also, let George know what caliber of ammo that you would like at the end of the season.

As previous reported, we are still working on getting Wi-Fi for the club. The process has been slow but hopefully it will be done in the near future.

WINTER SHOOT RULES

The following winter shooting rules are affective immediately:

• Trap and skeet fields and sidewalks are to be cleared of snow before shooting. Shovels are outside of the club house and in the storage barn. The snow blower is available for use and is located in the storage barn. Do not shoot on fields that have not been cleared of snow. Doing so will compact the snow and make it difficult to remove. It is everyone’s job to pitch in to remove snow from the sidewalks and shooting fields.
• As always, gun cases are not permitted in the club house. Guns will be permitted, but it is strongly suggested that they only be kept inside if it is raining or snowing

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

815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-631-9366, Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483, or Dan Gengo at 815-572-1423. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee.

2023 Projects

• Club internet – in process
• Replace furnace
• Card readers
• Seal coat parking lot
• Repair skeet light
• Repair/replace handgun range heater
• Move patterning board

2023 Events

• Annual meeting – 3/25/2023
• Spring cleanup day – 5/5/2023
• Fun day – 6/24/2023
• Fun day – 8/26/23
• Landfill lunch – 9/22/23

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, January 3, 2023                                                                                                       

PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, Randy Scott, Steve Wiltgen, Bill Shold Caleb Davis, Mike Buckman and guest Dave Zierke

1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30 by President Sam Valenza

2.     Minutes of December/ 2022 – Approved, 5-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved, 5-0

New Business:

1. Introduction to 5 stand– Summer
2. Membership committee, working on new ideas
3. club internet, in process
4. Handgun league – April through October
5. New furnace – Approved,5-0   
6. New member orientation, 1^st and 3^rd Saturday of the month
7. Guest Waiver, In process
8.  BOD nominations – VP Al Perry, Treasurer David Zierke, Directors Bill Shold, Mike Buckman, Steve Wiltgen

Projects for 2023

• Card reader systems, Getting information
• Seal coat parking lot, spring
• Replace skeet light, in process
• Move patterning board, spring
• Replace Handgun heater

2023 Events

• Annual meeting – March 25^th
• Spring cleanup – May 6^th
• Fun days – June 24^th and August 26^th
• Landfill lunch – August 22nd

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting February 7, 2023                                                                                 

Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis, Secretary                                                                                                                                                              

President’s Message

(December 2022)

Club Treasurer Randy Scott has informed the Board of Directors (BOD) that he will not be running for re-election next year. Dave Zierke will be replacing Randy and a transition will start in January of next year. Dave will officially be placed on the ballot for the 2023 election in March. Randy has been an integral part of our club for many years and has done an amazing job as treasurer. Thank you, Randy. I look forward to working with Dave and know that his contributions will enhance our club now and in the future. Welcome aboard Dave.

The 2023 dues invoices will be mailed by December 15, 2022 so be on the lookout for it. Payment is due by February 1, 2023.

Looking for great ideas for your holiday shopping?  Give the gift of sportsmanship with a gift certificate at Rockford Skeet Club.  For $20 you can get two rounds for a guest and two rounds for yourself to help introduce our sport to your friends.  There is no guest fee to be paid!  For the next several Saturdays at 10 am board members will be at the club house to sell gift certificates.  The offer is good for purchase through 1/31/2023, and certificates may be redeemed until 12/31/2023. Happy Holidays from Rockford Skeet Club.

The BOD is considering having a monthly Saturday breakfast and is looking for several volunteers to run/coordinate this event. Job duties includes buying the groceries, cooking, serving, and cleanup. If anyone is interest in helping out, please email me at sam.valenza@att.net.

The club will be getting a new furnace in the next couple of months. Club member Evan Bomgarden, who owns an HVAC company, has given the club a deal that we can’t refuse. As a result, the BOD has come to an agreement with Evan to install a new more efficient furnace. By the way, our current furnace is 27 years old and I would say that we got our money’s worth.

Our friends at the landfill have filled in the pot holes on the handgun/5-stand access road. Thanks much to the folks at the landfill.

As previous reported, we are still working on getting Wi-Fi for the club. The process has been slow but hopefully it will be done in the near future.

WINTER SHOOT RULES

The following winter shooting rules are affective immediately:

• Trap and skeet fields and sidewalks are to be cleared of snow before shooting. Shovels are outside of the club house and in the storage barn. The snow blower is available for use and is located in the storage barn. Do not shoot on fields that have not been cleared of snow. Doing so will compact the snow and make it difficult to remove. It is everyone’s job to pitch in to remove snow from the sidewalks and shooting fields.
• As always, gun cases are not permitted in the club house. Guns will be permitted, but it is strongly suggested that they only be kept inside if it is raining or snowing

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

815-988-2278, George Ketter at 815-631-9366, Caleb Davis at 815-243-1483, or Dan Gengo at 815-572-1423. You will need to bring a handgun, ammo, eye and ear protection and a $25.00 annual fee.

2022 Projects

• Rebuild trap houses – approved
• Remove clay targets on skeet fields – completed
• Pistol range heaters – Completed
• Gravel for the pistol range/5-Stand road – in process
• Club internet – in process
• Repair leak in club house roof – completed
• Move patterning board – spring 2023

2022 Events – all events have been completed

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, December 6, 2022                                                                                                       PRESENT:  Sam Valenza, Al Perry, Randy Scott, Steve Wiltgen, Bill Shold Caleb Davis, Mike Buckman

 Todd Hendreys

1.     Meeting called to order at 5:30 by President Sam Valenza

2.     Minutes of November/ 2022 – Approved, 6-0

3.    Treasurers Report:  Approved, 6-0

A. New Business:

1. Virus guidelines – Keep as is.

2.  Update guest log book. Completed

4. Handgun range heaters, Completed

5. Update website. In process

6. New grill – Completed

7. Trap voice call repair.  Completed

8. Fix gravel road.   Completed

9. Roof repair- Completed

10. Move patterning board – spring 2023

11. Long range card reader, – Researching

a. Skeet league – Completed

b. Introduction to 5 stand– next year

c. Introduction to skeet – Completed

d. Membership committee, working on new ideas

e. club internet, in process

Friends of the NRA – develop for next year

 New furnace – Approved ,6-0   

New member orientation, 1^st and 3^rd Saturday of the month

Monthly breakfast – currently investigating

Guest Waiver, Drafted

Projects for 2022 – Completed

2022 Events – Completed

Meeting adjourned at 6:30

Next Board meeting January 3, 2023                                                                                 

Respectfully submitted – Caleb Davis , Secretary