President’s Message
(October 2026)
The club hosted our annual steak lunch for the landfill folks in appreciation for all that they do for us on Friday September 25. This year they provided gravel for the 5-stand shelter foundation, mowed the long grass beyond the skeet and trap fields, unloaded the targets from semi-truck, and loaded the skeet houses with targets all at no cost to the club. They are terrific neighbors and friends.
Thanks to all of the members that assisted in planting grass in front of the 5-stand shelter and to Bill Shold for coordinating this task. The grass is growing tall and looks great.
Stonehenge Shoot on October 24. Our 5-stand pavilion perfectly aligns with sunrise at 7:17 am on October 24. The targets appear slower and larger on that date, C’mon down at 9 am for a scored 25 clay round. Top score wins 5 free rounds and second wins 3 free round as well. Ancient Druid costumes are completely optional. Contact Bill Shold at williamshold@gmail.com if you are interested in shooting this event.
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. Also, if you would like to become a safety officers, contact me at the above email address.
There are two guest target cards hanging on the bulletin board. If you have a guest and don’t want to use your target card for their rounds, they can now buy rounds on the guest card with a credit or debit card. Also, if a member’s card has an issue or is not with available, the guest target card can be used in the interim. Please be sure to put the guest cards back on the bulletin board when done shooting.
Please pick up your hulls when done shooting. I have been informed that someone is not picking up their hulls. This is unsightly and is disrespectful to fellow members and interferes with the mowing crew. Thanks for your cooperation.
2026 Projects
- Replace camera system – in process
- Seal parking lot blacktop – Spring 2027
- 5-Stand shooting shelter – completed
2026 Events
- Landfill lunch – completed
- High school trap invitational – 11/1/26
- Tutorials – 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