Taking aim at breast cancer

MAT-SU - Valley women will take up their shotguns and aim at a good cause next month.

Grouse Ridge Shooting Grounds near Wasilla is hosting the Alaska Ladies Charity Classic June 3 and 4. The sporting clays competition is open to women of all ages and skill levels.

Sponsored by the Womens Shooting Sports Foundation, the event is designed to get women involved in shooting sports. At the same time, it will raise money for the Mat-Su chapter of a breast cancer support group.

This is a phenomenal event thats really designed to bring women and their family and friends together in the spirit of fun, friendly competition, said WWSF executive director Shari Legate. Legate is a formal national champion and member of the U.S. Shooting Team.

This is the fifth year for the event in Alaska and the second time Grouse Ridge has played host. Arlene Brunnhoelzl, the local tournament organizer, said Grouse Ridge took it over after the Delta shooting group that headed it up folded.

Were obviously interested in getting women into shooting, Brunnhoelzl said. While last year 17 women participated, Brunnhoelzl said she is hoping for at least double that number next month. And she said she is already getting a great deal of response.

Brunnhoelzl encourages everyone from newcomers to old-timers to show up. The tournament is designed to involve all skill levels. The June 3 shoot will feature Lewis-class sporting clays competition, which means women will be grouped by their skill level as they compete for trophies and other prizes.

But men wont be completely left out. On June 4, the event continues with two-person, male-female teams.

Registration on both days will begin at 9 a.m. and the shooting will start at 10 a.m.

The energy level will be tremendous, Legate explained. Lewis-class scoring will be used in all events, so novices and couples need not be afraid to participate. Were creating an environment that makes it easy for new competitors to join in the fun and raise money for a great cause.

Brunnhoelzl said the breast cancer support group is a group the tournament organizers are committed to.

We hope to give them a substantial donation from the proceeds of this years tournament, she said.

The support group wont be the only big winner. Remington and Browning shotguns valued at more than $1,000 will be awarded to two participants through a lucky score draw. Winners must be over the age of 18 and present for the drawing in order to win.

The pre-registration fees for the Alaska Ladies Charity Classic are $65 for the women-only event and $105 per team for the couples event. All registration fees include the cost of ammunition, targets, ear and eye protection and lunch. For those who do not have their own guns, some will be available to loan.

More information and registration is available by calling Brunnhoelzl at 376-2473 or e-mailing her at brunn@mtaonline.net.

The Womens Shooting Sports Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1993. It is dedicated to introducing women and their families to hunting and target shooting sports.Photo: Arlene Brunnhoelzl is organizing a tournament for women at Grouse Ridge Shooting Grounds near Wasilla next month.

Photo by EOWYN LeMAY IVEY/Frontiersman.