After a temporary move last year, the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) Grand American Trapshooting Championship has returned to the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta.
Last year, despite the protests of many local officials and legislators, the State of Illinois did not allow for the event to be held here. In order to hold the annual event, the ATA moved it to the Missouri Trapshooters Association (MTA) in Linn Creek, Missouri. But now it’s back.
This is the 122nd Grand and it is scheduled to run from Aug. 4 through Aug. 14, but the Grand actually kicked off with the AIM Grand National Youth Championships held on July 30 through Aug. 3.
“After the challenges we faced last year and the temporary relocation of the AIM Championship and the Grand American, it became evident that these events are the ‘Pride of Southern Illinois.’ Residents and businesses in this region dedicate a great deal of time, resources and efforts toward their participation and contribution to this annual event,” commented ATA Executive Director Lynn Gipson in this year’s AIM Championship program.
For more on the return of the Grand American, please see this week’s print edition.