We are saddened to report the passing of Don Mainland, the man who established Kolar Arms as one of the leading manufacturers of clay target shotguns since the 1990's. Mainland acquired the company founded by Larry Kolar in the 1980's, moving the tube-set business to his machine shop in Wisconsin. After producing trap guns for Remington, Mainland then began production of Kolar-branded shotguns made in the USA. The company is currently in its third generation of Mainland operation, with Don's son Jeff and grandson Sean now managing the business. In addition to the Kolar gun business, Don … [Read more...]
NSCA Legend Lois Neely Passes
It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Lois Neely, a true legend and cherished member of the sporting clays community. Lois departed this world on July 10, 2023, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be etched in the minds and hearts of our industry. Lois dedicated her life to sporting clays tournaments with an unwavering commitment to excellence, skill and service to our sportsmen. Her career began with the NSSA in member services in 1985. She moved to the NSCA in 1989, the first staff member to solely focus on the NSCA at headquarters, with member … [Read more...]
Final Shots: Robert T. “Bob” Lepor
It is with great sadness that we report that Bob Lepor, a great friend and leader of NSCA, passed away on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, after several years of illness. Members and staff of NSSA-NSCA knew Bob as a shooter, sportsman, and great competitor, but he was also a dedicated family man, fisherman, car-lover, hunter, and hard-working, successful businessman. Bob joined NSCA on March 14, 1994, shot 254,208 lifetime registered targets, and served in NSCA governance positions for many years. He served on the NSCA Executive Council from 2000-2013, including the Executive Council Chairmanship … [Read more...]
NSSA Mourns S. Hallock “Hal” du Pont, Jr.
S. Hallock du Pont, Jr., of Vero Beach, Florida, and Wilmington, Delaware, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2021, after a lengthy illness. "Hal," to all who knew him, lived life to its very fullest, passionate about each and every one of his endeavors. His contributions and service to NSSA-NSCA were pivotal and unparalleled in the organization's history. "In my 28-year tenure with the organization, no one has bridged the gap between shooters, the Executive Committee, and industry in both skeet and sporting clays as Hal did," said Michael Hampton, Jr., NSSA-NSCA Executive Director. "He … [Read more...]
Final Shots: Doug Hart
NSCA has lost a member described as “a Minnesota legend” – Doug Hart – on January 1. Doug and his best friend, John Lunseth, enjoyed the game of sporting clays in its early years in the U.S., competing as early as 1986 when the Minnesota Horse & Hunt Club started sporting clays competitions by hosting the first state shoot in the United States, followed by the first national shoot in the U.S. in 1987 by the United States Sporting Clays Association (USSCA). During these early years, the word got out about the game of sporting clays and other clubs in Minnesota and around the country started … [Read more...]
Final Shots: Larry Denison
Larry Denison of Northbrook Sports Club (IL) passed away on March 6. Northbrook manager Brett Seibert calls Larry Denison "one of the most active volunteers in Northbrook Sports Club history." Larry was a two-term NSC president and served terms as vice president and director. He also served NSC enthusiastically as Major Events chairman, Building and Grounds chairman, and Sporting Clays Committee member. "Larry was personally responsible for many of the physical and social improvements to NSC, and his assistance will be sorely missed," said Seibert. While he was an active sporting clays … [Read more...]
Final Shots: James “Jim” Swanzy III
James (Jim) Swanzy III of Clute, Texas, long-time president of Capital City Skeet & Trap, passed away on February 21. Jim and his wife Marian were married for over 40 years and lived in Austin. After retirement, Jim enjoyed shooting and riding and traveling on his BMW motorcycles. He played an integral part in making Austin's Capital City Clays a welcoming and fun location for shooting skeet, trap, and sporting clays. Following the death of Marian in 2016, Jim married Margaret Kana in 2017 and moved to Clute. In September 2018, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Jim fought the … [Read more...]
NYSCA Founding Father, Emil Misata, Passes
One of New York's first NSCA members, Emil F. Misata, 78, passed away on July 8, 2018, after a short illness. His member number indicates he was the 106th member of the entire association. "This is a sad loss for the New York State shooting community," says longtime member Louise Terry. "He was clearly a founding father of registered sporting clays in New York." Emil formed the New York Sporting Clays Association (NYSCA) in early 1993 along with Don Nickerson and Rhonda Driscoll. They applied to the NSCA for recognition as a state association that same year and also filed with the State … [Read more...]
Fredia Steen Passes
Fredia Steen, a long-time NSCA member, passed away on June 12, 2018. She and her husband, Harold, enjoyed 18 years of participating in many sporting clays events. They enjoyed not only the scenic travel to events but the fellowship and friendship of the other sporting clays enthusiasts. Fredia is survived by her husband, children, and many friends who will miss her greatly. NSCA extends its sympathies. For more information about Fredia's legacy, view the full obituary. … [Read more...]
Final Shots: Robert George Estes, Sr.
Our association was saddened to hear of the passing of Robert "Rob" George Estes, Sr., on December 17, 2017. Rob was an owner and served as CEO of Big Red Oak Plantation in Georgia from 2013 until his death. Rob was a dedicated supporter of NSCA and sporting clays who loved both the people and the sport. His love for the sporting clays community was immense, as was recognized in his active participation in numerous events despite his health decline. One of his happiest and most satisfying achievements over the last four years was seeing Big Red Oak Plantation secure and host the Georgia … [Read more...]
NSCA Mourns Passing of Anne Cherry
The sporting clays community is grieving the loss of a familiar face at the country's most prominent events. Anne Cherry, wife of champion shooter Wendell Cherry, died of pancreatic and liver cancer on June 5. Anne regularly accompanied Wendell at sporting clays tournaments and was well-known among the shooters, their families, club personnel, and the sporting clays industry. Anne was in the hearts and minds of participants at the U.S. Open Sporting Clays Championship, as the PSCA distributed red ribbons to everyone to wear in her honor. Anne was born in Mississippi on May 18, 1953. … [Read more...]
