2014 Shooting Industry Masters Returns from Treasure Coast Capturing $100,000 for Shooting Sports
OutdoorHub 07.28.14
Sweltering heat and swarming predators were no match for the resolve of industry captains and mates in pursuit of shooting adventure along Florida’s Treasure Coast during the 12th annual Shooting Industry Masters, July 18-19. The nearly 400 participants and industry partners raised a record $100,000 for shooting programs.
“The people who are the shooting industry and support this event are without question, the most generous, adventurous and spirited group of individuals anywhere,” commented Randy Molde Masters chairman and FMG Publications VP of business development. A record-matching, all-time high of $70,000 was raised for the NSSF First Shots program, which includes funds earned through special custom gun auctions on GunBroker.com. Additionally, $30,000 was raised for the USA Shooting team, nearly tripling the 2013 total.
“Masters participants raise the bar higher every year with their unconditional support and collective efforts to grow and preserve the shooting sports. We tip our caps humbly to their willingness to embrace adventure and camaraderie regardless of climate or company affiliation,” Molde said.
“We at NSSF are very thankful for all the support given to our First Shots program and thanks go to FMG Publications and all the sponsors and participants in this year’s Masters event,” said NSSF President Steve Sanetti. “Getting prospective recreational shooters with diverse backgrounds to take that all-important ‘first shot’ is so important to our entire industry in this time when so many anti-gun forces are trying to demonize firearms, gun owners and our industry. With partners like FMG Publications, and the support of the record number of competitors that came out to the Shooting Industry Masters to have fun and contribute to the ongoing success of First Shots, the future of the shooting sports will remain bright.”
“Doing our part to facilitate support of both First Shots and the USA Shooting Team is an honor we don’t take lightly,” continued Molde.
In support of their quest for international gold, six USA Shooting Team athletes offered their superior skills to the highest bidding teams through the Masters “rent-a-ringer” program.
“This support is just the jumpstart we need in helping prepare our team for the next Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro,” said USA Shooting’s Director of Resource Development Corrie West. “We are unbelievably grateful to FMG Publications for the lengths they go to include our athletes in this event and raise our stature within the industry. A special thanks to GunBroker.com for the special auctions they facilitate on our behalf during this time, for those that bid on all the auction items that support us, and to the participating teams who draft our athletes and allow them to participate in the fun.”
Produced and managed by FMG Publications, the Shooting Industry Masters consists of handgun, rifle, shotgun and team tactics events with additional shooting excitement in side matches. This year’s event included 15 side matches that gave participants a chance to experience everything from saving Captain Philips with a 15-round burst from a full-auto FNH USA M249 SAW to testing defensive reaction skills from a “throne” position using a pair of suppressed Kimber pistols and a rifle.
A record 65 sponsors signed on to help produce the 2014 Masters. Industry manufacturers and supporters also contributed the largest collection of prizes in the 12-year history of the match, with more than 60 companies donating product for 80 raffle prize packages and 19 auction items.
The $70,000 raised by the 2014 edition of the Shooting Industry Masters increased the total for First Shots to $281,000 in six years.
For more information on the Shooting Industry Masters visit www.shootingindustrymasters.com.
