Ok boys, I've really got a pig in a poke here for you now. Just wanted to do a posting about this potential event and see what kind of interest level there would be.John Davis and I have been talking for a couple years about trying to have a real live glass ball shooting match. Trying to recreate the past if you will, since there's not been one in probably 100 years or more.
The holdup has been finding somebody to make the traps, and of course glass balls to shoot at. I've been working hard trying to get both those things figured out. I believe I've got somebody that can make the traps so that's solved.
The real problem has been the glass balls. I had a lead at a glass blowing school in New Orleans but the hurricane settled that issue for me as the school is gone. My second thought was to use these reproduction glass fishing floats that you see all over eBay. They're about the same size and weight as a target ball and should do nicely.
I've contacted every source for them I could find but the costs have just been too high. I finally got it down to one person between me and the source so I got a price of about half what I'd been quoted previously. Still expensive but maybe within the realm if I could get enough guys committed to the shoot.
Our next adventure will be trying to find a venue for this. We'd like to have it an at already established double gun shooting event like the Southern. Davis is working on that as we speak, but it's still going to be a hurdle to jump.
So here's what I'm asking:
How many of you would be willing to pay $90 to shoot in a 25 ball match for the championship badge? We'd need money up front to cover the cost of the balls which is considerable. We'd allow three practice balls prior to the event, you'd get a nice score card and rule sheet as a keepsake, and the winner would get an old time style shooting medal to wear on their vest as bragging rights. We could handle 20 shooters, that's the limit. The 19 guys who didn't win the medal would still get to say they'd shot in the first glass ball tournament in 100 or more years, there's something to be said for that anyway.
Also I'll throw out there that if you'd just like to donate something to see this happen, we'd be happy to take it. We would print your name in the program as a contributor of course.
The cost of putting this on will exceed what we'll take in as far as entry fees but we're willing to cover what's left over just to be able to be part of it ourselves.
I know it's a lot to ask to commit to something that could be a year or more away but if we want to do it that's what it's going to take. So give me some feedback and let me know what your personal thoughts are. It's a lot of cash I know, for just 25 balls, but it's the best price I've been able to get in two years of trying.
Feel free to email me through dhoffard@ameritech.net if you have something you'd like to say in private.
Regards,
Destry L. Hoffard