A Resounding Success: 1st Annual NESA Pittsburgh Sporting Clays Event Brings Together Scouts, Sharpshooters, and Sponsors

This past Saturday, August 2nd, the National Eagle Scout Association – Pittsburgh Chapter proudly hosted its 1st Annual Sporting Clays Event at the stunning Coal Ridge Sporting Clays in Weirton, WV. The event brought together more than 100 participants, blending Eagle Scouts, community-minded sponsors, and sporting clays enthusiasts for a day of competition, camaraderie, and charitable impact.

Designed as a flagship event for the chapter, this inaugural shoot aimed to foster connections among Eagle Scouts across the Pittsburgh region while raising critical funds for leadership development, mentorship, and networking programs that benefit Scouts within the Laurel Highlands Council, Scouting America, and beyond.

Registration & Raffles: A Morning of Anticipation

The day began at 8:30 AM with check-in and a bustling registration area. Shooters filtered through the lodge, securing their spots and opting into a variety of raffles. Attendees had the chance to win a number of impressive prizes, including:

• A Benelli Montefeltro 28" 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun (Model 10882)
• A Beretta A400 XCEL 12-gauge Sporting shotgun
• A CZ Drake Over/Under 12-gauge shotgun, offered as the grand door prize

These generous giveaways were made possible by our dedicated Gun Sponsors:
Keystone Clearwater Solutions, Packet Viper LLC, Griffin Fluid Management, and Total Equipment Company.

As an added treat, all attendees were gifted a case of award-winning Belgica beer, courtesy of Belgica Brewing.

Coffee, Camaraderie, and the Call to Start

Inside the grand log-style lodge, guests were welcomed with coffee and donuts as squads formed and friends reconnected. The morning’s program officially kicked off with emcee James Brown, President of the Keystone Ramblers Sporting Clays Association (KRSCA), and Edward Strauser, Vice Chairman of NESA Pittsburgh and lead organizer of the event.

After extending thanks to our sponsors, the group received a safety briefing and course overview from Nathan, co-owner of Coal Ridge. At 10:30 AM, shooters boarded their carts—compliments of our Cart Sponsor, Four Stars Pipe & Supply (Eighty Four, PA)—which were preloaded with ammo provided by our Ammo Sponsor, RiP Group (Charleroi, PA).

On the Course: Sunshine, Shotguns & Scenic Vistas

Mother Nature delivered the perfect shooting weather—sunny skies, low humidity, and a cool 70°F breeze. The 19-station championship course, designed by renowned architect Marty Fischer, wove through hardwood ridges and scenic hills, offering a mix of woods and field shots for shooters of all skill levels.

From beginners to seasoned pros, participants enjoyed a variety of automated stations featuring standard, midi, rabbit, battue, and rabbue targets, launched at diverse speeds and angles. For some, it was their first time ever holding a shotgun; for others, it was just another beautiful day on the scenic clays course. But what stood out most was the spirit of mentorship and camaraderie that unfolded at every station.

Seasoned shooters shared tips on stance, swing, and follow-through, helping new shooters break their first clays with confidence. Novices quickly found that this wasn’t just a competition—it was a hands-on learning experience in a welcoming, encouraging environment. The laughter and camaraderie were tangible, and every hit was celebrated.

Whether you came to improve your aim, make new connections, or simply enjoy the outdoors, this event offered something for everyone—from first-timers to old pros, and everyone in between.

To spice things up, some stations also offered optional skill-based raffles, with prizes like YETI coolers and lottery ticket baskets up for grabs depending on your clay count.

Lunch, Prizes & Celebration

Back at the lodge, shooters turned in scorecards and headed to the vaulted lodge lunch hall and biergarten patio, where Peak Technical Staffing USA and Christie & Associates sponsored a well-earned lunch buffet and drinks from the full-service bar. Attendees dug into massive double cheeseburgers, potato salad, baked beans, and blueberry cobbler, while enjoying conversation and cornhole.

As lunch concluded, James Brown returned to the mic to announce the Highest Overall Shooter, Runner-Up, and the Top 3 Teams, each awarded a custom-engraved YETI trophy mug.

Excitement peaked as the 50/50 raffle winner walked away with over $900, and the gun raffles and door prizes—including the CZ Drake—were announced to roaring applause.

Looking Ahead: Building on a Strong Foundation

As the day came to a close, many attendees expressed their thanks and excitement for what’s to come.

"You’d never guess this was a first-time event," one participant shared. "Everything was run like clockwork. I’ll be bringing more friends next year."

The NESA Pittsburgh Chapter extends its deepest thanks to all participants, volunteers, and sponsors who helped make this day an unforgettable success. Stay tuned for details about our 2nd Annual Sporting Clays Event—coming next year!