The 2016 Mesquite Senior Games Pistol Shoot was held on Saturday, April 2 at the Mesquite Shooters Pistol Club’s range in Littlefield, AZ. Above are the bronze, silver and gold medal winners, many having won multiple medals in both rim fire and center fire shooting. Photo submitted.
On Saturday, April 2 the weather was comfortably warm, the sky was blue and sunny and the winds were nearly nonexistent; it was a perfect day to shoot something.
Even more perfect because on that day 50 people were going for the gold in the 2016 Mesquite Senior Games competition. Not everyone won a gold medal but everyone felt like a winner just being there. Folks who come from Las Vegas or are from outside Mesquite marvel each year at the improvements in both the efficiency of the experience and in the range itself.
From 9 a.m. until noon the Mesquite event, always held at the Mesquite Shooters Pistol Club’s Range in Littlefield, AZ, was run like a well-oiled machine at the hands of coordinator Mary Ellen Anderson. The job, not to be taken lightly, was made slightly easier on everyone at the hands of the Mesquite Shooters Pistol Club board members and the club members who continue to contribute and support the range as well as the Mesquite Senior Games.
Las Vegas resident Martha Antonio wrote, “The 2016 Target Pistol was the best! Mary Ellen did a great job. We from Las Vegas always look forward to the Mesquite games. Thank you all in putting on a wonderful match.” Vicki Jenks, a Las Vegas resident wrote, “I would personally like to thank Mary Ellen Anderson for an awesome job on the Senior Games Target Pistol event for 2016. Thanks also to the fantastic host, MSPC for another great event. They always have the best Range Safety Officers and volunteers to ensure a fun and safe shoot.”
Much like Anderson’s shooting ability, she won two gold medals in this year’s competition. Her organizational skills had an army of volunteers such as Range Safety Officers, score tabulators and coordinators working to move the competition along so everyone was able to relax, have a great time and not worry about anything going amiss. If gold medals were handed out to organizers, she’d have gotten three this year.
Moving targets are just one of the ways shooters can practice their skills in the new and constantly improving Mesquite Shooter’s Pistol Club Range in Littlefield, AZ. There are presently five bays where shooters can practice their skills in a variety of ways. Photo by Brian Morton.
The MSPC also wins the gold for the improvements they’ve made to the range and the growth they’ve achieved over the years. The range now has a total of five bays where shooters are able to practice their skills in a variety of ways from steel targets to barricades. The desert sun can shine away while shooters enjoy the shade of permanent structures with tables to lay their gear on. A large freight box acts as an office/supply/storage space and there is more to come according to Mesquite Shooter’s Pistol Club President Ovid Pinckert. “Club members are eager and excited to make and see the improvements. We’ve always had fun, it’s a great bunch of people to shoot with. Now we’re more comfortable while we’re having fun,” said Pinckert.
Regular club shoots are held each week on Wednesday and Saturday mornings at 9 p.m. in the winter months and 8 a.m. in the summer. For more information on the Mesquite Shooters Pistol Club and how you can become a member call 702-346-6314.
