United StateS natiOnaL RifLe teamSOUTH AFRICAmaRCH 2009

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Untitled-4 1 2/24/09 12:17:24 PM

ItIneraryUnIted StateS natIonal rIfle teamto SoUth afrIca 2009

SATURDAY 21 MARCH DepartU.S.

SUNDAY 22 MARCH ArriveandovernightinJohannesburg

MONDAY 23 MARCH DepartforBloemfontein/FreeDay

TUESDAY 24 MARCH TrainingDay

WEDNESDAY 25 MARCH TrainingDay

THURSDAY 26 MARCH SABU80thAnniversaryMatches

FRIDAY 27 MARCH SABU80thAnniversaryMatches

SATURDAY 28 MARCH SABU80thAnniversaryMatches

SUNDAY 29 MARCH FreeDay

MONDAY 30 MARCH 73rdSABUOpenChampionships

TUESDAY 31 MARCH 73rdSABUOpenChampionships

WEDNESDAY 1 APRIL StatePresident’sMatch

THURSDAY 2 APRIL StatePresident’sMatch

FRIDAY 3 APRIL StatePresident’sMatch

SATURDAY 4 APRIL GrandChallengeShield

SUNDAY 5 APRIL DepartBloemfontein

MONDAY 6 APRIL ArriveU.S.

NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

COMPETITIVE SHOOTING

11250 WAPLES MILL ROAD

FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA 22030

March 2, 2009

Dear Members of the USA National Rifle Team,

The Staff of the National Rifle Association and the Competitive Shooting Division thankyou for your dedication in joining the team on this trip to South Africa for the SABU80th Anniversary and Open Championship Matches.

We wish you all the best of luck and thank the companies and supporters who havehelped to make this trip possible.

Sincerely,

Mike Krei, Director

letter from mIKe KreInra comPetItIVe ShootInG dIVISIon

letter from dennIS flahartycaPtaIn, UnIted StateS natIonal rIfle team

Dear Team,

I wish to thank each and every one of you for joining us as we travel to South Africa.

We are thrilled that our first outing as the United States National touring team takes us

to beautiful South Africa for the South African Bisley Union’s 80th Anniversary

matches.

These trips are intended to provide our shooters and coaches with experience in inter-

national competition.  We encourage you to learn as much as you can, do your best,

work with your coaches, and most of all enjoy yourself.  It has been ten years since my

last visit to South Africa. I was very fortunate to meet many fine people and along the

way forge lifetime friendships. I encourage you to reach out to your international shoot-

ing community and do the same.

We would like to thank our hosts for welcoming us to Bloemfontein and extend our ap-

preciation to Syd Gosling for all his help.  

Best regards,

Dennis Flaharty

Captain

United States National Rifle Team

Bloemfontein, South Africa

the SoUth afrIcan BISley UnIonSaBU

TheSouthAfricanBisleyUnion(“SABU”)formerlytheSouthAfricanNationalRifleAssociation,wasformedin1928.SABUisthe

controllingbodyforfullborerifletargetshootinginSouthAfricaencompassingthedisciplinesofTargetRifle(generallyknownasPalma®intheUnitedStates),F-Classand.303(303isadisciplineusingtheformer.303servicerifleforformaltargetshooting).OneofSABU’smajorgoalsistoencourageandpromotethesportoftargetrifleshootinginSouthAfrica.TheheadquartersisinPretoriaandtheUnioniscontrolledbyacouncilconsistingoftworepresentativeseachfromeachofSouthAfrica’snineprovinces.ThedaytodaybusinessisvestedinanExecutiveCommitteewhichimplementsthepolicy

formulatedbytheCouncil,whichincludesorganizingandpresentingtheSAOpenChampionshipseachyear.TheSouthAfricanNationalRifleAssociation(SANRA)wasformedonJuly1,1928whenthefourprovincialRifleAssociationsthatexistedatthetimeweredisbanded.Theorganization’snamewaschangedtoSABUonApril11,2000.

The SouTh AfricAn open chAmpionShipSTheFirstSouthAfricanOpenChampionshipwasheldbySANRAinAugust1929inCapeTown.

Sincethen,theyhavebeenheldeveryyearwiththeexceptionoftheWorldWarIIyearsof1940-1947.The2009championshipwillbethe73rdSAOpenChampionshippresentedbySANRA/SABU.2009alsomarksthe80thanniversaryofthefirstchampionship.MostoftheChampionshipshavebeenheldinBloemfontein,whichfeaturesexceptionalfacilitiesandiscentrallysituatedinthecountry.OftheninematchestodaywhichmakeuptheGrandAggregate,(forapossiblescoreof665),sevendatebacktothefirstchampionshipin1929.ThepremiermatchistheStatePresident’sMatch.Thewinnerofthismatchis“chaired”insimilar

fashiontothewinnersoftheQueen’sandGovernorGeneral’sfinalsintheUnitedKingdomandCanadarespectively.ThechampionshipsgenerallyrunfromSaturdaytothefollowingSaturday;shootingdoesnottakeplaceontheSundayinbetween.In2009thedatesareSaturdayMarch28toSaturdayApril4.The80thAnniversarymatches,whichtakeplaceimmediatelypriortotheSouthAfricanOpen,areonThursdaythe26thandFriday27thofMarch2009.

SouTh AfricAThesouthernmostcountryontheAfricancontinent,hasnineprovinces:Limpopo,Mpumulanga,

Gauteng,NorthWest,FreeState,Kwazulu-Natal,NorthernCape,EasternCapeandWesternCape.ThemajorcitiesareJohannesburgandPretoriainGauteng,DurbaninKwazuluNatal,PortElizabethintheEasternCapeandCapeTownintheWesternCape.Thepopulationisabout48million.Therearegamereservesinvariouspartsofthecountry,thelargestbeingtheKrugerNationalParkinthenorthofthecountry.TheSouthAfricanOpenChampionshipswhichwillbeheldinBloemfonteinabout400kilometers

southofJohannesburg,willtakeplaceattheendofsummer.

team BIoGraPhIeS

DENNIS R. FLAHARTY, TEAMCAPTAIN

Dennisisthecofounder,PresidentandCEOofSypherMediaInternational(SMI),aleadingdeveloperofnetworkmediasecurityandrelatedTVsoftwareproducts.Dennisisactiveinlongrangeshootingandhassignificantinternationalexperience.Hewasamemberofthe1995,1999,2003and2007USAPalma®Teams;andthe1997,1998,2000,2002and2005USAGoodwillTeams.Inaddition,hecompetedinthe1992,1993and1994CanadaBritishColumbiaProvincialMatches.Heholdsseveralsignificantlongrangeshootingtitles.HewastheCaliforniaStateLongRangeChampionin1992,1995,2002,and2005;theCaliforniaNationalChampionPalma®RifleatLongRangein1996;theCaliforniaPalma®Championin1997,2000,2005and2006;andthe2005CanadaNationalChampionship.223Champion.

DAN SIMPSON, VICECAPTAIN–EASTCOAST

DanisthePresidentandco-ownerofGalaxyGlass&AluminumInc.,acommercialglassandglazingcontractorwithlocationsintheNewEnglandandmid-Atlanticarea.HeliveswithKathy,hiswonderfulwifeof16yearsinChester,NewHampshire.DanenjoysbirdhuntingwithhisyellowLab,Emma,andspendingtimeoutdoorsinhisRV.DanwastheGovernorGeneralGoldMedalwinneratthe

CFRCmatchesin2001andwasCaptainoftheU.S.RifleTeamtoCanadain2002.DanisalsoafivetimeNewHampshireStatehigh-powerchampionandhaswonmanystateandregionalmatchesinbothHighPowerandLongRangeshooting.InJulyof2005,Danfiredtwoback-to-backperfect450Palma®scoresduringaregisteredlongrangematchinAlbany,NY.Heistheonlypersontohaveaccomplishedthisfeat.Danwasamemberofthe2003U.S.Palma®Teamaswellasamemberonthe2007teamuntilworkcommitmentsledhimtowithdraw.

Cape Town, South Afrca

THOMAS WHITAkER, VICECAPTAIN–WESTCOAST

TomlivesinYorbaLinda,Californiawithhiswife,Kathy.Hehasbeenadentistfortwenty-eightyearsgraduatingfromtheUniversityofSouthernCaliforniaSchoolofDentistry.Hehasbeenshootingforforty-nineyearsduringwhichtimehehascompetedinsmall-bore,ISSF,andfull-bore.Hewasamemberofthe1979USAPan-AmericanGoldMedalRifleTeam.HewasamemberoffourU.S.Palma®Teams,andMainCoachofthe2003U.S.Palma®Team.TomhaswonseveralNationalandInternationalChampionshipsandholdsUSANationalRecordsinbothsmall-boreandhigh-powerrifle.HeisthecurrentVeteransWorldFullboreChampion.Whennotshooting,Tomenjoysgolf,butonlycandreamofbeingasgoodatthatsportasheisatshooting.

SFC EMIL PRASLICk III, HEADCOACH

EmilistheHeadCoachoftheUnitedStatesArmyMarksmanshipUnit(AMU)postedatFt.Benning,Georgia.Hisdistinguishedrecordinhigh-powershooting,firstasasServiceRifleshooter,andlaterasacoach,andinlong-rangeshootingspansoveradecade.Asashooter,hewastheInter-ServiceLongRangeChampionandIndividualOverallChampionin1997and1998respectively.Hewasafiringmemberandcoachofseveralre-cord-settingServiceRifleteamsincludingthe“cleansweep”teamof1999.From2002-2007,EmilcoachedteamstonationalrecordsintheNationalTrophyTeammatch(2004),theInter-ServiceMCCDCTeam(2005),theRoumanianTrophy(2005),andtheHerrickTrophy(2006).In2007,hewasthecoachofthewinningHerrickandRoumanianTrophyteams,thefirstdouble-winintheseeventsfortheArmysince1986.Emilwasamemberofthe2003and2007U.S.Palma®teams,acoachforthe2002and2005

USF-Classteam,andhascompetedattheDCRAmatchesinConnaughtforthelastfewyears.

RObERT STEkETEE,SOUTHAFRICATOURINGTRIPTEAMADJUTANT

BobhasbeentravelingwiththeUnitedStatesGoodwillandNationalTeamssince1997whenhetravelledforthefirsttimewiththeteamtoSouthAfrica.HehasreceivednumerousawardsforlongrangeshootingandwillbeamemberoftheVeteransteamforthe2010WorldChampionshipinAustralia.

IAN CHEESEMAN, PALMATEAMADJUTANT

IanisthefounderandPresidentofLVACorporateCommunications,aleadingpublicrelationsandcommunicationsconsultancy.Ianhasspent25yearsinthecommunicationsindustryasajournalistandpublicrelationsexecutive.Ianisalongtimesupporteroflongrangeshootingandhassponsoredsignificantawardsatnationalandinternationalcompetitions.HeisthefounderandbenefactoroftheU.S.LongRangeUnder-25andUnder-21programs.Heorganized,selectedanddevelopedtrainingfortheinauguralYoungEagles(theteamsareknownastheYoungEaglesonlywhenshootingininternationalcompetitions)teamin2000.

SFC NORMAN ANDERSON

SergeantFirstClassNormAndersoniscurrentlyassignedasaSeniorinstructorintheU.S.ArmyReserveSmallArmsReadinessGroupatFt.McCoy,WisconsinwhereheinstructssmallarmsandmarksmanshiptoSoldierspreparingfordeployment.WhilerelativelynewtoPalma®NormisaveterancompetitorinthesportofHighpower.SFCAndersonspent15yearsontheUSAMUServiceRifleteamwhereamongotheraccomplishments,hewasafiringmemberofbothRoumanianandHerricklongrangeteamsthateachsetnewNationalrecords,aswellasthe2006WimbledonCupwinner.HealsowontheBillyC.

AtkinsTrophyforbeingthehighshooterusingaServiceRifleinthe2008NationalLongRangeChampionships.NormandhiswifeJenniferhavetwochildrenMatthewandMeagan.

LANE bUXTON

Laneresideswithhislovelyandtolerantwifeof21years,inOrangevale,California.HegraduatedfromWestmontCollegewithaB.A.inEconomics,andfromC.S.U.S.withanM.B.A.,andisnowageneralcontractorinthegreaterSacramentoarea.Hehasbeenshootinglocalhigh-powermatchesforabouttenyears,butfirstfiredaPalmariflein2005.Andafterexpendingmanythousandsofrounds,hehas“wonafew,andlostafew”matches.HeshootsashinynewGamboa-builtRPArifle.Whennotshooting,heishunting,fishing,orloadingmoreammunition.

Everyone is cheering for you in South Africa.

NXS 12-42 x 56

Nightforce Optics • 1040 Hazen LaneOrofi no, ID 83544 • 208.476.9814nightforceoptics.com

Our best wishes to the United States Long Range Rifl e Teams in South Africa. If you’re using a Nightforce, shoot with confi dence. After all, Nightforce shooters own more long-range benchrest records, including multiple world records, than any other scope company can claim. Good luck, shoot straight, and enjoy South Africa. Send us some pictures when you win.

TYRELL COOPER

SGTCooperwasbornandraisedinCalifornia.HeisamemberoftheArmyMarksmanshipUnitinFtBenning,Ga,wherehecurrently

resides.Tybeganshootinghigh-powerattheageoffourteenandpickeduplong-rangethefollowingyear.Hislatestshootingaccomplishmentsin2008include:winningtheHighpowerServiceRifleChampionshipsatCampPerry,OhioandwinningtheSpiritofAmericafull-borematchesinRaton,NewMexico.Heenjoysphotography,fishing,baseball,andfootball.(Healsoenjoyslongwalksonthebeachwithrandomprey).

DAvID L. CRANDALL

DavidworksfortheIdahoNationalLaboratoryandispresentlymanagingprogramsfortheDepartmentofDefense.Heholdsbachelorandmasterdegreesinmechanicalengineering.Hehasbeenanactivecompetitorsince1970inpistolandthenriflemarksmanship.DavidhasbeentheIdahoStateChampioneighttimessincebeginningactivelong-rangecom-petitionin1996.HeholdstheDistinguishedRiflemanbadgeandLongRangeHighMasterratingandwasamemberoftheUSPalmaTeamforthe2003WorldChampionships.Davidhasalong-standinginterestingunsmithing,machinework,andholdsseveralfirearmsrelatedpatents.

CJR Media, Inc. is a proud supporter of theUnited States Long Range Rifle Teams.

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STEvE CUNICO

StevelivesinRaton,NMandissemi-retired.Hecurrentlyoperateshisautomotivemachineshop,whichhehasownedfor33years.Duringthewintermonths,Steveisabiggame

huntingguide.Hebeganshootingsmallborepronein1989andgotintohighpowerlongrangein1997.Hehaswonseveralsmallboreproneregionalandstatechampionships.HehaswontheTexasStatehighpowerlongrangechampionship,andhaswontheColoradohighpowerlongrangechampionshiptwice.

SHERRI GALLAGHER HURD

PFCSherriJoGallagherHurdisamemberoftheArmyMarksmanshipUnitatFortBenning,Ga.Shehasbeenshootingcompetitivelyforoverfifteenyears.Sherrigraduatedwithanassociate’sdegreein2008asaveterinarytechnician.Shetakespleasureincompeting,training,running,andreading.

bOb GAMbOA

BobisrecentlyretiredfromhisautomotivebodyandframeshopinSacramento,California.BobwastheViceCaptainonthe2003USAPalmaTeamandiscurrentlytheHead

Coachofthe2011VeteransTeam.HewontheArmyCupin1986,placedinthetop25inthe2003WorldchampionshipsandhasbeentheCaliforniaStateLongRangeHighpowerChampion.Hewasafiringmemberofthe1992,1999and2003U.S.PalmaTeams.Healsoisacustomrifleandstockbuilder.HeshootsaBATbenchrestleft-handedactionwithaKriegerbarrel.

JOSH HARLESS

JoshcurrentlyresidesinFountain,Coloradowhereheworksasagun-smith.HeacquiredhisgunsmithingdegreefromTrinidadStateJuniorCollegeinTrinidad,Coloradoin2003.JoshwasamemberoftheUSAYoungEaglesfrom2000-2007.HewontheLong-rangeNationalsatCampPerryOhioin2002.Joshenjoysmanyoutdooractivities,includingbowhunting,fishing,andbuildingcustomrifles.

DAvID LITTLEFIELD

DavidlivesinKent,Washington,andisworkingforFatigueTechnologiesasaLabTechnician.Hebegancompetitiveshootingat13andhisshootingaccomplishmentsincludeLocal,State,RegionalandNationalMatchwins.Hefiredonthe2007silvermedalwinningUnder25TeaminConnaught.HeshootsRPAQuadlockactionswithKriegerbarrelsinClowardpronestocks.DavidisalsoanassistantcoachoftheWashingtonStateJuniorHighPowerRifleTeam(TheBadApples).

JORGE PUIGNAU

JorgelivesinFortLauderdaleFlorida.HeismarriedtoElenaandhastwodaughters,Jennifer(15)andJackelyn(12).Heenjoysfinecigars,scotchandgolf.Hehasbeenshootinglongrangesince2002,andalsocompetesinsmall-bore.Jorgeisthe

ChiefTechnologyOfficerandCo-FounderofAccellerIncanInternetMarketingCompanybasedinMiamiFlorida.HeshootsanRPAactionwithBartleinbarrel.

about Palma® Promotions, Inc

Palma® Promotions, Inc. is a not for profit tax-exempt amateur sport

fundraising organization. A 501(c)(3) organization, it was founded by Bert Rollins and Dave Fiehtner and was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Virginia on December 17, 1993. Palma® Promotions, Inc. is focused on supporting the USA Long Range Rifle Teams includ-ing the Palma® Team, the Veterans Team and the Juniors Team. All proceeds go directly to the captains and/or adjutants of each team.

Please visit us at:www.usrifleteams.com.

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