Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
Members Come Together for First In-Person Event of 2021
On May 27, 2021, the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) Carolinas Chapter (North Carolina) broke out of the COVID-19 quarantine with a bang! We held our first-ever 1st Annual AFSA Carolinas Chapter “Spring Hurry” Sporting Clay Event, and the response was great. The weather cooperated, the venue was perfect, and the food was outstanding!
Our shoot was held at The Fork Farm & Stables in Norwood, North Carolina, a venue rich in shooting sports tradition, and the event staff was spot-on with great service and anticipated our every need. We had 82 registered shooters, and while not all shooting skills are created equal, everyone had a great time and enjoyed the opportunity to get outside and soak up some sunshine.
The camaraderie and fun were genuine. Old friendships were rejuvenated, and new friendships were created. Vendors and contractors came together for a common cause, and we gained several prospects for new Carolinas Chapter members as a result of the event.
Shooters from New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia participated in the event, including AFSA’s Regional Director of Membership & Chapter Support Dominick Kasmauskas. Although the accents varied, the good-natured “trash talking” carried a common competitive theme that always accompanies a Carolinas Chapter event.
When the dust settled, and the smoke cleared, the awards were as follows: First Place – Carolina Fire Protection, Inc.; Second Place – Victaulic (Team #2); and Third Place – UTG Incorporated. The Top Gun Individual Award for High Score was presented to Jeff Phifer, Crawford Sprinkler Co. of South Carolina, Inc., Lugoff, South Carolina, who is also Secretary and Region 5 Director on the AFSA national Board of Directors.
The Carolinas Chapter would like to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to everyone who contributed in any way to our clay shoot. The event was a great success due to the teamwork and contributions of all involved, and 2021 has set the standard for future outings.
Presenting Sponsors, in alphabetical order, were Atlanta Winsupply Carolina Commercial Systems; Carolina Fire Protection, Inc.; Core & Main Fire Protection; Crawford Sprinkler Co. of Raleigh, Inc.; Ferguson Fire and Fabrication; Fess Fire Protection; Johnson Controls; Hajoca (Charlotte Office); Leonhardt Pipe & Supply, Inc.; Sunland Fire Protection, Inc.; Victaulic (two teams); and Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Inc. (three teams).
We’re already finalizing the details on our next sporting clay event to be held once again at The Fork Farm & Stables on April 7, 2022, so save the date!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: John W. Turnage is executive director of the AFSA Carolinas Chapter. For more information about the chapter and its events, visit afsacarolinaschapter.com.