Trap Talk From The Back Fence — Episode E118

45th Southern Grand Recap

Hosts: Zach Nannini & Richard “Ricky” Marshall Jr.
Date: April 4, 2025

Episode Overview

In this energetic and detail-packed episode, Zach and Ricky deliver an in-depth recap of the 45th Southern Grand, one of trapshooting’s most popular tournaments. The hosts share personal anecdotes, squad results, shooting insights, and behind-the-scenes stories, blending lighthearted humor with technical trapshooting expertise. The episode also features travel tips, food recommendations, and advice for both newcomers and veterans considering the Southern Grand and similar events.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life on the Trap Circuit: Travel, Teaching & Gear (00:41–07:00)

• Travel Updates: Ricky shares about lessons in Indiana (01:18–02:17), upcoming clinics, and the joys of returning to warmer weather after Midwest winters.
• Trapshooting Gear: Discussion of the new Dead Pair gun cases, comparison to Americase and Pelican (02:56–03:50).
• Pro Tip: Never put shooting glasses in your gun case; keep them in your backpack for safekeeping during travel.
  • "Here's one thing, folks, I will tell you. I never put shooting glasses in a gun case." — Ricky (04:59)
• Squad Rituals: Packing for shoots, favorite bourbon and cigar smuggling stories.

2. Southern Grand Atmosphere & Uniqueness (07:19–14:25)

• Why the Southern Grand: Zach expresses why Florida is his favorite—beautiful weather, laid-back vacation vibes, cookouts, camaraderie (07:21–08:09).
• Sponsor Shout-outs (brief, content-specific mentions): Krieghoff, Winning, White Flyer targets.
• Trophy Rich:
  • "They give the most amount of trophies away as far as like every handicap is champ through 10th place, which, you know, people want to win trophies." — Ricky (10:21)

3. Target Presentation & Venue Fairness (10:21–17:05)

• Bank Draw System:
  • Zach highlights how Silver Dollar may be "the most fair place to shoot in the country" due to random bank draws splitting shooters between club and golf course backgrounds.
  • Ricky cautions against “mental blocks” about tough banks:
    • "I never thought in my head, okay, I can't win because I'm on this bank… The mentality is you can win anywhere you shoot." — Ricky (13:49, 14:02)
  • Zach expands on how golf-course-side shooters face distractions: wildlife, golfers in neon shirts, background movement, but “target out of the house” remains the same (15:53).

4. Opening Days: Weather, Squad Drama & Speed (17:05–24:09)

• Rough Start: Rain, wind, and minimal squads led to wild first days of squadding, with stories of missing squadmates and single-box shoot-offs (17:05–22:06).
• Shooting Pace:
  • Zach: "We shot that first box of handicap and it took us three and a half minutes. And I'm like, this is, this is incredible." (21:12)
  • Discussion on how timing impacts performance, especially when transitioning from five-man squads to shooting solo (22:20–23:35).

5. Target Speed, Adjustments, and Technique (27:40–29:41)

• Adjusting Gun Speed:
  • "If a faster target, if you're shooting a faster target, gun speed is probably going to be a little bit higher." — Zach (29:13)
  • Both hosts stress matching barrel speed to target speed, with experience needed to adjust to subtle differences across ranges and weather conditions.

6. Squad Results & Standout Performances (24:28–44:32)

• Singles & Doubles: Tuesday and Wednesday featured perfect 100s in singles for both hosts (24:28–25:36), with Ricky later breaking through in tough doubles (30:25–32:05).
• Handicap Lessons:
  • Discussion on “the hole” in multi-day events—bad opening scores require a comeback mentality (30:06–30:25).
  • Ricky’s 397/400 all-around won by a wide margin:
    • "Canals was runner up with a 394. And then our squad mates Joey and Herbie had three. 93." — Ricky (30:58)
• Joey Charnigo’s Sunday 99: "He missed number six ran 94 straight… if you have a six or better, you're a freaking hero." — Zach (33:33–34:39)
• Championship Singles Shoot-Off:
  • Ricky: "We ended up shooting 150 total."
  • Ricky shot off while watching his son Tyler win Junior Champion, demonstrating multi-tasking:
    • "Were you watching him? And I said, yeah... That's what I tell you." (37:40)

7. Memorable Moments & Humor

• Bang-Pole Joey:
  • Legendary moment where Joey shot before the pair was even thrown in doubles, then roasted the second target—multiple "choice words" and lots of laughs (40:08–41:43).
  • "I've never seen anybody in my life ever shoot ahead of the… like, the target's not in the air. Pull, bang." — Zach (40:50)
• Doubles Shoot-Off in the Storm:
  • Postponed by rain, then brutal conditions led to very low scores in the doubles shoot-off (42:16–44:43).
  • Ricky jokes about missing more targets in 40 shots than in the last 300.

8. Travel & Food Recommendations (51:28–54:26)

• Dining Favorites:
  • “Tony & Nello’s” in Terra Verde and “Villagios” in Lutz; avoid chain places, seek out local gems.
  • Zach: “I prefer eating what the locals eat, doing what the locals do. I really, really enjoy that experience.” (53:02)
• Spring Training:
  • Beyond shooting, the Tampa area offers baseball, theme parks, fishing, and more (53:10–54:26).

9. Tips for Attending the Southern Grand (54:26–61:14)

• Pre-squad Essential:
  • “You have to consider it’s a full shoot, but it’s a good shoot. … If you haven’t been to the Southern Grand, I really think it’s one you gotta put on your list.” — Zach (54:26)
• Travel Planning:
  • Plan far ahead, especially during Florida spring break. TSA PreCheck or Clear are lifesavers at Tampa Airport; expect long lines and logistical hurdles (58:47–61:14).
• Try New Shoots:
  • Zach encourages picking a new shoot each year to expand your horizons, see new parts of the country, and meet new trapshooters (54:26–55:39).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On never getting intimidated by a tough bank:
  • “The mentality is you can win anywhere you shoot.” — Ricky, 14:02
• On squad timing and speed:
  • “You watch an individual that shoots the same way... on a five man squad or by themselves... that's how he practices." — Ricky, 23:23
• On mental fortitude:
  • "You can be done missing. Just because you take a 21 doesn't mean you need to take four of them." — Ricky, 48:41
• On Joey’s legendary doubles mis-timing:
  • “Bangpole. Just call him bangpole.” — Zach, 40:10
• Advice for traveling trapshooters:
  • “If you can get TSA pre or clear, I think those are fantastic things to have when you're traveling a lot for sure.” — Zach, 61:14

Important Timestamps

• 00:41 — Ricky’s upcoming clinics and travel plans
• 02:56 — Dead Pair gun cases and gear talk
• 08:58 — Ricky’s Southern Grand attendance history
• 10:21 — Trophy structure at Southern Grand
• 13:49 — Bank draw system discussion
• 21:12 — The infamous three-minute box
• 24:28–25:36 — Both hosts shoot perfect 100s in singles
• 30:58 — Recap of all-around results, Ricky’s 397/400
• 33:33 — Joey Charnigo’s 99 in tough Sunday handicap
• 40:08–41:43 — Joey’s "Bangpole" doubles moment
• 42:16 — Monday storm and insane doubles shoot-off
• 51:28 — Food recommendations
• 54:26 — Planning and pre-squadding for the Southern Grand
• 58:47–61:14 — Tampa airport travel logistics and tips

Summary & Takeaways

The 45th Southern Grand provided great competition, camaraderie, and memorable moments for the hosts and their squad. Ricky’s dominating performance in the all-around, Joey’s extraordinary Sunday run, and the squad’s shared successes are testament to both the challenges and rewards of big shoot weeks. The episode balances technical shooting analysis, practical travel logistics, and stories that will resonate with trapshooters of all experience levels.

Closing advice: Plan ahead, savor the unique atmosphere, try new shoots, and always keep your mindset positive—whether you’re facing tough targets, wild weather, or a background full of alligators and golfers.