Trap Talk From The Back Fence — Episode E164

Title: Florida Is Going BIG! | Silver, Pig Roast & CF5 Push
Hosts: Zach Nannini & Richard Marshall Jr.
Guest: Thomas Harrington (President, Florida Trapshooting Association)
Date: February 20, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode brings on Thomas Harrington, President of the Florida Trapshooting Association, to discuss the upcoming Florida State Trapshoot (March 17–22, 2026), held at the Silver Dollar Shooters Club in Odessa, FL. The conversation dives into innovations at the shoot, emphasis on shooter experience, trophy packages (including big silver prizes), and fostering community through food, inclusivity, and creativity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Florida State Shoot Preview & Innovations

[01:13, 04:18, 15:16, 23:44, 26:43, 27:53]

• Dates & Venue: Florida State Trapshoot from March 17–22, 2026 at Silver Dollar Shooters Club, following directly after the Southern Grand.
• Trophy Enhancements:
  • Expanded premium trophies, including Montana Silversmiths' buckles and customized leather bags.
  • Close to $60,000 in total trophies and prizes, including an estimated 200oz of silver (purchased at favorable market rates).
  • "Super HOA" (High Over All) buckles, now with separate categories for women.
• Event Schedule:
  • Tuesday: 300 targets; subsequent days: 200 targets/day (1,300 total for HOA).
  • Introduction of "walk up doubles” — practice doubles events with ammo trophies from Winchester, separate from main championship scoring.
• Inclusivity & Value:
  • All shooters (resident and non-resident) vie equally for trophies.
  • Efforts to improve value for entry fees by leveraging sponsorships and expanding non-shooting activities/events.

2. Leadership & Modernization

[04:18, 05:32, 06:22, 09:03]

• Association Leadership:
  • Thomas Harrington, in his second year as President, emphasizes bringing younger perspectives and technology into the sport.
  • Increased engagement and openness to change—favorites are raffles, dinners, and creative trophy ideas to keep shooters invested and excited.
• Presenter's Background:
  • Thomas began shooting at 14, took a break during early adulthood, and returned; now highly active in both the sport and the association.
  • Passion for shooter experience, shared with his wife (a former All-American).

Notable Quote:
"You have a different thought process, possibly on stuff…to grow this sport and to keep it hyped…if there's cool stuff to win, then people show up." – Richard Marshall Jr. [05:00]

3. Making Florida a Trapshooting Destination

[10:27, 11:21, 13:26, 14:37, 31:01, 32:23]

• Location Appeal:
  • Silver Dollar Shooters Club is praised for its lush facility, amenities (including two restaurants, golf courses, golf carts), and nearby Tampa attractions (theme parks, beaches, fishing, and restaurants).
  • The climate advantage: "it's going to be 75 or 80 in Florida" while much of the Midwest is cold in March.
• Family Activities & Dining:
  • Multiple off-day and evening entertainment options (Yankees Spring Training, seafood at Rusty Bellies, Sponge Docks, Greek dining at Hellas, Tarpon Turtle restaurant, and Three Brothers Pizza delivery to the club).
  • On-site amenities mean shooters and families can enjoy their stay without leaving the venue, but local dining recommendations abound.

Notable Quote:
"If you're on vacation, why not eat something you wouldn't get somewhere else?" – Thomas Harrington [34:55]
"For everyone that wants to come shoot, even if you don't, there's 27 holes of golf on the complex." – Richard [14:36]

4. Event Management: Smooth Operations & Proactive Club-Association Partnership

[18:05, 38:16, 41:08, 43:59]

• Club & Association:
  • Silver Dollar runs the logistics: hiring staff, setting targets, managing cashiers.
  • The association focuses on overall tournament administration, trophies, and shooter experience.
  • Efficient division allows the Florida Trapshooting Association to prioritize creative enhancements.
• Noise Ordinance:
  • Shooting allowed only 9 AM-8 PM; scheduling is tight, and weather can extend shoot-offs into the next day.

Notable Quote:
"I kind of like the idea that the Silver Dollar is just like…this is what we want to do, and it's executed." – Zach [43:58]

5. Shooter Experience & Continuous Improvement

[07:49, 23:05, 29:03, 45:23, 46:17, 47:01]

• Adapting & Innovating:
  • The association actively solicits donations/sponsorships (tripled in two years).
  • New events:
    • Pig roast dinner on Thursday for shooters and guests.
    • Silver shootout sponsored by Royal Sporting Arms and Midstate Precious Metals.
    • "Missing out" event with $1,000 guaranteed.
    • "Long run front" (best consecutive hits from the start) option in the singles championship.
  • Responsive to feedback: Will pivot on offerings year to year depending on what works.

Notable Quotes:
"If you give somebody a chance based on a lucky draw or a raffle…you're going to keep people coming back." – Thomas [22:05]
"We're not afraid to change…if you're not trying things, how are you gonna figure out what people like and what people don't like?" – Zach [47:01]

6. Growth, Competition Factor Push, and All-American Points

[41:41, 49:41, 49:56, 50:35]

• Competition Factor Goal:
  • Florida State Shoot aiming for Competition Factor 5 (CF5), which increases its value for All-American team points—last year, just under 100 entries away.
  • The drive is to get 34 more entries per championship event (singles, doubles, handicap).
• Equal Opportunity:
  • Prize eligibility "equal across the board"—non-residents not excluded.
• Encouraging Early Registration:
  • Pre-squad is open (via presquad.com), and early sign-up is highly recommended due to high turnout.

Notable Quote:
"You’re only a few squads away [from CF5]…that’s easy to get." – Zach [49:56]

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|-------| | 04:44 | Richard | "We need the younger people…Even the 30s, to get involved because you have a different thought process…to grow this sport and to keep it hyped." | | 22:05 | Thomas | "If you give somebody a chance based on a lucky draw or on a raffle…then you're gonna keep people coming back." | | 26:43 | Thomas | "This year we're on Thursday evening, we have a catered pig roast dinner…open to all the shooters and their guests." | | 27:53 | Thomas | "We're giving away almost 200 ounces of silver…The value that the shooters are going to get is huge." | | 29:03 | Zach | "That's being forward…not being reactive, but being proactive." | | 34:55 | Thomas | "If you're on vacation, why not eat something you wouldn't get somewhere else?" | | 43:58 | Zach | "I kind of like the idea that…the Silver Dollar is just like, you guys could say, 'Hey, this is what we want to do,' and it's executed…It's done." | | 47:01 | Zach | "If you're not trying things, how are you gonna figure out what people like and what people don't like?" |

Timestamps for Critical Segments

• 01:13 – Introduction of guest Thomas Harrington; Florida State Shoot dates.
• 04:18 – Thomas’s background; leadership philosophy.
• 10:27, 31:01 – Tampa area attractions, foodie tips.
• 15:16 – Event schedule and walk-up doubles explained.
• 23:44, 26:43, 27:53 – Trophy packages, sponsorships, pig roast, silver bars.
• 38:16 – Club vs. association structure/logistics.
• 45:23, 46:17, 47:01 – New event options, willingness to change.
• 49:41, 49:56, 50:35 – Competition factor push (CF5), All-American points.

Closing Thoughts

The episode paints a vivid, enticing picture of the Florida State Trapshoot as a can't-miss event: innovative, welcoming, and rewarding for shooters of all backgrounds. The combination of competitive enhancements, major prize value (notably the silver bars), inclusive hospitality (pig roast and dinners), and a proactive leadership structure under Thomas Harrington sets the tone for a major step forward for Florida trapshooting.

Hosts close by urging everyone to lock in pre-squad spots and enjoy both the excellent shooting and the sunshine.

"We're not going to stop trying to innovate and make it fun for everybody." — Thomas Harrington [50:35]