22nd Annual Charity Sporting Clays Event

The 22nd annual Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio (Columbus) charity sporting clays shoot was held Friday, September 26, 2025, at Eagle’s Nest Sporting Ground near Mt. Gilead, Ohio. It was a beautiful day for the event with Fall-like temperatures. Three hundred and twenty shooters attended, shooting either the morning or afternoon rotation at this one-day event. Dan Bailey and Christina Loudenslager and their staff did an outstanding job of setting the course. The grounds were immaculate as usual.

As in previous years, each squad was accompanied by a pro shooter to provide helpful hints and ensure the safety of all. Each participant received 100 targets, four boxes of shells, breakfast, lunch, use of a golf cart and a shooter’s gift. Participants also could purchase raffle tickets for chance to win a Fabarm LS4 sporting clays shotgun. As before, there was a silent auction of shooting-related gear and a “shell pull” of premium liquors and wine.

This year’s event continued the tradition of having an “Arches” station on both course with a true pair thrown in a pattern similar to McDonald’s Golden Arches. Shooters who bought a ticket for the Arches were entered into a drawing to win a Hi-Point carbine in their choice of caliber and finish. For each target broken, another raffle ticket was awarded. Thank you to Hi-Point for donating two carbines.

A new event was added this year, a Make-A-Break. The event was shot over the scenic pond. Shooters who purchased a ticket entered a raffle for a Mossberg International Gold Reserve over/under 20-gauge sporting clays model. As with the Arches station, extra tickets were given for each target broken.

This year’s added treat was having a “real” auctioneer, Corey Miley, conduct the live auction portion of the lunch program. Bidders had a chance at winning the bid for a Browning Citori CXS sporting clays model (generously donated by Lou Visco). Other live auction firearms included a limited edition 25th anniversary Kid’s & Clays Henry lever-action rifle, a Smith and Wesson M & P (donated by L.E.P.D. Firearms in Columbus) and a Savage 555 20-gauge over/under shotgun.

Iron Pony graciously donated a Honda Metropolitan scooter for the live auction. A special item added to the auction was a custom-engraved bottle of Angels Envy bourbon commemorating the 2025 event. Lunch was donated by City BBQ.

After the last clay target was broken, $220,000.00 was netted for the Columbus House. Committee co-chairs Charles Wharton, Mark Allard and Co-Chair Emeritus Dr. Phil Taylor all expressed their pleasure with the outcome and the venue.

The entire Sporting Clays committee would like to thank our named sponsor Everhart Advisors. We also want to thank our other sponsors Kokosing Construction, Hugh White Honda, Gilbane, Huntington Bank, ASI Commercial Roofing & Maintenance, GEOTEX Construction Services Inc., Continental Building Co., Englefield Oil Company/Duchess, Casto, Iron Pony, McDonald’s of Central Ohio, Coca Cola Consolidated, WesBanco, Dynalab, AON and Martin Brower.

Additional sponsors included RHF Enterprises Inc., Hamilton Parker, Meyers & Associates Architects, Mark-L Inc., Harper Operating Company, John and Kathy Warner, Bell Tree Productions and City BBQ.

A huge thank you to Kid’s and Clays for the firearms that were donated by Ruger, Henry Repeating Arms, Savage and Mossberg along with the shells, shooter’s gift and silent auction items.

The committee also thanks Power Equipment Solutions for donating all the carts used at the event as well as All Seal Coating for lining the grass parking lot. It made it much easier for the participants upon arriving.

Make plans to attend next year’s event, scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2026, at Eagle’s Nest Sporting Grounds. For additional info, contact Jacob Welter at the Ronald McDonald House at jacob.welter@rmhc-centralohio.org.