If you think the $100,000 put up this year by Bill and LeeAnn Martin of Utah for the Grand American Challenge is a lot of money, wait until next year’s Grand American in Sparta.
Monday night, the Martins confirmed that they will again provide the $100,000 prize money for the winner-take-all Grand American Challenge, but they will also put up an additional $200,000 for another event that will provide money payouts for several shooters based on scores.
Martins have been members of the Amateur Trapshooting Association since 1996 and love the sport.
“We are doing this for the shooting complex and to draw a bigger crowd to the Grand,” said Bill Martin.
He said the $200,000 will be provided so as to give all shooters at the Grand a chance to win some money.
And a total of $300,000 for next year’s Grand is a lot of money. Martin was formerly in the oil and gas business.
“Then I sold my companies and retired,” he said.
The Grand American Challenge will be held Saturday, August 14 immediately following the Grand American Handicap. The nine various handicap event winners plus one handicap participant whose name will be drawn at large, will take part in the challenge for the $100,000.
It will be a 25 target event with ties decided by an additional 25 targets. Target shoot-offs will be held until one winner is determined.