I thought I might share my experiences with the Kentucky State match with those of you who were unfortunate enough not to be able to attend. First, I think the one word  that would accurately describe the match is challenging. Lots and lots of no shoots, head shots and targets at a distance made the match very accuracy friendly--it did take me a while to figure this out :). I dropped 31 points on the first 5 stages I shot, plus a failure to neutralize. On the last 9 stages I dropped only 6 points. I also managed to avoid the many no-shoots, hit all the head shots and earned only one procedural for shooting tactical order when I should have been shooting tactical sequence, have I ever mentioned that I hate tactical sequence? :) The many head shots aside, the overall course design was excellent. 14 scenario-based stages that tested all of the shooter's skills. There was much use of moving and reactive targets as well as plenty of props to add a great sense of realism. I will highlight a few stages that I especially enjoyed.

Stages 8, 9 & 10. Three stages ran together that had you shooting over, through and around a car. Stage 8 had you start several yards from the front of the vehicle. You engaged the first target from retention and then moved to cover at the front of the car and engaged three more targets. You then tac-loaded and moved into the car where you started Stage 9 with your gun in the glove compartment. On the signal you retrieved the gun and engaged two targets through the passenger-side window. You then exited the car, tac loaded again, and then moved to the passenger side rear tire as if inspecting a flat tire. On the signal to start stage 10, you turned and engaged several close targets while retreating to cover at the other side of the car. From here you engaged any targets (from cover) that you did not shoot while moving.

Stage 11. A house clearing with a twist. On the signal to start, you entered a garage were you have seen the BG's dragging your kids. It was fairly dark and on entering the 'garage' scary sound effects began to play along with the sound of BG's screaming "Die! Die!" at you. The garage was full of all sorts of junk that simulated the environment very well. As you entered you were charged by a machete armed bad guy that you had to shoot until he dropped. The tactical lesson that I hoped most shooters gleaned from this stage was 'don't go into a dark room wearing sunglasses'! I shoot with rose colored glasses that cut down on glare without darkening my vision. Many shooters commented on how they could hardly see anything in the garage. I could see just fine and I believe this helped me shoot the best time for the match on this stage.

Stage 4. A simple, straight forward stage that had you shooting two targets wile retreating to the cover of a mailbox and then engaging two more targets from cover, including a dreaded 20 or so yard head shot. I like theses short, quick stages a lot. To me they define exactly what IDPA course design should be about. Of course there was the opportunity to meet new people, see old friends and put faces on a few more internet names. The Clark brothers who were working the KC3 (Kentucky Coalition to Carry Concealed) booth were great guys, the Ohio bunch I first met at our Low Light Challenge, the crew from NC, Myrin from Alabama, and David Hartman from Texas.

All in all I think Charles and Lin did an excellent job for their first State match. Tone the head shots down and next year will be even better. See ya there.

Tim Bacus

PS: I also forgot to mention the absolutely beautiful facility. The first thing you see as you enter the range is a fabulous stone club house on top of a hill. Wow!