R Michael Reed

R. Michael Reed's Induction into Georgia's Hall of Fame

Saturday, September 9, 2017

If you have known Mike Reed for any length of time, you know any effort he undertakes is given 100%. Some past hobbies that exemplify this are his days motorcross racing, sailboat racing, pistol league shooting, hunting and trapshooting. Note that all of these are competitive sports. Mike gives 100% in his work life also, but I'm here to discuss his passion for trapshooting.

Mike's first year shooting registered ATA targets (only 100 targets that year) was in 1985. In 1986 he shot 400 targets. It was in this second year of shooting that the Reeds - Mike, Ralph and Betsy - went to Tom Lowe to shoot practice targets. Upon arrival they learned the club was closed for Georgia's State Trapshooting Championships. Mike was the only one brave enough to sign up. He entered the Handicap event and was put on the penalty 23. His score was 94. Mike did not know until many years later that 94 was the high Handicap score that year.

Mike did not shoot registered targets again for 12 years. When he classified to shoot in 1998, he was put on the 24-yard line. Mike has shot every year since 1998. Mike earned his way to the 27-yard line in 2004 and has never moved forward.

During those 22 years, Mike has been on the State Team 12 times, an accomplishment for which he is quite proud. He has never declared category (Sub Veteran/Veteran).

Mike was elected Treasurer of the GATA at the State Shoot in 2002. Over those 15 years, he served under Presidents Royce Cofer, Boone Butler, and David Hollingsworth. As Treasurer, Mike kept up with all of the financial responsibilities — depositing daily fees, ad monies, writing checks, preparing necessary documents for our taxes each year, preparing annual

Income/Expense and Net Worth reports, and working late into the evening every year after the State Shoot to pay South River Gun Club for targets thrown, Club rental, etc. In Mike's spare time at our State Shoots, he runs scoresheets to the pullers, herds the kids from field to field, and generally makes sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. Mike was elected President of the GATA earlier this year. I know he'll give it 100%.

Before today I would have guessed that Mike's proudest moments have been shooting 100's at the Grand American in Singles, followed by 100's in shootoffs at the Grand, followed by 100's at the Grand in the Champion of Champions — all in the same year. Today I'd say his proudest moment is being recognized today by his peers as he enters Georgia's Hall of Fame.