McHenry Sportsman’s Club Newsletter (April 28, 2006)
Dear Members and Families:
The following information must be known immediately by all members and guests of the McHenry Sportsmen’s Club:
The McHenry Sportsmen's Club has been in existence for over 60 years.
The club was founded by Louis Pitzen, which has operated as a Trap Shooter's club up until this day.
Louis purchased the land with the intent of operating a trap club.
Unfortunately, Louis is no longer with us.
Louis passed away some time ago.
He is survived by his wife and children.
I personally have never met Louis,
but from what I have learned from our members,
Louis was a Trap Shooter and a great guy to know.
We still have shoots named in his honor.
That land Louis purchased is the Club;s current home grounds.
The property is still owned by his family and our club continues to exist,
and is operated by the club'ss board of directors.
The property is now "leased" to the club by the Pitzen family.
Incidentally, most sportsmen's clubs lease some or all of their property.
The family has recently made a decision to sell the Club's Home Grounds for personal reasons.
There will be an effort to market the property using the usual real estate selling approach which includes signage posted on the property,
onsite property showings and advertising.
In the meantime, the club will remain open and will operate as it always has.
It may take some time to sell the property and we are paid up until the end of the year.
There is only one, (possibly two) "buildable" lots on the property.
It is going to take a "special buyer" to purchase the property.
The outcome may be one of the following:
The property does not sell, in which case, we will try to help the family the best we can.
The property is purchased from the family by our club and we continue to operate.
The property is purchased by the club and we end up being shut down due to ownership transfer.
This is why we have not attempted to purchase the property in the past.
The property is purchased by an outside party, which case the results are unpredictable.
In the meantime, we still have a club.
It may be around for some time or it may be gone:
Use it while it is still available.
"Man does not know what he has until it is gone"
Please note: In the event that the club ends up closing,
every effort will be made to locate members to cash in any unused shooting coupons and youth cards.
You will not loose anything.
At this point, use the facilities as if this situation was not occurring.
The website: www.mchenry-sc.org
will contain official information in regards to this situation and will be
considered the authority on this the subject.
If it is not found on the website, consider it to be rumor. Check first before drawing false conclusions.
This topic will be discussed at our next regularly scheduled club meeting, which is: Thursday, May 4, 2006.
GOOD SHOOTING TO ALL
Sincerely,
Tom Carneal, Club Treasurer