The Sporting Grand Prix of South Africa in the Sporting discipline (Parcours de chasse) was a high-stakes international clay target shooting tournament held from January 14th to January 15th, 2017. This prestigious selection championship was hosted at the top-tier outdoor ranges of the Wattlespring Sport Shooting Club in Boksburg, South Africa.

Event Highlights & Visual Analysis

Based on the official primary banner design, the tournament combined prominent national sporting authorities with global corporate sponsorship:

Central Visual Logo: Features the distinctive shield emblem of the Wattlespring Sport Shooting Club, which highlights a bold yellow acacia tree profile over green hills on a dark purple shield, accented by a white ribbon scroll.
Sanctioning Architecture: Globally authorized by FITASC (Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse) and hosted in direct cooperation with the CTSASA (Clay Target Shooting Association of South Africa), whose signature teal logo displaying spinning orange clay targets is positioned on the right.
Global Ranking Series: The bottom footer establishes this championship as a vital point-scoring leg for the international Beretta FITASC Cups circuit and the worldwide Gamebore FITASC World Rankings (represented by the three-person podium emblem), alongside technical target-machinery support from Promatic.

1. Event Schedule Overview

The two-day tournament layout was managed according to standard international parameters, spreading a high-volume 200-target championship course over demanding natural field configurations:

January 12th – January 13th (Thursday – Friday): Arrival of international delegations, shooter registrations, equipment inspections, and the opening of official warm-up practice lines on designated layouts.
January 14th (Saturday): Championship Day 1 (100 Targets) | Initial qualification rounds.
January 15th (Sunday): Championship Day 2 (100 Targets) | Final qualification rotations, followed immediately by international tie-breaking shoot-offs, the Grand Prix awards ceremony, and the closing of the event.

2. Venue & Organizer Contact Information

Location Details: Wattlespring Sport Shooting Club 8 Gibson Road, Sunward Park, Boksburg, 1459, South Africa

Championship Communications:

Main Club Phone: +27 (0) 76-256-3971
Email Support: info@wattlespringsclub.co.za

Shooting Ground

Wattlespring Sports Club

Bapsfontein, South Africa

Wattlespring Sports Club is a premier multi-disciplinary shooting destination situated on 400 hectares of the rolling Highveld plains near Pretoria East. Established on the "Onbekend" farm, it has evolved from its historical roots into a functional, autonomous training center and lifestyle retreat that caters to professional athletes, hunters, and families. Its most defining feature is its high-altitude location at over 1,300 meters, which provides a unique ballistic advantage: the reduced air density causes targets to fly faster and further, perfectly simulating the aerodynamic challenges found at major international competitions.

The club features an extensive array of world-class shooting ranges equipped with Promatic and La Porte machinery, managed by the automated Claymate system for precise scoring :

Clay Pigeon: Includes 7 Compak Sporting layouts, 8 ATA/DTL Trap ranges, 4 Olympic/Universal Trench ranges, and specialized stations for FITASC, English Sporting, and Skeet.
Handgun: Offers 7 to 13 dedicated ranges, including two permanently set IPSC stages featuring steel pop-ups and dynamic targets.
Rifle: Features a dedicated 100m range for sighting and practice, along with 17 lanes designed for.22 and air rifles.
Infrastructure: A fully equipped "Pro Shop" provides ammunition, firearms, and specialized outdoor apparel.

Beyond the ranges, Wattlespring offers a comprehensive "Shoot & Stay" experience designed for multi-day events. Guests can stay in one of the 20 luxury chalets (ranging from 2-sleeper to 4-sleeper units) or enjoy catch-and-release fishing at the exclusive bass dam. A family-friendly restaurant and a large Events Hall, capable of seating up to 150 guests, make the club a popular hub for weddings, corporate conferences, and team-building retreats.

Training is a core pillar of the club, led by certified experts such as Sam Tshishonga, an ISSF Shotgun D and CTSASA coach. Educational programs are available for all skill levels, from basic firearm handling and "gun fit" sessions for beginners to advanced sports psychology and technical analysis for professional shooters. The club is also an authorized provider for South African Firearm Competency training, covering legal and practical standards for pistols, rifles, and shotguns.

Wattlespring is a major fixture on the competitive circuit, regularly hosting international qualifiers and national championships such as the Grand Prix of South Africa and the SA Presidents Cup. For more casual competitive thrills, the club organizes periodic "Night Shoots" where up to 60 competitors shoot at floodlit flying targets from 18:00 to 23:00. These events, combined with live entertainment and recreational facilities, reinforce the club's "lifestyle shooting" philosophy.

In summary, Wattlespring represents a high-tech fusion of sport and nature, ideal for professional squads seeking elite ballistic conditions and families looking for an active outdoor escape. With planned expansions into tennis courts, swimming pools, and whiskey lounges, it continues to set the standard for shooting excellence in South Africa.

2FWP+55, 398 JR Onbekend Bapsfontein, Bronkhorstspruit, 1001, South Africa

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Website

wattlespring.co.za

Grand Prix of South Africa - Sporting - South Africa (January 2017)

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Event Highlights & Visual Analysis

1. Event Schedule Overview

2. Venue & Organizer Contact Information

Wattlespring Sports Club

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