Breaking Clays, Building Momentum: The 2025 Lieske Signature Series Opens Strong

A Vision Comes to Life

It wasn’t just another spring weekend at Island Lake Shooting Range—it was the beginning of something bold, something fresh. On April 26–27, 2025, Michigan Shooting Centers launched the first event of the Lieske Signature Series, presented by Caesar Guerini, and it was clear from the first shot that this wasn’t your average sporting clays tournament.

With a vision to reimagine competitive clay shooting, the series set out to strike a balance that few have achieved—inviting enough for newcomers yet still thrilling for seasoned tournament shooters. Through thoughtful design, pre-event resources, and on-site ambassadors, the event bridged the gap between casual enjoyment and serious competition.

And it worked.

From Check-In to Celebration

Before a single target was thrown, the excitement was palpable. As shooters checked in, 108 of them walked away with a door prize—everything from Fiocchi 12-gauge ammunition to shell pouches, gun slips, and branded hats. Those who registered early were greeted with a performance t-shirt proudly displaying the Caesar Guerini Open logo and a goodie bag filled with sponsor swag, an Elite-80 stress ball, and even a branded first aid kit. It was the kind of hospitality and polish that you’d expect at a national championship, not a regional event.

Two Courses, Two Experiences

But it was the course format that truly stole the show.

Two 80-target courses—one dubbed the “Easy-80” and the other the “Elite-80”—offered shooters two very different experiences. The Easy-80 wasn’t just easy; it was fun. Ten themed stations transformed the course into an immersive experience. “Orange Crush” exploded with a flash target and free cans of Crush soda. A disco-drenched ‘80s station blasted retro tunes while lime green and neon pink clays danced through the air. And the “Duck Crossing” station? It could’ve passed for a movie set, complete with decoys, camo blinds, and duck calls echoing across the field.

The Elite-80, meanwhile, offered a technical challenge for shooters ready to test their mettle. A blend of tricky presentations, elevated towers, and clever course design kept even the best competitors on their toes. As Dan Williams put it:

“I really enjoyed the ‘big shoot’ feel. The Easy-80 wasn’t designed to punish less experienced shooters, but it still challenged the top shooters. The Elite-80? It was technical, it demanded focus, and the wind on Saturday made it even more fun. Great job to everyone involved.”

A First-Timer’s Dream

That kind of playful creativity struck a chord with both veterans and first-timers. One spectator, James Nurkka, couldn’t help but share his thoughts:

“I just wanted to say how awesome the Lieske Signature Series was! My son is still new to NSCA—only about 10 shoots under his belt—but after this one, he looked at me and said, ‘Dad, this is how shooting tournaments should be.’ He loved the Easy-80 and said the Elite-80 was the toughest course he’s shot yet—but also the most fair. He shot his average, the prizes were amazing, the shirt was awesome, and lunch? Wonderful. As someone who just came to watch him shoot, I give it a 20 out of 10!”

A Field Full of Fresh Faces

In total, 260 shooters took part—an incredible turnout that included more than 80 first-time tournament competitors. That’s not just impressive. That’s a statement. With 117 shooters in C Class and 46 in D Class, this event lived up to its mission of growing the sport.

Tom Alderson, a longtime shooter coaxed out of retirement for the event, put it best:
“The tournament was awesome. You could tell a lot of thought went into the station props and the target presentations.”

Catering with Class

And speaking of thoughtful touches—lunch was included both days and did not disappoint. Saturday brought hearty burrito bowls from Qdoba, while Sunday’s feast came courtesy of Saroki’s Crispy Chicken, serving up golden fried tenders, hot honey rolls, mac and cheese, and crispy potato fritters. When Michigan weather made outdoor dining a challenge, organizers simply brought the whole setup indoors. Problem solved.

Side Games, Big Smiles

Beyond the main event, a series of side games kept the action going. The Jackrabbit Jubilee was a riot of bouncing clays and belly laughs, as squads tried to tag 25 unpredictable rabbits on one field—powered by five separate machines. The Pool Shoot added a bit of Vegas-style fun to the weekend, offering payouts for high scores and plenty of friendly banter.

Also on-site was the Orion Outdoors Company trailer, stocked with new firearms and demo models from top makers like Caesar Guerini, Fabarm, Syren, and Kemen. Sales team member Ryan Bruder welcomed shooters to browse, talk shop, and redeem their “Golden Tickets”—awarded to those who straighted the Golden Ticket station—for a shot at some stellar prizes.

Top Guns Take the Podium

The top honors went to Jordan Hintz of Hillsdale, Michigan, who shot an impressive 151 out of 160 to win the combined Main Event and a $750 payout. Class winners each took home two cases of Fiocchi ammo, while second and third place shooters earned additional cases and future event vouchers.

The winner’s list was a who’s who of the area’s best:

• Master Class: Rod Drouse (1st), Amber Brown (2nd), Matt Houtteman (3rd)
• AA Class: Steve Nemeth (1st), Alvin Raber (2nd), Michael Bushard (3rd)
• A Class: Davis Hay (1st), Leif Andersen (2nd), Sandy Figliomeni (3rd)
• B Class: Kyle Fleck (1st), Matthew Vianello Jr. (2nd), Thomas Harkness (3rd)
• C Class: Kameran Duvall (1st), Ron Bell (2nd), Dalton Thrower (3rd)
• D Class: Easton Pope (1st), Drake Duvall (2nd), Randy Beaudet (3rd)

Special drawings brought even more excitement. Randy Beaudet won the Golden Ticket grand prize—a FNH USA 509M 9mm pistol. Abe Koumaiha claimed a $500 Michigan Shooting Centers gift card from the Jackrabbit Jubilee drawing. And Kameran Duvall walked away with a Fabarm L4S Hunter shotgun, valued at $1,675, through the top-score class drawing.

Next Stop: The Fabarm Classic

The series continues May 31–June 1 with the Fabarm Classic at Bald Mountain Shooting Range in Lake Orion. Early registrants will again receive event t-shirts, door prize eligibility, and catered lunch. The first 50 first-time NSCA shooters will receive four free boxes of 12-gauge shells—and membership to the NSCA will be free at the time of registration.

Organizers promise a few new twists and themes to keep things exciting. As the Lieske family shared: “We’ve got a few new themes planned to keep you on your toes.”

Register by May 17 to score your event t-shirt, lunch, and a shot at the prize table.

A Sporting Future, Reimagined

Special thanks go out to Caesar Guerini for their title sponsorship, to Fiocchi for their support as the official ammunition sponsor, and to White Flyer for providing the clay targets that brought the competition to life.

If the opening weekend was any indication, the Lieske Signature Series is more than a tournament series—it’s a movement, a celebration, and a fresh new chapter in the future of sporting clays.