Conoco 3rd Annual Sporting Clays Tournament `Aims' to Win for Special Olympics Texas.

Sports Editors/News Desk

HOUSTON--(BW SportsWire)--Feb. 28, 2002

Conoco is "setting its sights" on having 600 marksmen at the third annual Conoco Sporting Clays Tournament on March 23. The Lewis Class 50-target tournament will have two flights of competition, 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., at American Shooting Centers, 16500 Westheimer Parkway in Houston.

"Our goal is to raise $100,000 for Special Olympics Texas, doubling our proceeds over last year," said Rob McKee, Conoco executive vice president, exploration and production, and tournament executive director.

The 2002 tournament already has attracted 300 participants and $60,000 in sponsorships. Registration costs $100 per individual and $500 per team. All registration fees will be donated to Special Olympics Texas.

Bobby Fowler, Jr., national shooting champion, will be one of the certified instructors at the March 22 training session. The session is open to all registered shooters from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., for a fee of $20 per participant.

The sport of clay shooting originated in the United Kingdom more than 60 years ago, where it was developed for honing wing shooting skills. Sometimes called "golf with a shotgun," clay shooting was introduced to the United States in the early 1980s.

Contrasted with trap or skeet shooting, the challenge for clay shooters increases as target angles and speed are varied from station to station. It's the fastest growing of all shotgun sports, and can be enjoyed by both novice and experienced marksmen.

Some two million athletes participate year-round in Special Olympics in over 160 countries worldwide. In Texas, more than 27,000 athletes are members of the program -- 4,200 from the Greater Houston area.

Tournament proceeds will help reach out to many more of the estimated 12,000 individuals with mental retardation in our community.

"Every citizen is entitled to the opportunity for a good quality of life and to be productive," said McKee. "Special Olympics is a cutting-edge organization with a mission to help athletes enhance their self esteem, live independent lives, strengthen families, and facilitate social competence through sports training and leadership programs. We are rallying our community to support these critical goals," said McKee.

Tournament participants will enjoy a sports silent auction, shooting games, door prizes, two award ceremonies emceed by Fox 26 and 104 KRBE personalities, respectively, complimentary cap and T-shirt, live disc jockey, refreshments, and a barbecue lunch prepared by Rodeo cook-off champs, "Xtreme Texas Cookers."

Marksmen with a perfect score may have an opportunity to win sport-utility vehicles.

To register online or to obtain additional details, visit the tournament Web site at www.sotxsportingclays.conoco.com, or call our hotline at 281/293-4499.

Fox 26, UPN 20, and 104 KRBE are gracious media partners of the Conoco Sporting Clays Tournament. The tournament is sponsored by Schlumberger, Weatherford, Elite Shooting School, Halliburton, M-I, Pride International, Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P., Tesco, Varco, Xtreme Texas Cookers, American Shooting Centers, Environmental Rig Solutions, Halliburton KBR, Marathon, National Oilwell, Parker Drilling Co., RDM Enterprises, Sodexho, Tidewater Marine and Wood Group.

Conoco (NYSE:COC) is a major, integrated energy company active in more than 40 countries.