Conference Events (Use the same information as in the last issue on Meet & Greet, Keynote Speaker
and Spouse/Guest Program.)
TOUR OF DIAMOND BEAR BREWERY:
Diamond Bear is Little Rock's first production brewing company in more than 15 years. It was started in
September of 2000. Russ Melton, one of the founders of Diamond Bear, served in the military in
Germany for four years where he learned a lot about beer. Diamond Bear uses some of those European
brewing methods, and all beers are brewed in accordance with the German Beer Purity Law of 1516.
The German Beer Purity Law of 1516 states beers only contain only barley, hops, water, and yeast. They
use no chemicals or additives in any brew. One of the things that makes Diamond Bear Beer great is the
consistent and outstanding water quality from Lake Winona and delivered via Central Arkansas
Water. Diamond Bear produces several types of beer and has won seven (7) national and international
awards to date. Diamond Bear also produces “Big Rock Root Beer” for root beer lovers and those who
choose not to drink alcoholic beverages.
The tour shows you how the brewery makes their different products, starting from the grain. They also
teach you the differences between the beer made at the Diamond Bear and where the processes
vary. During the tour samples of our award winning beers are available to visitors over the age of 21,
and root beer is available for those under 21 or who do not wish to partake.
This tour is being sponsored by the Young Professional’s Committee and space is limited so reserve your
tour today by registering for this year’s Southwest Section Annual Conference & Exposition ASAP!
VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP TRAINING:
The Southwest Section of AWWA (or any organization for that matter) is only as strong as its
membership and volunteer leaders. We are fortunate to have an excellent membership full of
knowledgeable water industry professionals! In order to promote additional volunteer leadership
development within the Southwest Section, we will be holding a short training session Sunday afternoon
just before the Meet & Greet. This training will include a brief history of the Southwest Section,
organizational structure, officer and committee responsibilities, as well as great leadership tips that you
can apply anywhere. We encourage all those interested in learning more about the section to attend;
especially, existing and incoming officers, committee chairs and committee members.
GOLFING UPDATE:
Due to restrictions of local golf courses on weekend tournaments, there will be no Golf Tournament this
year. Instead, we will arrange tee times for those attending who wish to play a round. It will be the
player’s obligation to pay green fees and any others costs. If you are interested, check the box marked
“Schedule a tee time for golf” on your registration form and our local host team will contact you with
details.
SPORTING CLAYS TOURNAMENT INFO:
To replace the golf tournament, we will be inaugurating what we hope to be the first of many Sporting
Clays Tournaments. The cost will be $50 per person and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the
Southwest Section Scholarship Fund.
• Suitable for experienced and inexperienced shooters.
• Bring your own equipment or we will provide a shotgun.
• Shells provided with each registration.
• Eye and ear protection provided at no cost.
• Mulligans or “do-overs” available per person for $5 each and can be purchased on-site.
• Lunch and drinks provided.
• Event will proceed “showers or shine”.
The Inaugural Southwest Section Sporting Clays Tournament will be held at
the Blue Rock Sportsman’s Club on the banks of the Arkansas River in North
Little Rock. The Blue Rock Sportsman’s Club was established in 1972 and is
one of the finest privately owned shotgun only facilities in the Mid-South
area. Just minutes away from Downtown Little Rock, the Club consists of 7
Skeet and 3 Trap Fields plus a 5-Stand Field and a 10 station 100 bird walk
through Sporting Clays Course.
What is Sporting Clays?
Sporting clays is “golf with a shotgun.” It is a form of clay pigeon shooting that involves shooting clay
targets at multiple locations (stations). Sporting clays targets are thrown in a great variety of
trajectories, elevations, and distances. Targets can come through the trees, over your head, left to right,
right to left, in any path a real bird might choose. The stations are designed to be unpredictable and
challenging for the shooter. Each station has two clay-throwing machines. Targets are thrown in pairs.
The number of clay pairs will vary from station to station. The types of pairs will also vary by station.
Some stations will be “report pairs” (the second target is launched on the report of the shooter’s gun)
and others will be “true pairs” (the two targets are thrown simultaneously). Scoring is simple, with
individual scoring based on the total number of shots. For every target you break, the scorer will mark
an X in the blank provided; if you miss, you mark an O. The number and type of pairs will vary by station.
The high score is determined by the total sum of targets hit.
Additionally we are honored to have Garver as a Sponsor of the Sporting Clays
Tournament held in conjunction with the 101st Southwest Section Annual
Conference & Exposition. This year’s Southwest Section Sporting Clays Event will
be filled with food, fun, and good old-fashioned competition so we hope you will
give it a ‘shot’!! Be on the lookout for the final brochure as details are finalized
for this event.
INSERT SOME CLAY PIGEON ART