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Club History |
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In 1930, only four years after the American Game of Skeet was introduced, Pacific Rod and Gun Club added a skeet field at its Napa facility. In addition, at the same time, the Bay Sportsmen Club merged wtih Pacific Club and their skeet field at Fort Funston, in San Francisco, was added to Club territory. One individual who was very instrumental in the merging of both clubs was Jules P. Cuenin, the rod and gun columnist for the San Francisco Examiner. Cuenin, who was the organizer of the Club at Fort Funston, was to become a very important figure in Northern California Skeet Shooting history. 
In late 1930, the Pacific Club hosted its first of many charity shoots. Groups like the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), the Shriners, Needy Families, and Ducks Unlimited were among the many charities that received money from functions at the Club. By 1933, skeet shooting was becoming so popular that it was necessary to find a new shooting facility to handle the demand. The present groups at Lake Merced were chosen as the new site by the late Don Westwater and Walter Campbell. Some opposition was felt by golfers and horseback riders, but with the help of San Francisco Mayor Angelo Rossi, the obstacles were overcome and two skeet fields were constructed and dedication ceremonies were held in June of 1934. Between 1934 and 1936, some of Skeet's top gunners got their start at the Pacific Club. In the meantime, major skeet shoots like the California State and Nor-Cal Championships were held at the Club. The only drawback at this time, was that there was no Clubhouse for the shooters to relax in. This situation was rectified in 1937 when a clubhouse was built. 
In late 1937, catastrophe struck when Lake Merced rose several feet, flooding the fields. Members of the Club went to work and the Club was moved to higher ground. By March 1939 the work had been completed and the Club now boasted eight skeet fields plus a small bore rifle range. The Pacific Club achieved major league status in 1939 when it hosted the National Skeet Shooting Championships. With the beginning of the war, shooting was curtailed and the Club installed horsehoe pits which were used quite extensively until shooting was able to resume. In 1949, trap facilities were built which allowed another game to be added to the list of the Club's activities.
Today the Club boasts over 350 members. The Club offers many special events for its own members including N.S.S.A., Skeet Shoots, P.I.T.A., A.T.A. Trap Shots, and International Skeet Competitions. Facilities at the Club include Skeet Fields, Trap Fields, and a small bore rifle range. Of all the gun clubs, the Pacific Rod and Gun Club is one of the most beautiful clubs around. If you are ever in the area, please take the opportunity to visit our Club. You will not regret it. 
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