By Chandra L. McLean
South Carolina Bureau
Article dated Dec. 1, 1995

WINDSOR - The owner of the South Carolina Outdoor Shooting Center has completed the facility's trap bunker, barely beating the arrival of one of the world's top Olympic shooting teams.

The manager and two members of the British Olympic trap shooting team, ranked second in the world, arrived in Windsor on Wednesday night. They will practice at the shooting center all day Saturday, visit Charleston on Sunday and return to England on Monday.

Rich Sherman, the center's owner, said the bunker's completion late Wednesday, coupled with the team's arrival, has topped his list of goals for the shooting center. The bunker, which cost about $100,000 to complete, is one of about 26 in the United States.

``By them being out here training on our Olympic bunker means we've met our goal to provide an Olympic-quality shooting range to the international community in their preparation for the Olympic Games,'' Mr. Sherman said.

``Now we're hoping for the influx of tourism from these individual countries along with all others to watch them train and shoot on the fields.''

Roger Peace, the team's manager, said he chose Windsor to train because of the availability of the center's trap bunker, adding that the flight to the United States is only nine hours.

``There's limited availability for a bunker,'' Mr. Peace said. ``Fort Benning has a place, but it's not open to the public. This is my third visit here, and each time it gets better.''

Claire Watts, a double trap shooter on the team, said she was pleased with the sunlight and temperatures.

``In England, the light is bad,'' she said, ``and with the wind and (lack of) light we can't compete.'' Kevin Gill, another double trap shooter, said the center reminds him of home.

``I feel like I've been going to this club a few years,'' he said. ``When I go to my local club I feel at ease there. It feels the same here.''

Mr. Peace said the team will return to train in April for six days and again in July before the Olympics.

Previous commitments kept a number of shooters from coming on this trip, Mr. Peace said. Mr. Sherman said the center is open to the public while the British team trains.