It all started in 2013 at a fundraiser shoot, he was so excited to be with his father at Leigh Valley Sporting Clays. They competed in shooting that day for the purpose of raising money for those with cancer; this was his first exposure to the sporting clays world. He had always been around guns and bird hunting throughout his whole life but this was the first of many sporting clays events to come. They continued shooting that fundraiser until 2015. He loved competition and was driven to see how many clay targets he could hit. Shooting for competition lit a spark inside him that turned to the purest of fire that no one could take away. He was so glad this fundraiser started his journey into the sporting clays world. This shooter is none other than Blaize Whitehead. Don’t forget the name because you are very likely to see it at the top of many leader boards.
His father has been a major influence into his sporting
clays journey. He supports him in the decisions he makes into how to best shoot
this game and handle the stressors of competition. In 2014, at his first National
Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) registered tournament in PA, he meet and shot
with Shawn Kemeter. Little did he know at the time, that this would be the birth
on one of his greatest friends. At this time, Shawn had a drive for the sport
that was very similar to Blaize’s. They hit it off and to this day, they are
still friends that travel the country shooting and competing at major shooting
events together.
Photo Credit: Blaize Whitehead
Photo Credit: Blaize Whitehead
“I would like to thank my parents for without them I would not be in the position I am at today, I’m working to make 2024 my best shooting year yet!”
-Blaize Whitehead
Blaize Whitehead additionally credits one of the greatest in this sport for his successes, Anthony I. Matarese Jr. who has been his shooting coach for over five years. He has helped him through his shooting journey more than anyone. He credits Anthony Matarese as the reason why he’s shooting at the level he does today. He taught him his style of shooting and has helped him through many challenges of competing in this sport. He was a huge influence on his shooting career and couldn’t be more thankful of the time, commitment, and expertise Anthony shared with him about this sport.
In Blaize’s senior year of high school, COVID impacted the
nation. Not sure what to do for a career, he decided not to go to college. Although
accepted into several schools, he chose to take the year off. He approached his
father to see if he could follow him in the construction field which would give
him time to see where his passion for sporting clays would go. To this day, he
still working for his Dad which enables him to compete in the largest
tournaments across the country on a regular basis. He appreciates all that his
father has done to mentor him in the Electrical Trade. Accepting the world and
the opportunities provided to him, he is still thankful as without COVID, he
may not have had this opportunity to pursue his dreams.
Photo Credit: Blaize Whitehead
Photo Credit: Blaize Whitehead
Blaize Whitehead currently shoots a Beretta DT-11. This
DT-11 came to him as a surprise when he won it at the first ever Jack Link’s Cup
hosted at Quail Creek Sporting Ranch, Florida. For eyewear, he chooses the Pilla
x7 frames paired with three different lenses. One of the lenses is a dark
purple lenses which he uses in bright light conditions, second he uses a clear lens
with a tint of green which is great for shooting at night, and lastly he uses
an orange lens for use on cloudy days. His favorite go to shell is the
Winchester AA 1oz 1290fps #7.5 shot. For ear protection, he uses Electronic Shooters
Protection Elite Digital Ear Plugs that he was lucky to win at the 2024 Gator Cup
hosted at Backwoods Quail Club, SC. For chokes, his choice is a pair of extreme
twenty chokes which him emphasizes patterns great paired with his Beretta DT-11.
In 2022, Blaize became part of Team BAREPELT and he proudly sports their custom
vest.
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Blaize Whitehead’s Accomplishments
PA State 5 stand HOA 2022,2023
PA State FITASC HOA 2022,2023
NY State FITASC HOA 2023
Western Regional 5 stand HOA 2023
Ohio State Main Event RU 2022
High Volume shooter 2022. 2023
Thanksgiving shoot M&M FITASC HOA 2023
Winter Blast M&M Main Event HOA 2023
Delaware River Classic M&M FITASC HOA 2022, 2023
Seafood Blast M&M FITASC Prelim HOA 2023
Seafood Blast M&M FITASC Main Tied HOA 2023
Team Memberships Earned
All American Team FITASC
2023 Junior Team
2024 Open Team
All American Team Sporting
2021 Junior Team
2022 Junior Team
2023 Open Team
2024 Open Team
Photo Credit: Blaize Whitehead
Photo Credit: Blaize Whitehead
Photo Credit: Blaize Whitehead
Chamberlain and Diaz Real Estate Team is one of his sponsors that he is thankful to have. Additionally, he would like to give a huge shout out to BAREPELT vests for sponsoring him since 2022 and making sure he shoots in a top-of-the-line vest out on the course. Blaize is also sponsored by Taconic Distillery as of 2023, who always makes sure he has bourbon on hand to make connections and celebrate life with friends.
New this year, Blaize has recently received a sponsorship
through Promatic Traps and Kids & Clays. “They provide me with the finest
equipment to practice with for the upcoming shoots to make sure I am at the top
of my game.”
