The June 16th, 1951 issue of the American Field contained the following announcement written by Mary M. Phillips, secretary of the AFTCA:
National Amateur Shooting Dog Championship to be Sponsored by AFTCA
At a special meeting of the trustees of the Amateur Field Trial Clubs of America held in the Netherlands Plaza Hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio on Saturday, May 19, it was voted to initiate a National Amateur Shooting Dog Championship under the auspices of the Amateur Field Trial Clubs of America. The news will be hailed with enthusiasm by bird dog owners throughout the land. The stake, as the name implies, will empower bestowal of the title of “National Amateur Shooting Dog Champion”.
The demand for such a feature and urgings that the Amateur Association assume sponsorship of this type of stake prompted Raymond Hoagland of Cartersville, Georgia, AFTCA president, to call the special meeting of the directors, and the vote was unanimous that the Association proceed with the details for the establishment and management of the National Amateur Shooting Dog Championship.