It was spring in Texas, and anything can happen, especially related to weather. How many times has bad weather been predicted prior to a shoot and then the weather was not a factor at all? Not so for the Penny Penwell Memorial Shoot on April 12-14, hosted by Grand Prairie Gun Club. The Doubles Event started and ended on Friday as normal for any three-day shoot in Texas – but that would not be the case for the rest of the shoot.
On Friday, Doubles were dominated by Grand Prairie members. Forty-two shooters participated in the event, with Grand Prairie shooters ending up at the top of the leader board. Jason Foshea was Champion, Will Chisum, runner-up, and Adam Roberts, third, shooting 99, 98 and 97 with no shoot-offs.
The 12-gauge event began bright (well, not so bright) and early on Saturday morning. Several days prior to the shoot, rain and thunderstorms were predicted for Saturday. Many were hopeful the weather prediction was wrong, but those hopes quickly dissipated as 40 shooters showed up to do their best in spite of the rain and thunderstorms. The 9:00 a.m. squad was delayed in starting, and shooting stopped twice during that rotation for lightning in the area. As the morning continued, it was evident it would take all day with the delays that continued to plague the 12-gauge event. Richard Funk, Adam Roberts and Cody Sergeant captured Champion, runner-up and third, respectively.
You are probably wondering what happened for the 20-gauge event, since the 12-gauge took so long to complete. Shoot chairman Randy Walhood wisely made the call to cancel the 20-gauge after the 12-gauge event was completed about 3:00 pm. No complaining from shooters on this decision!
What a difference a day makes! On Sunday, the weather had cleared up and sunny skies were once again the norm. Volunteers from the Grand Prairie Gun Club worked to clear the stations of water and mud. They swept the water away to dry off those shooting pads – that is just a small picture of how dedicated the Grand Prairie members are to hosting a great shoot. Fifty-one shooters showed up for the 28-gauge event. Donny Penwell was crowned Champ after winning the shoot-off of the 99s with three other shooters. Donny is the son of longtime Grand Prairie member Penny Penwell, for whom the shoot is named. Richard Funk and Troy Behrens ended with runner-up and third, respectively, for the 28-gauge.
Fifty shooters stuck around to complete the .410-bore event. Jason Foshea once again dominated the field with the lone 100. Bradley Pang captured the runner-up position with a 98 and was also the Junior Champ. Cody Sergeant captured third with a shoot-off of 97s.
Thirty-eight shooters competed in the HOA championship. It is no surprise that Jason Foshea once again reigned supreme as the Champ with a 295. Cody Sergeant and Richard Funk were in a shoot-off once again with 293s, with Cody ending up as runner-up and Richard at third.
The Grand Prairie Gun Club is known for holding great shoots with great food and targets. What may not be known, though, is that it is a volunteer club. Meals are organized, cooked and served by members. The skeet fields are maintained by members, and they are dedicated to ensuring fields are in tip-top condition for shooters. They were there in the rain, walking the fields, loading the houses, removing trash, and all of the things that are required for a shoot. A big thanks to all of the Grand Prairie members who volunteered to make this such a successful shoot and one that will not be forgotten. And a big thanks to the Texas referees for their professionalism in giving their best to every shooter. Sponsors are a necessity now for our great skeet shoots – Mike Gerschick with 3on8, Mica Crane, Jeff Nekuza, and Classic Chevrolet – thank you! And last, but certainly not least, Grand Prairie Gun Club would not be what it is without its leadership – Richard Kummer as president, Jeff Zwiebel as secretary, and Randy Walhood as treasurer and shoot chairman.
– Contributed by Jo Ellen Collin
