Clay Target Nation

The official magazine of the National Skeet Shooting Association and the National Sporting Clays Association

JTH Agency Classic at Victor Rod & Gun

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Victor Rod and Gun Club proudly hosted the 2024 JTH Agency Classic on June 7-9. This year’s event was the 35th anniversary of this registered skeet tournament and the 20th consecutive year that John and Elizabeth Hessney, owners of the JTH Agency, sponsored the doubles and four-gun events. This year’s shoot featured over $6000 in added money and valuable prizes. Shooters traveled from around the region to attend this well-respected tournament.

RU – R. Dennis Lehman, Shoot Sponsor – John Hessney, HOA CH – Steven Wood

Friday afternoon started the competition with 44 shooters in the doubles event. Squadmates Mat Kelley and Jeff Ventry conquered 99 wind-blown targets to lead the field. Kelley won the short shoot-off to claim the Champ title, with Ventry becoming the runner-up. Class winners were Denny Lehman (AA), Rick Ayers (A), Aaron Burnett (B), Mike Kinsella (C), and William DiSalle (D). After the conclusion of the shooting, the shooters were treated to a happy hour and a great meal, compliments of Jim and Hilda Thompson. Thanks to Jim and Hilda!

Saturday’s weather was very breezy, causing the targets to do their dance. Fifty-eight shooters took to the fields for Saturday’s competition, with the .410 bore event first. Three shooters topped the field with scores of 97. Clay Tietjen prevailed in an exciting shoot-off to take the .410 champ title, with Kody Hoth claiming the runner-up spot and Steve Wood taking AA1. Other Class winners were Jeff Ventry (A), Denny Lehman (B), Jeff Groh (C), and Svilen Vasilev (D).

The 20-gauge competition commenced on Saturday afternoon. Clay Tietjen and Steve Wood posted the best scores with 99’s. After a lively shoot-off, Clay Tietjen was crowned 20-gauge Champion, with Steve Wood following as runner-up. The remaining class winners were Dess Ivanov (AA), John Boone (A), Ethan Call (B), Zack Jacot (C), and Joan Paddock (D).

This year, Pete Hamann of Pete’s Stockworks in Bloomfield, NY, generously donated $300 in added money for a special 20-gauge handicapped event for B-C-D class shooters only. Zach Jacot won this year’s special 20-gauge handicapped event, with Ethan Call and Ed Cornelius picking up the second and third place monies. Our thanks to Pete for his generous support of this event and for all that he does for the recreational shooting community.

At the conclusion of Saturday’s shoot-offs, the shooters, family members, guests, and gun club volunteers all enjoyed a great happy hour and a succulent steak dinner donated by a group of Victor Rod and Gun Club members. The steaks were grilled to perfection, and everyone enjoyed them to the last bite.

Sunday’s weather continued to be windy with a chance of showers. With great anticipation, the fearless shooters went to the fields to compete in the 28-gauge and 12-gauge events. First up was 28-gauge. Denny Lehman and Steve Wood posted the first 100’s of the shoot. Lehman prevailed in the shoot-off to take the 28-gauge Champion title, with Steve Wood closely behind to take the runner-up spot. Class winners were Clay Tietjen (AA), Justin Aldrich (A), Mark Jesske (B), Kerry Henderson (C), and Dave Pickles (D).

Sunday afternoon featured the 12-gauge event. The weatherman’s “chance” of showers turned into a deluge of midafternoon rain. Three shooters were able to run all 100 targets. After a very competitive shoot-off, Denny Lehman took home the 12-gauge title, with Mat Kelley as runner-up and Dave Cooley as AA class winner. The remaining 12-gauge class winners were Jeff Ventry (A), Mike Kinsella (B), Dale “Bob” Patterson (C), William DiSalle (D), and John Yackiw (E).

Throughout the weekend, Steve Wood was steady, consistent, and on-target. Wood’s 394×400 was the top HOA score. Lehman finished as runner-up with a fine 391×400. HOA class winners were Dave Cooley (AA), Kody Hoth (A), Justin Aldrich (B), and Bruce Liddle (C-D-E combined).

For the 12th consecutive shoot, the HOA competition featured the added-handicapped HOA Challenge. All four-gun shooters were eligible to enter this event. This event is named “Joe’s Challenge” in memory of Joe Strazzeri. Joe was a great skeet shooter and a stalwart of the Victor Rod and Gun Club. The DiMarco Group donated $2500 in added money for Joe’s Challenge. The event drew great interest from the shooters. The scoreboard was watched closely throughout the weekend. When the results were all in, Steve Wood took home the top prize, followed in order by Dave Cooley, Denny Lehman, and Ethan Call.

Special thanks go out to our club volunteers for their strong support of this shoot. Congratulations to our admin team of Mark S., Terry P., Andy N., and Keith M. for streamlining the registration process and ensuring that the shoot management process ran flawlessly. Also, thanks to Jim Thompson and Dan Caryl and the great crew of fine referees. We cannot thank shoot sponsors John and Elizabeth Hessney enough for their support and generosity. Each year they give back to the sport by sponsoring this fine shoot. John and Elizabeth are the owners and proprietors of the JTH Agency. They sell quality firearms, apparel, and accessories for the recreational shooting sports. Check out the store online at https://www.jthagency.com

Thank you to this year’s shooters. We appreciate your continued support of this shoot. We look forward to seeing you at the 2025 JTH Agency Classic!

– Contributed by Wes Bailey

40th Pacific Arms Cowtown Open at Fort Worth Trap and Skeet

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Fort Worth Trap and Skeet (FWTS) hosted the 40th Anniversary Pacific Arms Cowtown Open, April 26-28. To begin, a huge thank-you goes to Mr. John Herkowitz, owner of Pacific Sporting Arms, for being the title sponsor. Like many successful events, this tournament came about with the combined efforts of many individuals. Mr. Herkowitz came on board early in the planning process to provide added money. 3on8 (Mike Gerschick) also provided support, as well as Briley Manufacturing through their contributions for all FWTS skeet shoots.

HOA Winners: Champ – Cash Hicks, Runner Up – Nicholas Godfrey, Third – Mike Gerschick

FWTS board and staff members can be credited with producing a beautiful setting, good targets and seamless registration. Member Allen Cline presided as Chief Referee and brought a top-notch crew of referees with him. Members Mike Schmitt, Ken Gigliotti, Rick and JoEllen Collin, Gene and Tracy Ragle and Board President Steve Bradbury each sponsored an event to ensure the winner would come away with the traditional Cowtown buckle and a monetary award. Members David Roberts and John Kirkland made certain participants would be well fed and well hydrated. A final nod of thanks goes to Chris and Jennifer Hicks, Jason Kennedy and Talia Hughes for their tireless work in the kitchen. No one left the shoot without the opportunity to be well fed.

Contestants hailing from not only Texas, but also Kansas and California were present to begin Doubles on Friday. Three rotations of Doubles were scheduled, and very few vacancies were available. Blustery conditions required some hard looks at the target, but good scores were recorded nonetheless. Gun Champ was Cash Hicks (99) with Robert Gonzalez (97) as runner-up. Adam Roberts was third (94), and Lady Champ was Jean Berry from California.

Saturday opened with the same windy conditions and the 12-gauge event. The weather did not prevent Cash Hicks or Adam Roberts from running perfect scores of 100 and meeting later that day for a shoot-off. Winners in every class were credited with scores in the 90’s, indicating the talent and fortitude that prevailed against the wind. When the shoot-off smoke cleared, Cash Hicks was Champion, Adam Roberts runner-up, and Robert Gonzalez 3rd and SSCH. AA1 was Dana Palmer (98) and Nick Godfrey AA2 (93). Russell Stevens and Greg VanBelois were A1 and 2, respectively, with 98s. Jean Berry was making a run for the Lady HOA Champion buckle by winning with a 92.

Saturday concluded with 20-gauge, and this time the Champ was Nick Godfrey (99), runner-up Allen Cline (99) and third Cash Hicks (98). Kansas shooter Grayson Kremeier was AA1 and Junior Champ (98), Mike Gerschick AA2 (98), and Casey Stanfield A1 and SSCh (97). JoEllen Collin shot 96 to win Lady Champ. Following shoot-offs, contestants and families were invited to a steak dinner to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Cowtown. Also celebrated was the 86th birthday of Tim Cudia, who served as referee all weekend.

Sunday was not consistent with most skeet tournaments; as the day wore on, the wind began to lie down, all threats of rain were exhausted, and shooters took up the little guns in more favorable conditions. Three young men scored 99s in 28-gauge, and the winners were Grayson Kremeier, Champion; Cash Hicks, runner-up, and Nick Godfrey third. Robert McClain was AA1, George Murray AA2, Mike Gerschick AA3 and Michael Dennis A1.

The .410 Bore event found Cash Hicks and Nick Godfrey shooting off for gun champ with 97s and Cash taking the buckle. Godfrey was runner -up and Dustin Holmes (96) third. Robert McClain and Adam Roberts had 91s for AA1and 2, Dana Palmer AA3. Mike Gerschick edged out Clay Laughlin for A1and 2, with Robert Ellington bringing in A3. Jean Berry took D1 and Lady Champ.

Frequent trips to the winner’s podium earned Cash Hicks the HOA title. This competitor won three of four events for 394. Nick Godfrey was HOA runner-up with a 388 and Mike Gerschick third with a 383. JoEllen Collin (362) was declared Lady HOA Champ and Jean Berry runner-up with a 357.

Skeet Chairmen JoEllen Collin and Tracy Ragle would like to extend an invitation to all registered skeet shooters to attend a Fort Worth tournament this year and experience a fantastic background and Texas hospitality for yourself.

– Contributed by Tracy Ragle

20 GA Winners: Champ – Nicholas Godfrey, Runner Up – Alen Cline, Third – Cash Hicks
28 GA Winners: Champ – Grayson Kremeier, Runner Up – Cash Hicks, Third – Nicholas Godfrey
.410 Bore Winners: Champ – Cash Hick, Runner Up – Nicholas Godfrey, Third – Dustin Holmes
Doubles Winners: Champ – Cash Hicks, Runner Up – Robert Gonzalez, Third – Adam Roberts
“This is the 2nd registered shoot for Hadison Hardy having shot her first in March. We appreciate her for shooting the Cowtown and look forward to seeing her and other youth shooters in the future.”

Clairton 200 at Clairton Sportsmen’s Club

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The Clairton Sportsmen’s Club held the Clairton 200 on June 15 at their expansive facility in Clairton, PA. All three of their manicured skeet fields were used. The weather was beautiful; sunny and upper 70s with light winds. This shoot featured 100 12-gauge birds in the morning and 100 28-gauge birds in the afternoon. HOA winners were Matt Bartosch, after winning a shoot-off of 191’s with runner-up Scott Hazlett, and Tom Shields, third.

Matt Bartosch – HOA CH and 12-GA CH, Scott Hazlett – HOA RU

Bartosch won the 12-gauge event with a nice 99; 12 shooters participated. Class winners were Hazlett (B), Greg Grove (C), Rich Rothrock (D) and George Gleich (E).

A nice lunch was provided including hot sausage sandwiches, potato salad and a variety of tasty cookies. Thanks to Don Steinert for his efforts.

Of 14 participants in the 28-gauge event, Mark Jones shot a 95 and emerged as Champion. Class winners included Bartosch, Hazlett, John Avolio and Grove, respectively, in AA, B, C and D Classes.

Thanks to Brian Steinert and John Avolio for registration, scorekeeping and other administrative duties. Refereeing was handled by Don and Brian Steinert and Lance and Carl Biddle. Marie Palmer made attractive shooting towels which were awarded to the top three HOA finishers.

Clairton is a dynamic club hosting many shooting activities. It is great to see the return of registered skeet there!

– Contributed By George Gleich

Mark Jones – 28 GA CH
John Avolio, Bryan Steinert

Blackbird Open at Generations Skeet Club

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The Blackbird Open was held at Generations Skeet Club (PA) on May 5.  Thirty-four shooters participated in this two-gun event, 12-gauge in the morning and 20-gauge in the afternoon.  The shooters on the first flight got very wet, but then the weather broke and remained overcast but pleasant with a bit of sun peeking in here and there.

Chris Kline – 12 GA, 20 GA and HOA CH, Riley Kline, Pat Leyo – HOA RU

Chris Kline took HOA Champion honors with a perfect 200; de ja vu, he did the same thing at last year’s Blackbird! Pat Leyo posted a 197 to take HOA runner-up.

Kline’s 100-straight made him the 12-Gauge Champion, but not until he won a shoot-off of 100-straights with Pat Leyo. Class winners in the 12 included Leyo (AA-100), Bryson Fox (A-99), Tim Vescovi (B-96), Scott Hazlett (C-97), John Welch (D-92) and Jack Petrosky (E-87). Some nice shooting there, folks!

Kline was outright 20-Gauge Champion with his second 100-straight of the day. Class firsts went to Carl Biddle (98), Tim Vescovi (95), Brandon Holtz (96), Jack Makdad (95) and Jack Petrosky (90), AA, A, B, C and D, respectively.

Thanks to Ryan Holtz and Bill Calvert for running the desk. Kudos to Renee Calvert, Andrea and Jackie McMullen and Alex Farrell who refereed. Thanks also to Pat Leyo for doughnuts, to Joe McGarvey for homemade beef vegetable soup, and to Renee Calvert for chocolate chip cookies.

Generations’ upcoming shoots for 2024 include the Firebird 500 (July 19-21) and the 10th annual Couples Shoot (September 1).

– Contributed By George Gleich

Generations Invitational at Library Sportsmen’s Association

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Library Sportsmen’s Association in Finleyville, Pennsylvania, held its Generations Invitational on May 18-19. Library’s two beautiful new skeet fields are being broken in with numerous registered shoots this year, including closed club shoots and several open shoots. Numerous Library shooters have attended registered shoots at Generations Skeet Club in Patton, PA, while construction of Library’s new fields was underway. LSA chose to return the favor by inviting Generations’ members to a shoot named in their honor. Nine Generations shooters participated in this shoot.

Brian Steinhert – HOA RU, Chris Kline – HOA CH, Joe Vescovi – HOA 3RD

This was a two-gun, two-day shoot involving the 20-gauge (25 shooters) and 28-gauge (23 shooters). The weather was beautiful on both days, mostly sunny and warm with light winds. Chris Kline was HOA Champion with a nice 196; Brian Steinert’s 195 was good for runner-up, and Joe Vescovi took third with a 192.

The 20-gauge was shot first. Kline’s 98 made him Champion. Class firsts went to Joe Vescovi (AA), Tom Oliver (A), Tim Holtz (B), John Avolio (C) and Michael Kasimirsky (D).

The 28-gauge was next; Brian Steinert ran them and was Champion. Class firsts (AA, A, B, C and D, respectively) went to Kline (98), Roy Holtz (96), Scott Hazlett (94), Rich Rothrock (95) and Shawn King (85).

Shoot management was ably handled by John Avolio. Jacki Avolio and Clayton Benson did a great job refereeing. Jacki also prepared the food, including pulled pork, potato salad, a yummy chocolate cake and cookies. Marie Palmer made beautiful champion, runner-up and third shooting towel awards (paid for by LSA).

– Contributed by George Gleich

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