Cara Woodard

Stockton Classic at Stockton Trap and Skeet Club

August 8, 2022 By Cara Woodard

Beautiful Northern California weather did not disappoint for the first Stockton Classic held July 15-17 at the gorgeous Stockton Trap and Skeet Club. Stockton’s 10 perfectly designed fields, clear, blue background and shady park provided an environment like no other. Staff and volunteers did a tremendous job hosting this event, and our wonderful sponsorship provided ample added money to entice shooters to fly in from around the country.

The sold-out event started Friday afternoon with doubles. Three perfect scores were posted in this event. After a lengthy shoot-off, winners were Paul Giambrone (champion), Dave Anderson (runner-up) and Craig Parsons (third).

The main championship began Saturday morning with the 12-gauge event. There were eight straight 100s. It was an exciting moment when local favorite Rocky Romo (champion) outlasted Luke Morgan (runner-up), in a multi-box shoot-off to claim the championship. Another local favorite, Joe Fry, claimed third overall in this impressive field.

The 20-gauge event kept the excitement going with 10 perfect 100s. After another multi-box shoot-off, Paul Giambrone (champion) took the top of the podium. Central California native Daniel Bock’s strong performance earned him the runner-up spot, and Clay Baldwin made his first podium in third place. Lauren Burge claimed her second Lady Champion of the weekend with her perfect 100.

Four shooters still had perfect scores by end of day Saturday, foreshadowing a close race for the HOA Championship. They Included Clay Baldwin, Daniel Bocks, Luke Morgan and Craig Parsons.

Saturday night dinner in the park was sponsored by the club. A local taco truck was brought in with all-you-can-eat tacos and beverages. Shooters socialized into the warm evening and relaxed before the final events on Sunday.

The next morning opened in reverse order, starting out with .410. Five 99s topped the score sheets in the little gun event. A strong shoot-off brought Joe Fry back to his second podium and first championship of the weekend. Runner-up was Andy Peter, with Kevin Monteleone taking third.

It was anyone’s game going into Sunday afternoon’s showdown in 28-gauge. Five straight 100s set up an epic battle for the podium. Two local men made it to the end, with Central California’s Daniel Bocks taking champion, Craig Parsons taking runner-up and Bay Area’s Jack Campbell locking in third. A highlight of this event was Caroline George and her impressive 100 straight, making her Lady Champion.

The perfect 400 eluded us for the weekend, but Craig Parsons’ 398 was strong enough to capture the HOA title outright. Joe Fry locked in the runner-up spot with a 397, and Clay Baldwin brought in third with a score of 396.

Concurrent HOA winners included Lauren Burge (Lady), Joe Fry (Triple-Sub), Clay Baldwin (Sub-Sub-Senior), Andy Peter (Sub-Senior), Craig Parsons (Senior), Bill Marble (Veteran), Josh Deburger (Military), Robert Ennes (Retired Military), Water Cheng (Military Veteran) and Sean Gibson (First Responder).

Thanks again to all of our sponsors and volunteers who made this such a great event. Special thanks to all of the shooters who traveled from around the country to support this shoot. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves and will return for an even greater event next year.

– Contributed by Brad Erickson

Paratrooper Open at Fort Bragg Clay Target Center

August 8, 2022 By Cara Woodard

Fort Bragg Clay Target Center in Spring Lake, North Carolina, was the site for the Paratrooper Open, July 8-10. A total of 74 shooters competed, with 58 shooting 4 guns. Turn-out was great, and the center was once again in excellent condition, considering it just hosted 81 shooters two weeks earlier for the U.S. Open.

The weather caused a bit of excitement – in fact, Friday morning it was questionable if we could even hold the shoot as planned. A severe thunderstorm Thursday night and a nearby lightning strike knocked out all the skeet machines. Thanks to the hard work by the staff, trap mechanic and several shooters assisting, parts were replaced and cords rewired in record time. Enough fields were working to start doubles at 1 p.m. and execute the shoot as planned. Another storm Friday afternoon resulted in the doubles finishing Saturday morning. Saturday was a scorcher with the heat and humidity, but Sunday brought clouds and a bit of rain, along with temperatures 20 degrees cooler.

There was a 3-way tie in Doubles with scores of 98. Alison Boyette was champion, Paul Stemac runner-up and Jason Cloninger third. There was also a 3-way tie of 100s in 12-gauge with Alison winning champion, Scott Graham runner-up and Charles Lawley third. With scores of 100, Alison won a shoot-off against Tim Koller to win the 20-gauge championship; Stuart Brown was third. There were seven scores of 100 in 28-gauge, with Richard Nixon winning champion, Chip Simmons runner-up and Noah Dove third. There were shoot-offs of 99s and 98s in .410 bore for the top 3 awards — with Stuart Brown taking champion, Robert Shelley runner-up, and Chip Simmons third.

Stuart Brown won HOA by one target with a 396. Two 395s shot off, with Alison Boyette winning HOA runner-up and Scott Graham taking gun third.

The weekend concluded with shoot-offs in a Youth Handicap HOA event. Jim Tiner presented awards to the winners:

Sub-Junior / Junior group – Mary Beth Parris 1st, Ridge Pearson 2nd, Addison Wallace 3rd

Collegiate group – Alison Boyette 1st, Henry Hardin 2nd, Noah Dove 3rd.

Belinda and Jim Tiner thank everyone who helped with set-up, serving food, and clean-up to make sure the event was successful and fun for all. Also, thank-you to the MWR staff who had the facility prepped, resolved major issues that could have affected the shoot, and to Stuart Brown for perfect targets.

– Contributed by Belinda Tiner

Newark Open at Newark Rod and Gun Club

August 8, 2022 By Cara Woodard

The 2022 Newark Open at Newark (NY) Rod and Gun Club started out on Friday, July 29, with pretty decent conditions. Six squads of shooters took to the fields, and at the end of the day, Dess Ivanov and Craig Parsons posted the high scores. After a lengthy shoot-off (something less than 10 boxes) Parsons emerged with the title. Canada’s Dan Morris was third. Class winners were John Boone (A), Craig Halstead (B), Al Grundman (C) and Joanna Nichols, (D).

Saturday brought ideal temperatures but plenty of the “Great Lakes puffies” and more breeze than skeet shooters hope for. Even so, and with the aid of finely tuned machines by trap mechanic Pat Breen and Lawry New York orange (black rim targets), great scores were recorded, including three 100s by Dan Morris, Steve Wood and Scott Janowski.

After the shoot-off dust settled, Dan Morris emerged as champion, Scott Janowski was runner-up and Steve Wood claimed third. Class winners Craig Halstead (A), Dave Sobiegray (B), Doug Goodman (C), Larry Clarke (D) and Joan Paddock (E).

The afternoon brought more of the same conditions until late afternoon, and again three perfect scores were posted. This time, Craig Parsons came out on top, Steve Wood was RU and Dess Ivanov made the podium in third place. Class winners were Dan Morris (AA), Dave Sobiegray (A), Cameron Baker (B), Joan Paddock (C) and Cheryl Henderson (D).

Due to the generous donation of members Cliff Patridge and Pat Breen, we had a 20- gauge B, C, D class handicap challenge, free of charge to all competitors. Newark’s own junior shooter Cam Baker won the event with a fine 98X100, and splitting second and third-place monies were Joan Paddock and Jim Reilly.

Capping off the evening was a dinner provided by the club and catered by Newark’s Nana’s Village Restaurant & Catering.

Sunday brought near-perfect conditions except for a few “puffies” in the middle of the day. 28-gauge was held in the morning and Steve Wood and Dess Ivanov had the two perfect scores, with Dess finishing as champ, Steve as runner-up, and Craig Parsons in third place. Winning the classes were Scott Janowski (A), Craig Halstead, (B) Cameron Baker (C) and Cheryl Henderson (D).

The .410 event brought 99s by Dess Ivanov and Craig Parsons, with Dess winning the championship, Craig runner-up and Dan Morris, third. Walt Aldrich (A), Jim Reilly, (B) Victor Stirpe (C) and John Greco (D)

HOA Champion was Dess Ivanov with an impressive 398X400. Runner-up was Steve Wood with 397X400, and third-place was Craig Parsons with 396X400. Class winners were Clay Tietjen (A), Jim Reilly (B), Cam Baker (C), Joan Paddock (D). Ivanov was also HAA Champion, Wood was runner-up and Parsons, third.

The club would like to thank everyone that pitched in to make this happen, with a special thanks to the refs that did a great job pushing the buttons for us. We hope to see everyone again next year!

– Contributed by Craig Parsons

Harry Wright Open

August 8, 2022 By Cara Woodard

Alessandro Vitale, center, came just short of a clean sweep at the Harry Wright Open at Loch Raven Skeet and Trap Club in Maryland. Vitale was HOA Champion (399×400), HAA Champion (498×500), Doubles, 12-gauge, 20-gauge, and .410 bore champion. Gil Traore was 28-gauge champion. Mark Gay, left, was HOA runner-up and Sam Armstrong third.

4th Annual Harry Michelson Memorial at St. Joe Valley

August 8, 2022 By Cara Woodard

The 4th Annual Harry Michelson Memorial shoot was held July 15-17 at St. Joe Valley Conservation Club in St. Joe, Indiana. Harry was a beloved referee from Ohio that absolutely loved doing what he did and did it into his 90s before passing away. Because of his love of the sport, his family has generously donated added money to this event in his honor every year. This added money is not only awarded to the event winners and runner-up but spread out among the class winners and runner-up as well. In addition, this year they sponsored the free lunches Saturday and Sunday.

Thirty skeet shooters took to the fields Friday for doubles, and there was some weather to be dealt with. Bryan Rogers won the event with a solid 98, with Bruce Christian, runner-up, on his heels with a 97. Jack Krispin was third, scoring a 96; please pay attention to this name – it will be mentioned often. Class winners were Brent Edwards (AA), Patrick Fowler (A), James Neirzwick (B), Stan Gorgacz (C) and Folke Boman (D).

Saturday appeared to be another rainy day, but the weather held off and offered fantastic shooting conditions, with the scores reflecting it. Forty-five shooters entered the 12-gauge event, resulting in four 100s and five 99s. When the shoot-offs were complete, Jack Krispin was champ with Robert Lopez (all the way from Bulverde, Texas) taking runner-up. Jim Sikes was third, and class winners were previous World Champion Fred Tzschantz (AA), Jeff Pope (A), Jeff Roussey (B), Ron Galloway (C) and William Stroll (D).

Lunch was served by club volunteers, and then off to the fields for the 20-gauge. Forty-three entries, three 100s and five 99s later, shoot-offs began. Local celebrity Owen Knight emerged gun champ with Brent Edwards (another World Champion) as runner-up and Bryan Rogers sliding into third. Class, winners were Jack Krispin (AA), former 28-gauge World Champion Bruce Christian (A), Dan Adam (B), Loraine Malloy (C) and Folke Boman (D).

Sunday saw 42 shooters compete for 28-gauge champion, and the weather was great – no wind and grey skies. There were four 100s and five 99s, with Jack Krispin coming out on top, with Bryan Rogers runner-up and Owen Knight third. Class winners were Brent Edwards (AA), Jeff Roussey (A), Tom Pavlack (B), Stan Gorgacz (C) and William Stoll (D).

Lunch was served again to the delight of the shooters, and the last event of the weekend was ready to go. Thirty-eight shooters participated in the .410, resulting in a lone 100 by Jack Krispin. Fred Tschantz was runner-up and James Sykes third in a shoot-off of 99s. Class winners were Andrew Bielman (AA), David Duncan (A), Larry Israel (B), Kyle LaFountain (C) and Adam Smith (D).

The HOA winner was Jack Krispin with a splendid 399 – he previously shot a 400×400 at the Mid America at St. Joe earlier this year. There was a 3-way shoot-off of 395s, with Fred Tschantz securing runner-up, Bryan Rogers third and Brent Edwards taking AA1. Other HOA class winners were Kyle Krispin (A), William Sorensen (B), Adam Smith (C) and William Stroll (D).

Many thanks to all of the volunteers (and there are many) at St. Joe Valley, with special thanks to Debbi Perry for her assistance behind the computer. And a very special shout-out to Bruce Christian. Without these special folks, great events like this would not happen. Thank you again to the Michelson family for their continued support and to our shooters who attended. We hope to see you next year.

– Contributed by Tom Pavlack