Clay Target Nation

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

Clinton-Irwin’s Klody Memorial

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The Clinton-Irwin Rod and Gun Club near Barkeyville, PA, hosted the 15th annual Klody Memorial Open on June 12. John Klody was a tireless volunteer at this club during the time that the second field was being built, and field 2 is named in his honor. 

Fourteen shooters shot at least one gun in this one-day, three-gun shoot. Evan Martin’s 195 took HOA champion honors; Brian Steinert was runner-up with 194.

The weather was cloudy and threatening with a bit of rain early and then began clearing in the afternoon with increasing humidity. Unfortunately, the prediction of rain for the entire day probably convinced some potential shooters to stay home.

Eight shooters went after doubles first thing in the morning. Don Steinert’s 94 was good for champion and B1. Other class firsts went to Brian Steinert (AA), Mark Eckert (A), Bill Sellitto (C) and Jason Callahan (D).

The 20-gauge came next, and 14 shooters participated. Brian Steinert was champion and AA1 after winning a shoot-off of 98s with Martin (runner-up and A1) and Tom Shields. B and D firsts went to Scott Hazlett and Andrew Hazlett, respectively.

Fourteen shooters also participated in the 28-gauge event in the afternoon. Paul Augustin shot a nice 98 and was champion and A1. Don Steinert, George Gleich and Mark Jones, respectively, took B1, C1 and D1.

Many thanks to everyone who helped. Shoot sign-up and scorekeeping was handled by Casey Vensel and Wayne Haines. Pullers and scorers included Wayne Haines, Terry Leake, Greg Lopata and Rich Vensel. Lenny Vensel loaded houses. Darlene Burns prepared and served food including sloppy joes, hot dogs, macaroni salad and deviled eggs.

Nice club, nice people, good birds, good lunch. Clinton-Irwin would love to see you at their upcoming August 5-7 four-gun shoot, The Lopata Classic.

– Contributed by George Gleich

JTH Agency Classic

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Left to right: HOA Champ Dan Morris, Shoot Sponsor John Hessney, HOA A1st Champ Clay Tietjen, and HOA RU Dess Ivanov.

Victor Rod and Gun Club in New York hosted the 2022 JTH Agency Classic from June 10 to June 12. This year’s event was the 33rd anniversary of this registered skeet tournament and the 18th consecutive year that John and Elizabeth Hessney, owners of the JTH Agency, sponsored the doubles and four-gun events. The Hessneys were very generous, as they always are, providing over $6,000 in added money and prizes for this year’s shoot. Shooters traveled from the Western New York region, Pennsylvania and Illinois to attend this well-respected tournament. We were delighted to have our Canadian friends be able to attend this year as the COVID border restrictions have eased.

The club members and shoot committee greeted the shooters. The VRGC website online registration helped speed the shooters through the registration process. After volatile spring weather in the Rochester area, Mother Nature provided a very pleasant weekend for shooting. The clubhouse and grounds were in tournament condition due to the hours of preparation work by our club’s volunteers. The members take great pride in hosting this event. We always strive to live up to the shoot’s tagline as the “Biggest Little Shoot in New York State.”

Friday afternoon started the competition with 44 shooters in the doubles event. No shooter was able to run all the targets. Squadmates Dess Ivanov and Steve Wood each posted excellent scores of 98. In a short shoot-off, Dess prevailed as champ with Steve taking the runner-up spot. Class winners were Craig Parsons (AA), Scott Janowski (A), Mike Haff (B), Al Grundman (C) and Mike Kinsella (D). After the conclusion of the shooting, the shooters were treated to a happy hour and meal compliments of Jim and Hilda Thompson. Thanks, Jim and Hilda!

Saturday’s weather cooperated with the shooters. The morning skies were partly cloudy with a little wind, but not bad for early summer in the Northeast. Fifty shooters took to the fields for Saturday’s competition with the .410 bore event first. No shooter was able to break 100 .410 targets. Brian (BJ) Jensen lost only one bird to finish with a field best of 99, claiming the champ’s title. Canadian Dan Morris and Pennsylvanian Mike Wojtecki posted 98s. Dan was runner-up after besting Mike in a shoot-off. Mike took the B class champ title. Other class winners were Dennis Lehman (AA), Don Lewandoski (A), Ron Casella (C) and John Yackiw (D).

The 20-gauge competition commenced on Saturday afternoon. Another full field of 50 shooters took to the fields. Mat Kelley and Clay Tietjen brought the first 100’s to the clubhouse. Mat triumphed as 20-gauge champ, with Clay becoming the runner-up. After the shoot-off clay dust settled, the class winners were Dan Morris (AA), Rick Laurito (A), Terry Prem (B), Guy Barr (C) and Joan Paddock (D).

This year, Pete Hamann generously donated $300 in added money for a special 20-gauge handicapped event for B-C-D class shooters only. Pete is the owner of Pete’s Stockworks & Shooting Supplies, LLC in Bloomfield, NY. Guy Barr won this year’s special 20-gauge handicapped event, with Doug Goodman and Kerry Henderson splitting the 2nd and 3rd place money. Thank you, Pete, for your generous support of this event and for all that you do for the recreational shooting community.

At the conclusion of Saturday’s shoot-offs, the shooters, family members, 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 all savored them to the last bite. Jim Hunter emceed the night’s events and got the festivities started. As a special note, Jim Hunter is one of the founders of this shoot. Thanks, JimBob, for all of your contributions to this registered shoot over the past 33 years.

Sunday’s weather was ominous with a forecast that included possible thunderstorms. Undaunted, 50 shooters went to the fields to compete in the 28-gauge and 54 in the 12-gauge event. Much to the delight of the shooters, the weather held off until near the end of day. First up was the 28-gauge event. The winds were calm, and Ivanov and Wood took advantage by running all 100 targets. After a friendly shoot-off, Steve Wood came out the 28-gauge champ, with Dess Ivanov being the runner-up. Scott Janowski’s score of 99 earned him the AA title. Other class winners were Colin Smingler (A), Clay Tietjen (B), Mike Kinsella (C) and Joan Paddock (D).

Sunday afternoon featured the 12-gauge event. Three shooters – Ivanov, Morris and Justin Aldrich – crushed all 100 targets. After a very competitive and hard-fought shoot-off, Ivanov took home the 12-gauge title, with Morris being the runner-up, and Aldrich claiming the A1 title. Other class winners were Steve Wood (AA), Jim Reilly (B), John Yackiw (C), Todd Abbey (D), and Emily Streber (E).

As a special note, during the 12-gauge competition, Don Lewandoski shot his 50,000th registered target. Congratulations, Don!

For the third consecutive year, a 395×400 was the top HOA score. This year, though, both Dan Morris and Dess Ivanov posted the 395s. Morris won the shoot-off to claim the 2022 JTH Agency Classic HOA title. Ivanov finished as the runner-up. The class winners were Mathew Kelley (AA), Clay Tietjen (A), Brian Jensen (B), Kerry Henderson (C) and Joan Paddock (D).

For the tenth consecutive shoot, the HOA competition featured the added handicapped HOA Challenge. All four-gun shooters were eligible to enter this event, 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. Sadly, we lost Joe to pancreatic cancer in November, 2018. Joe was a great friend to all that knew him. He is greatly missed, but always remembered. Our shoot sponsors, John and Elizabeth, added a bounty of prizes for this event including two Beretta shotguns and a Briley gift certificate. Needless to say, the event drew great interest from the shooters. The score board was watched closely at the conclusion of each event. When the results were all in, Clay Tietjen took home a 20-gauge Beretta A400 Action shotgun, Dan Morris won the 12-gauge Beretta A400 XCEL shotgun, and Dess Ivanov won the Briley gift certificate. Congrats to all winners of this year’s “Joe’s Challenge” handicapped HOA event.

Special thanks go out to our shoot chairman Andy Nolan who manages the shoot project. He has strong support from Keith, Max, Hilda and Jim T., John Y, Terry P, Ron B and many others. Also, thanks to 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 www.jthagency.com.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2023 JTH Agency Classic!

– Contributed by Wes Bailey

Pictured left to right are HOA Champ Dan Morris, Shoot Sponsor John Hessney, HOA A1st Champ Clay Tietjen, and HOA runner-up Dess Ivanov.

19th Holtz Memorial

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Generations Skeet Club near Patton, Pennsylvania, hosted the 19th annual Holtz Memorial Shoot, a 5-gun affair, on June 3-5. This shoot is held in memory of Ralph Holtz, his wife Mary Louise, and their grandson Kyle Holtz. Ralph died in 2003, Kyle in 2004, and Mary Louise in 2018. 

The weather for the entire weekend was, in a word, beautiful! Fifty-four shooters shot at least one gun. Five Maryland shooters joined the festivities. Top HOA finishers were Nick Boerboon (champion, 395), Joe Vescovi (runner-up, 393) and Alyssa Gormish (Lady, 381).

Thirty-one participants shot doubles on Friday afternoon. Chris Kline’s 98 made him outright champion. Mike Wollard was runner-up after winning a shoot-off of 97s with Denny Lehman and Rich Vensel. Class firsts went to Lehman (A), Tyler Mroczka (B), after winning a shoot-off of 91s with Bill Calvert, Ethan Cree (C), and Joe Gans III (D).

The 28-gauge shooting took place on Saturday morning with 50 shooters participating. Jack Harshbarger was outright champion with his 100-straight. Class firsts were Joe Vescovi (AA) after winning a shoot-off of 99s with Roy Holtz, Gary Nace (A), Missy Vescovi (B) after winning a shoot-off of 95s with Cree, Scott Grossett (C) and Emily Harshbarger (D).

Shooting continued on Saturday afternoon with the 12-gauge event which involved 51 shooters. Boerboon, Gormish and Joe Vescovi were perfect. Nick won the shoot-off and was champion; Alyssa was runner-up. Adam Vollmer, Joe Vescovi, Vensel, Joe Gans V, Mike Norris and Emily Harshbarger, respectively, were AA, A, B, C, D and E class winners.

On Saturday evening, delicious grilled venison was prepared by Joe Vescovi and served, with his secret sauce, as hors d’oeuvres. A bountiful meal was served including chicken, pork, sliders and meatballs (chicken grilled by Ryan Holtz). The large variety of desserts was especially decadent! The Three-Man Blind event (to be based on Sunday’s .410 scores) was set up with lively auction bidding for the computer-picked teams after dinner. A total of more than $2,000 was pledged.

The .410 bore was shot (50 shooters) on Sunday morning with very little wind. Lehman emerged as champion with a sizzling 100 straight. Boerboon’s 98 was good for runner-up and AA1. Other class firsts went to Ryan Holtz (A), Jack Harshbarger (B), Paul Hunt (C) and Norris (D).

The 20-gauge event was last and took place on Sunday afternoon with 51 shooters participating. Frank Smithmyer shot the lone 100 straight and was champion. Wollard took runner-up and AA1 after winning a shoot-off of 99s with Vollmer. Other class firsts were Joe Vescovi (A) after winning a shoot-off of 98s with Ryan Holtz, Mark Strickland (B) after winning a shoot-off of 98s with Calvert, Zak Sutton (C) after winning a shoot-off of 96s with Michael Moats and Emily Harshbarger (D). Some fine shooting there, folks!

Ryan Holtz handled registration and score keeping and Michael Vescovi was chief referee. Non-shooting referees included Paige and Andrea McMullen, Courtney Burgoon, Renee Calvert and Braden Holtz; all did a great job, thank you! Scott Grossett prepared delicious pheasant chili which was gobbled up on Saturday. As usual, Pat Leyo provided yummy doughnuts on Saturday and Sunday mornings, much to everyone’s delight.

The 3-man blind winners were Denny Lehman, Bryson Fox and Paul Hunt, and each shooter received $60. Bryson, Paul and Rich Vensel bought the winning team at auction and took home $1,000 to share. Payouts went to the four highest-scoring teams’ shooters and buyers.

Notable events included: Joe Gans V, from Hazleton, PA, shooting his first registered 50 straight in the 12-gauge event and his hat being appropriately demolished; Jack Harshbarger shooting his first 100-straight in the 28 gauge and sneaking away with his hat intact (boo, hiss!); and the longest shoot-off in memory at Generations Skeet Club with Wollard, Vollmer and Boerboon going well into the second box shooting off their 99s before Wollard took AA1 and Vollmer took AA2 in the 20-gauge.

– Contributed by George Gleich

 

Skyline Open at Skyline Skeet and Trap

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The Skyline Skeet and Trap Club in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, hosted its 14th annual Skyline Open on July 8-10. Skyline is a privately-owned shooting facility. The weather was beautiful all weekend. 

The Skyline Open is a typical 5-gun shoot that begins with doubles on Friday and ends with the ,410 on Sunday. The Mankanzana Challenge is a four-gun handicap event with a grand prize of a seven-day hunt in South Africa or $1,000 cash. For the fifth consecutive year, the Mankanzana Challenge was held in conjunction with the Skyline Open.

Clay Tietjen’s HOA score of 384 was high for the Open, John Nichols took Open HAA honors and Debra Meade’s 367 made her Lady HOA Champion. 22 shooters participated. Tony Johnson won the Challenge (20 participants) and chose the cash prize.

Eleven shooters shot doubles. Ethan Call finished with a 98 and was Champion. Class winners were Dan Nichols (AA), Ed Call (A), Jackson Nichols (B), Doug Goodman (C) and Weston Nichols (D).

The 12-gauge was shot on Friday and Saturday. Ed Call shot a 99 and emerged as 12-gauge champion. Class winners were Doug Paddock (A), Tietjen (B), Johnson (C, after winning a shoot-off of 98s with Bob Griffith Sr.), John Quealy (D) and Jackson Nichols (E).

The 20-gauge event was shot on Saturday. Ed Call ran them and was outright champion. Class first places included Tietjen (AA), Doug Paddock (A), Ethan Call (B), Johnson (C) and Dave Pickles (D).

The 28 was shot on Sunday morning. Bob Griffith Jr.’s 97 was good for champion. Dave Cook was A1, Steve Lucas B1, Bob Nichols C1, and George Gleich D1.

The .410-bore shooting took place on Sunday afternoon. Johnson’s 94 made him gun champ. Class winners were Paddock (A), Bob Griffith Jr. (B), Lucas (C) and Quealy (D, after winning a shoot-off of 88s with John Nichols).

The Mankanzana hunt includes four trophy animals (impala, blesbuck, springbuck and warthog). Fran Bussiahn, professional hunter and owner of Mankanzana Safaris, and Theresa Call put this grand prize together for Skyline’s shoot. There were 20 entrants in this event. Final scores were based on their four-gun (HOA) totals plus a class-based handicap in each gun. The results were close with Tony Johnson winning with a total HOA, including handicap, of 399; in hot pursuit and tied at 396 were Dave Cook, Stephen Lucas and Clay Tietjen. Johnson chose the $1,000 option for his prize.

A special 28-gauge Lewis Class event was sponsored by Debra Meade in memory of her loving companion Bill Straub who passed away in 2021. The $150 prize money went to Bob Griffith Jr., Lincoln Nichols and John Nichols ($50 each).

The two-man blind event winners (based on 12-gauge results) were Ethan Call and Bob Griffith Jr. (first) and Bob Nichols and Tony Johnson (second).

Three generations of the Nichols family, from Addison, NY, shot this shoot. Bob, the grandfather and Dan and John, his sons, shot, as did Weston and Lincoln (Dan’s sons) and Jackson (John’s son).

Theresa Call handled office duties (registration, score posting, etc.). Ed and Ethan Call helped keep things humming outside (filling houses, mechanic’s duties, etc). Special thanks to Kalan Knickerbocker for pulling and scoring with help from shooters, Ed and Ethan Call, Hunter Dickerman, Clay Tietjen and Deb Meade. Special kudos go to Hunter Dickerman, who now lives in Florida but drove back to Skyline to help at his former home field and see everyone. His dad Steve served as grill chef all weekend – thank you, sir!

The club was looking great, reflecting a lot of hard work by the entire Call family. As usual, the food was abundant and delicious all weekend and included steaks and lasagna on Saturday night and Skyline’s famous pies. Much thanks to Theresa and Mattea Call for the food.

– Contributed by George Gleich

 

Stockton Classic at Stockton Trap and Skeet Club

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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

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