April 12 dawned with an intermittent shower, but the forecast was for thunderstorms in the afternoon. Not the auspicious­­ start that match director Wendy Smith had hoped for on the first NSSA registered match being held by Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club. The match format allowed the shooters to enter one, two, three or even four guns, and shoot them in any order. Consequently, each squad had a mix of 12-gauge, 20-gauge, 28-gauge, and .410 shooters. The hope was weather on the next day might be better, and some considered that when selecting what gun to shoot.

At the Friday 10:00 a.m. start, the rain had stopped only to start a constant drizzle during the third box. That seemed the pattern for the day. You might shoot one or two rounds relatively dry, but rain always entered before you were through. And it was in one of these drizzles that Charlie Souter shot a perfect 100 using his 20-gauge Model 12. Some noted the 99 hard hits and the one “golden BB,” but they all looked like Xs across the scoresheet.

The lunch provided to all contestants was authentic New Orleans jambalaya, prepared by Bob and Priscilla King, who hail from the Big Easy. The bill of fare was very well received, with small chance of leftovers.

Saturday’s competition was somewhat less rainy, but not completely dry. Again, the competition had shooters shooting all different gauges, so the match final tallies would have to wait until the end of the day. All told, we had 23 shooters shooting 41 guns. Competitors came from as far as Richmond and Fairfax and Gordonsville to shoot.

When the smoke had cleared, gun winners were listed for all except the 28 gauge. Justin Johnson from Richmond and a Liberty University shooter took the 12 gauge with a 97. Charlie Thompson, a UVA skeet shooter, was runner-up with a 96. Charlie Souter won the 20 gauge with the only 100, with Bob King runner-up at 98. Charlie’s 98 in .410 outdistanced everyone, with Bob King runner-up at 90. But Charlie was tied at 94 with Bob in 28 gauge.

In failing light, the shoot-off began with Doubles on station 3. After Bob noted that he had never lost a shoot-off in 28 gauge (this was his first), he stepped up and nailed both birds. Charlie broke the first bird, but his Model 12 pump failed to feed the second shell. It was his first gun malfunction, so he got a second chance, nailing both birds. Bob moved on to station 4 but dropped the high house bird. Charlie broke the first bird, but his pump again failed to feed the second shell. It was his second gun malfunction, so he got a second chance, dropping the low house bird. On Station 5 Bob lets a High House bird slip away. Charlie stepped up, somewhat concerned that he had no more allowable gun malfunctions. The gun worked and he nailed the two birds to claim the 28-gauge championship. With three guns in his win column, Charlie also took the HOA championship.

NSSA note: Congratulations to Rivanna Rifle and Pistol Club on their first registered shoot!

– Contributed by Bob King

After just completing 500 12-gauge targets the day before, five brave souls joined another 20 shooters for a format of 200 Doubles at Fairfax Rod and Gun Club (Manassas, VA) on April 14. Federal taxes were due the next day, so this was a good way to release some frustration before writing our checks to the U.S. Treasury.

There were three rotations, and shooters shot their first 100 Doubles, then took a two-hour break before completing the second 100 Doubles. The weekend weather was perfect for the shooters, with the results reflecting the conditions. Champion was Brian D’Souza (190), runner-up Jim Hickerson (189), and third Peter Bogdon (188). Class champions were Muhamed El-Zoghbi AA1, Nick Gravina A1, Alan Gale B1, John Liberty C1 and Craig Childress D1. Although no one ran a perfect score, we did have one shooter post a 99 during one set of the Doubles.

One of the interesting outcomes of this event was that the Handicap event had only a single winner. The Handicap event was set up so that the following additional targets applied to each class: AA – 4, A – 8, B – 16, C – 28 and D – 38 additional targets. There were 18 shooters participating, and John Liberty had the only 200 (with handicap). A new option that is being tried is called “last man standing,” in which the shooter with the best long run from the front wins. This option is a miss-and-out by target with ties dividing. Peter Bogdon (NY) outlasted the other option participants and was the last man standing.

The same referees who participated in the 500-target shoot the day before – Bub Hitchcock, Bill Lancaster, and Bobby Wilkin – stayed and pulled the Doubles event. We thank them for their dedication in pulling so many targets over the weekend. Lastly, kudos to our club manager, Jamie Martin, for making sure that all the machines and facilities were in the usual perfect condition.

– Contributed by Jeff Bond

For their first shoot, the club hosted a 100-target 12-gauge event on Saturday April 20, which unfortunately, was not a good weather day for shooting. Forty-four hardy souls were faced with a combination of high winds, cold and rain, but in spite of that, Charlie Peacock posted a fabulous “no chip”100 straight for the outright win. Two 99’s were posted by Steve Malcolm, runner-up, and Steve Loveday, third.

Those in attendance enjoyed the great clubhouse and newly renovated kitchen. Many comments were made about how great it was to see Hamilton throwing registered events after such a long period of time. Hats off to the Skeet Committee and volunteers for their hard work and dedication. Welcome back to registered shooting from NSSA!

All shooters are looking forward to returning again, hopefully on a nice, warm, sunny day!

– Contributed by Joseph A. Patko

Each year Fairfax Rod and Gun Club (Manassas, VA) hosts an Open competition to raise funds for the George Mason University Trap and Skeet Shooting Club. As such, the students themselves are the assigned referees for the squads. For any newer student participants, a referee clinic, led by Chief Referee Lane Hartle, was held 10 days before so that all could receive their official NSSA Referee credentials (which are now good for three years) and become more familiar with registered skeet. This year the students from George Mason University were Stephanie Treme (captain, senior), Stephen Halt, Lindsey Davis, Cullin Bowers, Jack Kemp, Josh Wheeler, Gavin LaSala, Grant Breem and Cade O’Kelly. Keep an eye on these names, as it is likely that we will see them again as they progress in their skeet careers in the coming years. Ms. Treme is the only graduating member of the GMU Club.

Saturday’s weather was crisp with clear skies, but windy, making for some very sporty 20-gauge targets for the 39 shooters. Winners included Muhamed El-Zoghbi – champion, Collin Christopherson – runner-up, James Burch – third, Jonathan Honey AA1, Jason Armstrong A1, Lonny Evenson B1, David Honey C1 and Mathew Honey D1.

As the day warmed, 52 shooters tried their skills at 12-gauge with the following results: Jim Hickerson – champion, Fred Wood – runner-up, Jason Armstrong – third,  Muhamed El-Zoghbi A1,  Steve Kling B1, Joe Scott C1, Mark Manns D1 and David Robertson E1.

We would like to recognize two Zone I shooters that traveled to our Club from the colder northern climes – Richard “Bear” Gath from New Hampshire and Danielle Murdock from Connecticut but going to school at the University of Maryland. A good time was had by all.

Sunday’s events were two sets of Doubles. With another morning in the wind, the Doubles One event had the following results: Jason Armstrong – champion, Muhamed El-Zoghbi – runner-up, Mike Wollard – third, Jonathan Honey A1, Michael Moats B1, Matthew Honey D1. Our Doubles Two event had calmer conditions. After the morning’s “practice,” Muhamed El-Zoghbi turned in a very fine 98 for champion, with Jason Armstrong at runner-up and a four-way shoot-off for third that resulted in Lonny Evenson outlasting the others. The other class firsts were Mike Wollard AA1, Mike Ramsey A1, Michael Moats B1 and Paul Hunt D1.

Thanks go to Jamie Martin for maintaining the grounds, preparing the fields, stacking firewood for the pavilion, providing water on the fields, and ensuring that all the machines were running smoothly; Dutch Hillenburg for donating coupons for discounts in the pro shop; and Connie and Van Keys for the warm, delicious food.

– Contributed by Jeff Bond
– Photos by Jeff Bond and Ray Shields