Clay Target Nation

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

Generations Couples Shoot

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The fourth annual Couples Shoot was held at Generations Skeet Club near Patton, PA, on September 16. The weather was great, upper 70s and partly cloudy with just enough wind to keep it interesting (we wouldn’t want any new skeet shooters to think it was too easy).

The Couples Shoot was initiated by Generations to introduce new shooters, especially ladies and younger shooters, to skeet, to have fun shooting while stressing gun safety, to enjoy an early autumn afternoon with a fine group of people and, of course, to eat! It was begun in 2015 with 14 couples participating. This year, 76 shooters – 38 couples – participated. Who knows what might happen next year; there certainly will be a next year for this shoot!

Shooting began at 11 a.m., and all four of the skeet fields were soon involved. Many of the participants were first-time shooters. Certified instructors were present on each field to help these new shooters, and any not-so-new shooters that wanted it. Generations also provided shotguns, shells and eye and ear protection to those who needed them. Pullers and scorers included Kelsey Krug and Paige McMullen; both young ladies regularly help run the Wednesday night skeet league here and do a great job. They also joined in on the shooting fun and did well!

Squads of 4, 6 and/or 8 people participated. All NSSA safety rules were strictly enforced, but some of the other rules were slightly bent at times to help new shooters. For example, some new shooters shot four singles instead of two singles and a double at times, and congratulating a new shooter each time they smoked a bird was encouraged.

At approximately 4 p.m., after everyone had shot at 50 birds (two rounds), shoot-offs began. Liberal, but top secret, handicaps were applied, which allowed all the couples to participate in doubles at 3, 4 and 5. The shoot-offs were also handicapped with experienced shooters receiving no targets and rookies getting four. Following the first round of shoot-offs, the remaining eight pairs of shooters proceeded to field 2 for the final shoot-off. A large crowd of spectators watched and cheered as the winners were decided. Cindy and Jeff Harding emerged as the Couples Shoot champions for 2018 and were awarded the custom tiara bedecked with spent shotgun shells and a blue ribbon. Shoot runners-up were Shane and Kate Crawford, and third place went to Michael Vescovi and Kiersten Kruise. During the awards ceremony, beautiful engraved wine glasses to commemorate the event were presented to all three couples. Just for the record, the champs and runners-up are experienced sporting clays shooters but first-time skeet shooters. They commented on how much they enjoyed the game and the camaraderie, and I would bet they become regular skeet shooters, as they met some very good friends.

After the shooting was done, people migrated to “The Barn,” about 200 yards from the skeet clubhouse, for a fine picnic-style dinner. After the meal, awards were presented to the Couples Shoot winners, and winners of the recently finished Wednesday night league were recognized.

Many thanks to the Generations Skeet Family for hosting a great event!

– Contributed by George Gleich

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Nebraska State Sporting Clays Shoot

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Pheasant Bonanza Hunt Club & Kennel hosted the2018 Nebraska NSCA State Shoot on August 2-5. The four-day event had overall pleasant weather, and the rolling Loess Hills landscape at Pheasant Bonanza was stunning, as usual.

A total of 168 shooters competed in the tournament throughout the four days. The main event, which had 113 competitors shooting, was held on-site in a new location with rolling hills. The preliminary and small-bore events were held on Pheasant Bonanza’s east and west main sporting clays courses. All of the weekend’s meals were served in Nebraska’s only Orvis- endorsed wingshooting lodge.

A warm and sunny Thursday morning kicked off the state shoot with the two-day Lincoln Traps Special preliminary event. Pat Williams (M) took home the HOA title, knocking out 97/100 targets. Class winners included Craig Manson (AA) with a score of 92; Cole Collier (A), also scoring a 92; Josiah Martin (B), scoring 88; Terry Kriz (C) with an 89; and Samuel Philson (D) with a score of 88.

Saturday morning brought a hint of undesired rain for a few short hours, while shooters competed in the two-day Pheasant Bonanza Cup preliminary event. The HOA Champion was Austin Svoboda (M), crushing 97/100 targets. Class winners included Brian Loofe (AA), shooting an 86; John McFarling (A), scoring an 82; Tim O’Connor (B) with an 84; Michael Stutzman (C), shooting 85 targets; Michael Svoboda (D), shooting 76; and Kyle Redinbaugh winning the E class gold with a score of 75.

The small-bore events could be scored any of the four days during the competition. In the .410 bore event, the HOA championship went to Steve Shepherd (M), hitting a near-perfect score of 49/50. Tanner Hackel (M) won the HOA 28 gauge, shooting a 48/50, and Steve Shepherd (M) took home the HOA gold in the 20 gauge, also shooting a 48.

The 5-Stand HOA Champion was Cody Escritt (M), shooting a 48/50. The True Pair HOA Champion was Steve Walters (M), scoring a 46/50. Also scoring a 46 was Terry Kriz (C), winning HOA in the Pump Gun event, and he also took home the Side-by-Side HOA with a 47. The Super Sporting HOA went to Austin Svoboda, shooting an impressive perfect score of 50/50.

As with the small bore, shooters had the option of shooting the main event any of the four days of the competition, which made this year unique.

Sharpshooter Robin Irvine took home the HOA in the main event with a score of 142/150. Class winners were Bred Brodersen (AA), scoring 131; Billy Miller (A), scoring 135; Jacob Carpenter (B), scoring 131; Jake Whipple (C), scoring 134; Hank McVeigh (D,) scoring 124; and Augustus Gomez (E), with a score of 112.

Connealy Insurance and Farms donated two guns to the winners of the Sub-Junior and Junior categories in the main event. Dalton Dearmont scored a 118 to win the Sub-Junior gold and has to make room in his gun safe for a new gun. Riley Ross shot an impressive 140 to win the Junior gold and a new gun as well.

Saturday night was an entertaining evening spent at Roosters restaurant in the Pheasant Bonanza lodge. A delectable dinner was served by Chef Joey. Following the dinner, the shooters and event staff enjoyed live entertainment while they socialized around the fire pit under the beautiful, starry sky. The combination of Saturday evening’s ambiance and the successful days of shooting made the State Shoot one for the record books.

– Contributed by Audra Leichleiter

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World Record Established for 500-Target 28 Gauge

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Two shoots were scheduled for the Labor Day weekend at Piedmont Sportsman Club (Orange, VA) – the Bill Twyman Open, a 500-target marathon of 28-gauge targets, and the Labor Day Open, with all guns and Doubles. The two shoots were being run in parallel. Three brave souls were willing to attempt to establish the first new World Record in the 500-target 28-gauge event. (See Clay Target Nation, February 2017, bit.ly/CTN0217-10).

Having shot the entire Labor Day Open on one day, Fred Wood and Jason Armstrong were joined by Jeff Bond on Saturday morning to begin the 28-gauge marathon of 300 targets on Saturday and the final 200 on Sunday. With a forecast for the weekend indicating nothing but hot and humid, it was going to be a challenge.

So at 0900 on Saturday morning, the marathon began, with Jeff Bond leading, followed by Jason Armstrong and Fred Wood as tailgunner. The three easily finished each flight in less than an hour, and after the first 100 targets, Jeff Bond led by three targets. After some water and cooling off, the three approached the field again for next set of 100 targets, but by now the sun had burned off the morning dew and the temperature was rising, the humidity was high and the sweat never evaporated. The next 200 targets proved difficult for all, but Fred Wood stayed focused and was able to post one round of 99. By the end of the day and the first 300 targets, Fred Wood was in the lead by two targets.

Piedmont hosted a fine dinner Saturday evening and even better camaraderie, as everyone told stories of prior skeet events, remembered those shooters who are no longer with us and shared their plans for future activities.

All three again met up for the last 200 targets on Sunday with a forecast of even more of the same hot and humid conditions. The fourth 100 targets started with all three men posting a perfect first round of 25; as it turned out, that was the only time that all three did so. When the sun came out in full force and the dew steamed off the grass, the glasses would fog up – usually just before a target was called for. By the end of the 400th target, Fred and Jeff were again tied, after Jeff posted a 99 to match Fred’s 99 from the day before.

The three took to the field to shoot their last set of 100 28-gauge targets. But with the heat and humidity and mental pressure all rising, Jeff lost the first bird out. As the rounds progressed, Fred would lead and then Jeff would lead and then they would be tied again. As the squad battled around the field, the crowd of spectators began to grow and focused their attention on Fred and Jeff, but referee Ronnie Dodson maintained his cool composure the entire time. Spectators gathered and the crowd grew, wondering which of the three men would establish a World Record. Finally, scores were tallied and double-checked, it turned out that Fred Wood and Jeff Bond together set the World Record and would be recognized as co-holders, having tied with a score of 484X500.

But only one could be declared champion of the Bill Twyman Open, and after a very long and grueling set of doubles, Jeff Bond was declared champ, Fred Wood was runner-up and Jason Armstrong third (with a 467 x 500).

– Contributed by Ronald Dodson

World Warm-up Shoot at Grand Prairie

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Dennis Parkison
Dennis Parkison

Grand Prairie Gun Club upheld a stellar reputation by hosting the 2018 World Warm-up skeet tournament September 14-16.

The threat of bad weather was not a deterrent as 61 shooters began the competition on Friday with the Doubles event. Jason Foshea, Champion, finished with the only 100, and Shane Quinn was runner-up with 99. Lauren Burge brought in Lady Champion and third overall with a 97. For those who did not need to return at the end of the day for shoot-offs, savory hors d’oeuvres were served by the volunteer kitchen staff.

Saturday began with 74 contestants in the 12 gauge and beautiful skeet weather on the horizon. Exceptional scores were turned in by all classes, but there was a single 100 shot by Shane Quinn, champion. Candidates for runner-up and third came from a pool of eight 99s. Tom Deaton, runner-up and Retired Military Champion, and Andrew Benson, third and Junior Champion, took the remaining top spots. Lady Champion was Jo Ellen Collin, and Charlie Abendroth finished as Lady runner-up. Saturday’s competition was concluded with the 20 gauge. Again, there was a lone 100 in the event. Jason Foshea repeated as Champion and Military Veteran Champion, Shane Quinn kept a place at the top with runner-up, and Paul Newman was third. AAA first through third were Richard Funk, Andrew Benson and Greg Van Belois, respectively. Jo Ellen Collin made another appearance as Lady Champion with a 98, and Lauren Burge was runner-up with a 96.

Lauren Burge
Lauren Burge

A light rain fell during the last rotation but managed to clear by the time shoot-offs started. Once the last shot was fired, everyone retired to the clubhouse for grilled steak and all the trimmings.

Sunday opened with the 28 gauge and some outstanding scores: Paul Newman, Richard Funk, Andrew Benson and Dennis Parkison each shot a 100 and met at the end of day to determine the winner. Andrew Benson was the first to be excused with a miss and took AAA1. Paul Newman’s miss gave him third place, leaving Parkison and Funk to battle for champ. Funk had a miss on the next station, giving Parkison gun champ with his first-ever 100 straight in any gauge. There is every indication that Dennis will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.

When it was time for the .410, the sunny weather disappeared, the wind rose and the rains fell. The weather change was not a challenge for Matt Fallon; a score of 99 and three clean stations in a shoot-off made him Champion. Adam Roberts’s 99 and a strong presence in the shoot-off placed him as the runner-up, and Mike Gerschick, also with a 99, placed third. On the AAA podium were Van Lewis, Lauren Burge (Lady Champion) and Greg VanBelois. Merril Stanfield was Lady runner-up and Jo Ellen Collin Lady third.

Richard Funk
Richard Funk

HOA Champion with a 397 was Richard Funk, followed by Andrew Benson at runner-up and Junior Champion and Van Lewis at third. Mike Gershick earned AAA1 and Paul Newman AA1. Lady Champion was Lauren Burge with a 386 and Jo Ellen Collin runner-up with a 384.

This event could not have taken place without the extraordinary membership of the club. GPGC is fortunate to consist of people that generously give of their time and talents to ensure this shoot is produced. A big thank you is extended to the many volunteers that loaded houses, cleaned fields, ran the kitchen and manned the grill. Thank you also to the team of Mike Skidmore and Jim Speer who made registration and record-keeping seamless. Finally, the Texas referee staff, headed by Tamme Cervenka, lent their usual expertise the tournament and deserves our gratitude.

It you have never been to a Grand Prairie shoot, consider putting us on your 2019 competition schedule. The next registered event will be the Penwell in April, and it would be an excellent opportunity to experience great shooting and Texas hospitality.

– Contributed by Tracy Ragle

Herman Cordray Youth Benefit Shoot

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The annual Herman Cordray Youth Benefit Shoot took place at Stockton (CA) Trap and Skeet on June 23, 2018. This is an NSCA registered event that is held in memory of Herman Cordray, a sporting clays shooter who passed away in 2011. Organizers of this event include family members, friends and fellow sporting clays shooters.

This event is a fundraiser for the youth shooting clubs in the area. The young shooters come early and help set up for the shoot; they keep score, run errands, clean up and some participate in the event at a discounted price. Herman Cordray was an organ donor, and shooters who are donors enter the event at a discounted price as well. Lunch is included in the registration fee, and the club offers a fun raffle during lunch time. This year the raffle consisted of donated products of the agricultural San Joaquin Valley, including wine from various wineries located in Lodi-Stockton, California area, honey, pickled peppers, olive oil, homemade fruit pies and almonds. Proceeds of the raffle go to the youth clubs who help with the event.

On average, 30 to 40 shooters attend this annual event, and more are always welcome. This year, through generous sponsorships and donations, the shoot provided $3,800 to two youth clubs who helped with the shoot, NorCal Longshots and Coon Creek Youth Sporting Foundation. Under the direction of their coaches, the event was a success. The aim of the event is to keep the foundation of sporting clays solid to ensure the future of this sport, and to date, it has donated close to $36,000.

First-place winners Masters through E class and High Over All first and second-place winners are awarded. Awards are presented in handmade camouflage bags perfect for holding shell casings and other items. First-place winners have their names engraved on a handmade oak award board that is housed at the shooting club.

You can learn more about the shoot and make your plans to attend in 2019 at www.hermancordrayshoot.com.

– Contributed by Tam Cordray

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