Clay Target Nation

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

Ken Barnes Open

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HOA Winner Dan Lewis gets the big beer bottle. RU – Dan Jones, 3rd – Nick Ballentine

There was another great ending to a shoot that was first started back in the early 1980s at the Kern County Gun Club in Bakersfield, California. Perfect targets and a perfect background always make for good scores, and this year was no different. A near-perfect 99 won the .410 bore, and 100s were needed in all the other guns.

The highlight of the shoot was 14-year-old Cooper Gerecke breaking his first 100 straight in 12 gauge and going on to win the gun championship. Talk about excited! All-American shooters Dan Lewis and Dan Jones took the HOA championship and runner-up. 

Over $20,000 was paid out this year, with some gunners getting over $2,000. This is due to the fact that there is big money given for gun and HOA champs, plus guaranteed money given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places for every class in every gun, over and above the regular class money entry fee payback. It really works and makes this event one of the top money shoots across the nation. 

We were visited by NSSA president John Haugh, who participated and donated some of his winnings to the 2019 Ken Barnes Open. Our thanks to John.  

We would love to see more of you next year, so put this event on your bucket list.

– Contributed by Ken Barnes

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Durosko and Holman Take Honors at Snow Memorial

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Mike Durosko – 20GA and HOA Champ with Kathleen, Dale and Keith Snow (Click photo to enlarge it.)

The 9th annual Clayton Snow Memorial was held at Meadville Sportsman’s Club in Meadville, Penn., on May 20. Clayton Snow was a long-time member and supporter of Meadville Sportsman’s and was especially interested in encouraging young people to learn to shoot. The Snow family sponsored this shoot and awarded money and locally produced maple syrup to the gun and overall champs.

The weather was variable. Cool, rainy and windy in the morning, partly sunny and breezy in the afternoon and heavy rain for shoot-offs. Twenty shooters participated in this 200-bird, 20- and 28-gauge shoot. The high total score of the day (195) was turned in by Mike Durosko, who had a 99 in the 20 and a 96 in the 28; Dale Snow was HOA runner-up with his 193.

The shoot began with the 20-gauge event in the morning in the rain. Durosko shot a 99 and was gun champ. Class champions included Ernie Avolio (AA); Mike Zavasky (A), after a shoot-off of 98s with Dale Snow; Josh Crofutt (B), after a shoot-off of 98s with Mark Johnson; Mike Wojtecki (C); and Greg Schweitzer (D).

Scott Holman – 28GA Champ with Kathleen, Dale and Keith Snow (Click photo to enlarge it.)

Samuel Marks handled registration and score posting. Samuel, his dad Sam, Milt Lang and Keith Snow pulled and scored. The Cooking Caterers provided the delicious lunch. 

Extra special thanks go to the Snow family for sponsoring and participating in this shoot. Clayton’s widow, Kathleen, and two of his sons (Dale and his wife Janet, and Keith) attended the shoot. Calvin Doctor, the Snows’ grandson, made the maple syrup.

– Contributed by George Gleich

 

 

 

Leyo and Grossett Winners at Blackbird Open

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Scott Grossett wins 12GA Champ and earns his first 100 Straight

The Blackbird Open was held at Generations Skeet Club near Patton, Penn., on May 6. Seventeen shooters participated in the 20-gauge event in the morning, and 15 shot the 12-gauge in the afternoon. Pat Leyo posted a 198, the high total score for the day. It was cool, overcast and rainy all day long, but not windy. (Some folks think it is always windy at Generations – not true!)

Leyo won the 20-gauge event with a nice 99. Class winners included Tim Vescovi (AA-97), Tom Shields (A-97), George Gleich (B-96), Bryan Long (C-91) and Joe McGarvey (D-86).

Scott Grossett ran them in the 12 gauge and was a bit damp, but outright champion. Class firsts went to Tim Vescovi (98), Leyo (99, with a shoot-off with Joe Vescovi), Mark Postlewait (95, with a nice 5-station shoot-off with Shields), McGarvey (95) and Long (92), AA, A, B, C and E, respectively.

It was a day of firsts: Scott Grossett shot his first ever registered 100 straight, Tim Vescovi ran his first registered 25 and 50 straights and was AA-1 in both guns in his first registered shoot, and Vance McLaughlin booked his first registered 25 straight. Scott’s and Vance’s hats were vented, but Tim left early, so his hat will be addressed later.

Thanks to Katie Eberhart for running the desk and Michael Vescovi for serving as chief referee. Young, non-shooting referees included Adam Bobak and Jake Beebe – good job! Thanks also to Pat Leyo for bringing many delicious doughnuts and Scott Grossett for a steaming pot of homemade pheasant chili; perhaps the way to win the shoot is to bring food?

– Contributed by George Gleich

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Photo Gallery: NSSA Krieghoff Masters

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The NSSA Krieghoff Masters, held at Forest City Gun Club in historic Savannah, Georgia on May 3 – 6, had a great turn out with fantastic weather in this beautiful city. Enjoy this collection of photos showing many of the event’s participants.

Photos by Thaddius Bedford, Liquid Image
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Photo Gallery: NSCA Western Regional Championship

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Quail Point Hunt Club played host to the Western Regional April 25 – 29. Quail Point is located in Zamora, California. 300 competitors made their way out to sunny Northern California to take in the breath-taking landscape and break targets in competition. This beautiful facility hosted NSCA’s Western Regional Sporting Clays Championship in 2015 as well. View some of the action captured in the photos below.

Photos by Thaddius Bedford, Liquid Image
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