Clay Target Nation

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

PSA Redlands Club Championship – The “Little” Big Shoot of SoCal

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In the movie Men in Black, Will Smith’s character, Agent J, was issued a minuscule handgun called the Noisy Cricket, an under-powered pop gun at first glance. When J finally pulled the trigger on it, the recoil threw him across the room, launching a powerful energy orb. Similarly, with just three skeet fields in play, the Redlands events might initially appear light in stature, until you pull the trigger. With past winners that include three World Champions, as well as numerous AAA and AA competitors, the tournament has plenty of horsepower as a premier Southern California shoot. And so the fifth annual Redlands Club Championship was contested on Saturday, July 1.

Pre-tournament clinics have become a tradition for the Club Championship. This year, Bill Burke of Northern California was welcomed by SoCal shooters looking to enhance their shoot-off doubles skills. Twelve attended the two-hour clinics for Sub-Juniors, Rookies, Veterans and everything in between.

The tournament is a one-day, two-gun affair for 20 and 12 gauges. A full-plus cache of 47 shooters enjoyed great targets in sunny and warm conditions and little to no wind. The nearly all-female staff of referees were in top form with their eyes on the targets. Great releases were ensured by the use of Briley wands, and high scores were expected. The tournament commenced with the yellow shell promptly at 8:30 a.m.

For some, the excellent grub is the reason for joining Redlands events. The now-famous cuisine includes “Chili” Rob McCormick’s secret recipe, island grilled chicken, exotic Asian skewers, and all the sides.

By late morning, the 20-gauge shoot-offs were posted. Remarkably, there was no need to shoot off for champion. Eric Kirk managed the only perfect score to take the gun title outright. But a gaggle of 99s followed by other high-90s scores had some ties to break. Equally remarkable, there were no hundies in the 12 gauge during the afternoon. Five 99s would mean a good shoot-off for the podium as well as some assorted classes.

Shoot-offs followed the main events. Two titles, the 20-gauge and HOA Champion, both by Eric Kirk, had already been determined. Eric’s 199 x 200 made him the 2017 Club Champion. A one-of-a-kind champion’s jacket will be made for him, courtesy of our new title sponsor, Pacific Sporting Arms, and he will be recognized in the clubhouse on the champions’ plaque.  Concurrent tie-breakers went on for a while, none more entertaining than the 12-gauge championship. It started with five competitors, Baker dropping off first, then Buoni, then Marble six stations later. Lyman and Kirk were still going when one box was complete. After another half-box, John Lyman emerged with the gun title.

After five years of this prestigious event, the champions’ plaque is now full, with Eric Kirk completing the first perpetual trophy. Previous names on it are Boscovich, Thomas, Bender and Warren. A new plaque will be created next year to run through 2022.

Thanks to our sponsors’ generosity, the championship was a rich event with prizes that included the champion’s jacket, 17 flats of 20-gauge ammunition, leather pouches, a voice release system and eye-care gear. In addition to Pacific Sporting Arms, sponsors were Rob McCormick, Dennis James, Tina Stephens, Chris Baker, Ron Schaefer, Keith Phelps, Hal Stewart, Brian Johnson, Jay and Mary Fitzgerald, Frank and Lori Buoni, Lou Riddle, Dr. Bill Bell, Clay Delay Autopuller, Kern County Gun Club, and Ian and Allison Rangel of Redlands Shooting Park.

With a tradition of camaraderie and friendship enjoyed under ancient elm trees, Redlands enjoys great weather year-round. Located halfway between Los Angeles and Palm Springs, the club is famous for its skeet shoots, high-caliber trap facilities, and an enjoyable sporting clays course. It has great RV hookups that include all utilities, and a small town just down the road. Most importantly, the staff will make you feel welcome and greet you with a smile. Make it a point to stop by and shoot with us.

– Contributed by Chris Baker

 

Redlands Club Championship Scores
Place 20 Gauge Score   Place 12 Gauge Score   Place HOA Score
CH Eric Kirk 100 CH John Lyman 99 CH Eric Kirk 199
RU Bill Burk 99 RU Eric Kirk 99 RU Dominic Buoni 198
RU3 Dominic Buoni 99 RU3 Bill Marble 99 RU3 John Lyman 196
AA Chris Baker 97 AA Dominic Buoni 99 AA Bill Burke 196
A Tracy Edward 99 A Lou Riddle 97 A Bill Borrelli 193
B JR Fernandez 98 B Bill Borrelli 98 B JR Fernandez 193
C Neil Vann 96 C Roman Warren 97 C Roman Warren 192
D Isaac Smith 90 D Bill Kelly 95 D Isaac Smith 182
LY Kathryn Friesen 80 LY Kathryn Friesen 85 LY Kathyrn Friesen 165
SJR Joe Fry 96 JR Isaac Smith 92 JR Joe Fry 188

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The North Star Open at Minneapolis Gun Club

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The North Star Open Skeet Shoot—hosted by the Minneapolis Gun Club in Prior Lake, Minnesota on July 7-9—is putting skeet back on the map in the Midwest. Everything was first class, and the buzz is going around about how much all attendees enjoyed the shooting as well as the camaraderie and fabulous food.

Brian Hendrickson and Jerry Ryan

Friday was kicked off with Doubles as Nick Boerboon bested the field with the lone 100, followed by Jerry Ryan for runner-up, and Keith Brace third after shooting off with 99s. Following shoot-offs, everyone in attendance enjoyed a complimentary open bar and hors d’oeuvres. The field regrouped Saturday morning for the 12 gauge, resulting in 100s by Larry Hicks of Kansas, Jeff Korhonen of Minnesota, Kurt Lehman of Iowa, and Nick Boerboon of Pennsylvania. After the dust settled, Boerboon claimed first, Lehman second, and Korhonen third. The 20 gauge was also battled for that afternoon with 100s by Larry Hicks and Ryan Smithart of Iowa. Hicks took top honors followed by Smithart for second, and Nick Boerboon claimed third after shooting off with 99s.

Saturday evening is where the true story is set, as nearly 85 pounds of prime rib was cooked from one in the afternoon until about five in the evening. Steve Collier, Steve Boerboon and Bob Chamberland of Minnesota headed up the cooking operation and were assisted by Mark Cameron, Sam Radford, and Jay Lansing, all of whom volunteered their time for what proved to be the best meal ever served at a shoot. Everything was five stars, from the drinks to the main course and the dessert. All was available to everyone in attendance—competitor or not—as the Minnesota boys, consisting of Don Tesch, Tim Olson, Gene Helsene, Steve Boerboon, Mike Quigley, Brian Hendrickson, Jerry Ryan, Jeff Schneider, Tony Lowe, Leon Rother, Jim McLeod, Rick Volz and Ron McDaniels, donated everything with the goal of putting the North Star Open back on the list of must-attend shoots. The evening was shaping up to be memorable as the crowed geared up for the .410 Calcutta.

Larry Hicks

Sunday morning’s 28-gauge event resulted in two 100s, Mike Todsen of Iowa and Nick Boerboon. Boerboon ended up claiming top honors while Todsen finished second.  Third was taken by Jeff Korhonen after shooting off with six other 98s.

The .410 proved to yet again to be the deciding factor for the illustrious HOA title. Ryan Smithart and Nick Boerboon posted two 99s. After a shoot-off by old college teammates, Boerboon ended up besting Smithart for the .410 title. Third was captured by Keith Brace. As the shoot-offs went on, everyone kept their eyes on the board to see who was in the running for HOA. The Krieghoff sweep of the HOA podium included Nick Boerboon finishing with a 398 for first, Ryan Smithart with a 395 for second, and Larry Hicks taking third with a 394. HAA top spots where claimed by some familiar faces and Krieghoffs, as Boerboon came in first with a 498, Keith Brace of Iowa took second with a 491 and Larry Hicks claimed third with a 483.

After all the scores were added up and competitors shook hands, people reflected on what a weekend it was. One of the best shoots of the summer is sure to attract more competitors in the coming years. From the well-trained staff, to the setting of targets that were on a line to the stake, the Minneapolis Gun Club has accomplished its goal of making this shoot one to remember. Don’t miss out next year, as the same crew will be on post ready to make an enjoyable weekend for all.

– Contributed by Nick Boerboon | Photos by Lauren Nicolai

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Kline Dominates Patriot 200 at Tarentum

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Tarentum District Sportsmen’s Club near Sarver, Pennsylvania, held its Patriot 200 on July 4, 2017. Twenty-two shooters participated in the 12-gauge event in the morning and sixteen in Doubles in the afternoon.

The weather was nice, mostly sunny and in the upper 70s. This was the first Fourth of July shoot from the brand-new, beautiful clubhouse. 

Chris Kline ran them in the 12-gauge in the morning and won the big-gun championship outright. Class firsts in the 12 went to Bob Rairigh (AA), Paul Augustin (A), Dan Rogowski (B), Don Watt (C), Jared Voris (D), and Nick Sisley (E).

Lunch was excellent and included burgers and chicken on the grill, cowboy beans, and several summery sides. Several desserts were also provided, and the cold keg of 1919 root beer was very popular, especially over vanilla ice cream in a glass – “brown cows” to the older contingent!

Kline was also doubles gun champ with his 98 in the afternoon. Augustin, Vollmer, Richard (“Frenchy”) LaRosa, Tom Sutherland, and Greg Grove took firsts in AA, A, B, C and D classes, respectively.

Don Watt shot his first registered doubles ever and hit 85 of them. Carl Borntrager, who hadn’t shot registered targets for many years, also participated. Bob Cassidy started a little slowly in the 12 gauge but hit his stride in the last two boxes.

Kudos to Bill Straub and Deb Meade for shoot management, to Dan Sanko for work on the fields and to Rich LaRosa, who was a non-shooting volunteer referee. Chris Kline, who has made winning this shoot a habit, gets kudos for the high total of the day, 198. Chris was also 12 gauge and Doubles champ in 2014 and 2015, although he did stub his toe a bit in 2016, only managing AA1 in each event.

– Contributed by George Gleich

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Michelson Open at St. Joe Valley Conservation Club

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The 3rd Annual Harry Michelson Open was held July 21-23 at St. Joe Valley Conservation Club just north of Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Originally named the Pickle Open, falling on the same weekend as St. Joe’s celebrated Pickle Festival recognizing the city’s Sechler’s Pickles, the name of the shoot was changed to honor long-time referee and club member Harry Michelson. Though he no longer referees, he does attend every shoot at St. Joe Valley and volunteers his help, along with his “sidekick” Ish (a.k.a. his wife) driving up and down the line in a golf cart retrieving all the score sheets and delivering them to registration.

Friday was a little breezy for the Doubles event, but Fred “Boom-Boom” Tschantz still managed to break ‘em all for the lone 100 to win the championship. The rain came after all the shoot-offs were completed, so the timing was good! Saturday’s weather was nicer, but considerably warmer. Two 100s were posted in the 12-gauge event and five in the 20 gauge. After the smoke cleared from the shoot-offs, Larry Israel was the 12-gauge champion and Jack Grehan the 20-gauge champ.

Sunday, as one would expect since we were shooting the baby bore, was breezy once again. Three managed perfect scores in the 28-gauge event, with Dennis Jameson the victor. A number of shooters were in the hunt for the High Over-All. Though there were no 100s in the .410, Bruce Christian eked out a 99 to capture the HOA Championship. He shot off against Brent Edwards for the .410 Championship, and also won that.

The shoot was near capacity with 69 shooters (70 is full) and follows a format similar to the Poco Loco (the 400-target, .410 shoot in June) with two flights in the morning and two after lunch. Harry and Ish Michelson not only treated everyone to lunch, but also provided $4,500 in added money. So, untold thanks and appreciation go to Harry and Ish, and also to all referees and volunteers. St. Joe is an all-volunteer club; if you haven’t been to a shoot at St. Joe Valley, you should find your way there next year!

– Contributed by Trish Magyar

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Michelson Open Shooters

 

 

 

Boyd Memorial Cancer Shoot

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Held in July in Cooperstown, New York, in conjunction with the Evans Open Cancer Shoot, the Boyd Memorial Cancer Shoot once again exceeded the previous year’s event in fundraising. A donation of over $7,000, which is $1,000 more than in 2016, will be made to Relay for Life to help find a cure for cancer. Glenn Stafford was the High-Over-All winner.

This event was started by the desire of one registered skeet shooter, in whose memory the event is named, to bring back registered shoots to Cooperstown. The event is in its fifth year of growth, thanks to many people critical to its success. The foundation of this event started with the Cooperstown Sportsmen’s Association offering to host the fundraiser and donating all the targets for two days of shooting. Second is the shoot committee under the leadership of chair Joyce Boyd, who keeps alive the spirit of her late husband, Spike Boyd, whose inspiration it was to have a home registered shoot. Our skeet and trap shooting community generously gave donations and recruited sponsors for targets broken. Many individuals and surrounding businesses also made significant contributions.

Last but not least, the National Skeet Shooting Association has provided three free memberships each year to boost participation by registered shooters. Two of our club members who received these memberships, Jeff Navratil and Rick DeBar, shot their first 25 straights in a registered shoot at this year’s event. Our club members who received these membership in the past have made it a point to make their annual renewals.

The New York State Skeet Association has also been very generous by giving free advertising in the state annual shoot calendar publication. This has drawn shooters from a wide area within the state of New York. Thanks to both organizations for their support.

By no means will the success of this year’s shoot end our fight against cancer. We all have much to do.

– Contributed by Ted Kantorowski

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