Clay Target Nation

20th Holtz Memorial at Generations Skeet Club

August 30, 2023 By Cara Woodard

Generations Skeet Club (PA) hosted the 20th annual Holtz Memorial Shoot, a 5-gun affair, on June 2-5, 2023. 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.

(L) Chris Kline-410, 28 AND HOA CH, (R) Joe Vescovi – HOA RU

Except for an hour of rain on Saturday afternoon, the weather for the weekend was great. Fifty-five shooters shot at least one gun. Four Maryland shooters joined the festivities — thank you for coming! Top HOA finishers were Chris Kline, champion (395), Joe Vescovi, runner-up (395), and Denny Lehman, third (390). Missy Vescovi was Lady HOA Champion.

Thirty-one participants shot doubles on Friday afternoon. Bryson Fox emerged as Champion after defeating Gary Nace and Joe Vescovi in a shoot-off of 97s. Class firsts went to Mike Wollard (AA), Nace (A), Bill Calvert (B, after a shoot-off of 93s with Michael Moats), Joe Gans V (C), and Bryan Fox (D).

The 28-gauge shooting took place on Saturday morning with 47 shooters participating. Kline was Champion, but not before he won a shoot-off of 99s with five other shooters. Class firsts were Joe Vescovi (AA), Lehman (A), Pat Leyo (B), George Kirik (C) and George Gleich (D).

Shooting continued on Saturday afternoon with the 12-gauge event which involved 53 shooters and a rainstorm during the second flight. There were four 100 straights. Lehman won the shoot-off and was 12-gauge Champion. Kline, Clay Gormish, Bryson Fox, Missy Vescovi, John Davies and James Holtz, respectively, were AA, A, B, C, D, and E class winners.

On Saturday evening a bountiful meal was served including delicious grilled venison hors d’oeuvres prepared by Joe Vescovi, chicken, (grilled by Ryan Holtz) and a large variety of delicious desserts. Following dinner, the Generations Skeet Club’s President’s Award for 2023 was awarded to Pat Leyo for his long-term and outstanding service to the club. The Three-Man Blind event (to be based on Sunday’s .410 scores) was also set up with lively auction bidding for the 14 computer-picked teams after dinner. A total of more than $2,800 was wagered.

The .410 bore was shot on Sunday morning (46 shooters) with beautiful weather prevailing. Kline was Champion and AA1 with a nice 98. Other class firsts went to Wollard (A), Tom Shields (B), Jack Makdad (C), and Dan Amsler (D).

The 20-gauge event took place on Sunday afternoon. Jeff Meidinger roared out of B class, shot the lone 100-straight and was champion — way to go, Jeff! Wollard took AA1 after winning a shoot-off of 99s with Tyler Mroczka. Other class firsts were Joe Vescovi (A), Missy Vescovi (B), Paul Hunt (C) and James Holtz (D).

Ryan Holtz and Mark Strickland handled registration and score keeping/posting; Michael Vescovi was chief referee. Non-shooting referees included Renee Calvert, Paige, Andrea, Elle and Jackie McMullen, Braden Holtz and Alex Farrell. All did a great job, thank you!

Joe McGarvey provided homemade vegetable soup which was gobbled up on Saturday and Sunday. Biscuits and gravy were also available on Sunday. Joe Gans (3 and 5) made delectable sandwiches for lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Renee Calvert’s chocolate chip cookies didn’t last long. As always, Pat Leyo provided filled and regular doughnuts on Saturday and Sunday morning, much to everyone’s delight.

The 3-man blind winners were Chris Kline, Roy Holtz and Dan Amsler, and each shooter received $55. Kline and Lynn Holtz bought the winning team at auction and took home $1,100 to share. Pay-outs went to the four highest-scoring team’s shooters and buyers.

Notable events included: Jeff Meidinger shooting his first 100-straight in 20 years in the 20-gauge; Emily Harshbarger shooting her highest registered score ever (95 in the 20-gauge); Dan Amsler being the “dark horse” in the 3-man team event by shooting an 86 (more than 10 birds above his average) in the .410 and spurring his team to win the event; James Holtz shooting 89 in the 12 and 94 in the 20, good for Junior and Class E first in the former and Junior and Class D first in the latter (Generations’ next wave of skeet shooting youngsters are on their way!).

A notable upcoming event is the Pennsylvania State Skeet Shoot which will be held August 18-20 at beautiful Shenecoy field in McConnellstown, PA. More than 250 shooters and more than $25,000 added money are being anticipated for this event. Please come and join in the fun!

– Contributed by George Gleich

JTH Agency Classic

August 30, 2023 By Cara Woodard

Victor Rod and Gun Club proudly hosted the 2023 JTH Agency Classic, June 9-11. This year’s event was the 34th anniversary of this registered skeet tournament and the 19th 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 $6000 in added money and valuable prizes for this year’s shoot. Shooters traveled from around the regional area to attend this well-respected tournament.

As club members and shoot committee greeted the shooters, the new pre-registration process helped speed the shooters through the registration process. This year’s shoot was expanded from 50 shooters to 60 shooters to meet the increased interest in this shoot.

Mother Nature provided a very pleasant weekend for shooting with no rain, temperatures in the 70’s, and light winds. The smoke from the Canadian fires even abated. The grounds were in great condition with the grass looking more like a golf course than skeet fields, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the grounds crew. We were set for another great skeet tournament.

Friday afternoon started the competition with 46 shooters in the doubles event. Mat Kelley was the lone shooter to run the rack for a 100. Squadmates Dess Ivanov and Don Lewandoski were one target behind Mat. In a short shoot-off, Don prevailed as runner-up, with Dess taking the AA class title. Other class winners were Scott Janowski (A), Zach Jacot (B), Ron Casella (C), and Tom Williams (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 little wind, but not bad for early summer in the Northeast. Fifty-eight shooters took to the fields for Saturday’s competition with the .410 bore event first. Four shooters finished the event with a score of 98. Denny Lehman prevailed in the shoot-off to take the .410 champ title with Clay Tietjen claiming the runner-up spot. Class winners were Steve Wood (AA), Kody Hoth (A), Dale Patterson (B), Mike Kinsella (C), and John Yackiw (D).

The 20-gauge competition commenced on Saturday afternoon. Three shooters posted scores of 99. After a lively shoot-off, John Boone was crowned 20-gauge champ, with Kody Hoth following as runner-up and Rick Ayers taking A1. The remaining class winners were Steve Wood (AA), Ethan Call (B), Ed Cornelius (C), and Dave Pickles (D).

This year, Pete Hamann of Pete’s Stockworks in Bloomfield, New York, generously donated $300 in added money for a special 20-gauge handicapped event for B-C-D class shooters only. Ed Cornelius won this year’s handicapped event, with Owen Cooley and Dave Pickles splitting the 2nd and 3rd place monies. Thank you, Pete, for your generous support of this event and for all that you do for the recreational shooting community.

A special shout-out goes to Gavin Polmanteer. Gavin is new to registered skeet shooting. Gavin posted his first 25 straight in the 20-gauge event. As a result, Gavin has a new highly ventilated hat. Congrats, Gavin!

At the conclusion of Saturday’s shoot-offs, the shooters, family members, guests, 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.

Sunday’s weather continued to be delightful. With great anticipation, the shooters went to the fields to compete in the 28-gauge and the 12-gauge events. First up was the 28-gauge event. Five shooters were able to post 100’s. Mat Kelley prevailed in the shoot-off to take the 28-gauge champ title, with Steve Wood closely behind to take the runner-up spot. Class winners were Jeff Ventry (AA), Denny Lehman (A), Doug Paddock (B), Ed Cornelius (C), and Joan Paddock (D).

Sunday afternoon featured the 12-gauge event. Four shooters crushed all 100 targets. After a very competitive shoot-off, Steve Wood took home the 12-gauge title, with Denny Lehman as runner-up. Class winners were Dess Ivanov (AA), Kody Hoth (A), Ed Cornelius (B), Paul Barnas (C), John Mutchler (D), and Victor Stirpe (E).

Throughout the weekend, Kody Hoth was steady, consistent, and on-target. Kody’s 393×400 was the top HOA score. Kody needed every target, as Steve Wood was only one target behind to become HOA runner-up. HOA class winners were Mathew Kelley (AA), Denny Lehman (A), Colin Smingler (B), and Ed Cornelius (C-D-E combined).

For the eleventh consecutive shoot, the HOA competition featured the added handicapped HOA Challenge. All four-gun shooters were eligible to enter this event. This event is 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. The DIMARCO GROUP donated $2500 in added money for Joe’s Challenge. The event drew great interest from the shooters. The scoreboard was watched closely at the conclusion of each event. When the results were all in, Kody Hoth took home the top prize of $1000, followed in order by Colin Smingler ($750), Peter Bogdon ($500), and Mike Kinsella ($250). Congrats to all winners of this year’s “Joe’s Challenge” handicapped HOA event.

Special thanks go out to our club volunteers for their strong support of this shoot. Congratulations to our admin team of Mark S., Terry P., Andy N., and Keith M. for streamlining the registration process and ensuring that the shoot management process ran flawlessly. Also, thanks to Jim Thompson and 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 https://www.jthagency.com

Thank you to this year’s shooters. We appreciate your continued support of this shoot. We look forward to seeing you at the 2024 JTH Agency Classic!

– Contributed by Wes Bailey

Clinton-Irwin’s Klody Memorial

August 30, 2023 By Cara Woodard

The Clinton-Irwin Rod and Gun Club near Barkeyville, PA hosted the 16th Klody Memorial observation (Klody One-Day) on June 10th. John Klody was a tireless volunteer at this Club during the time that the second field was being built and field two is named in his honor.

The weather was great, in the low 80s with light winds and an overcast (perhaps due to the lingering smoke from the Canadian wildfires?).

Four shooters arrived early and shot doubles on Saturday morning. Brian Steinert was CH and A1with his 96; Brian’s dad Don took B1 with 86.

Fifteen shooters then participated in the main event (20 and 28-ga). Tom Shields took HOA CH honors with a nifty 195 and Carl Biddle’s 191 was good for HOA RU.

The 20-gauge was first. Ernie Avolio’s 99 was good for CH and A1. B, C and D class firsts went to Paul Augustin, Don Steinert and Andrew Hazlett, respectively.

In the 28-gauge event on Saturday afternoon, Shields’ 98 made him CH and A1. Don Steinert, John Avolio and Hazlett, respectively, took B1, C1 and D1.

Many thanks to everyone who helped. Shoot sign-up and score-keeping/posting was handled by Wayne Haines and Casey Vensel. Pullers and scorers included Terry Leake, Greg Lopata, Dave Snerker and Rich Vensel. Casey Vensel ran the kitchen and provided hot dogs, burgers, macaroni salad and browinies for lunch.

Nice club, nice people, good birds, good lunch, Clinton-Irwin would love to see you at their August 4-6 Lopata Classic!

– Contributed by George Gleich

Tom Cutlip Memorial

August 30, 2023 By Cara Woodard

The summer of 2022 saw West Virginia Clays of Charleston lose one of its favorite sons, Thomas Cutlip. Tom had been a long-time member and officer and friend to the skeet shooting community in West Virginia and the surrounding area. He is sorely missed. The weekend of June 3, 2023, the first Tom Cutlip Memorial shoot came to fruition.

West Virginia and the surrounding area is very active in the Scholastic Clay Target Program, and this weekend was the first registered targets for 11 young shooters from Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. Fourteen-year-old Carter Shafer took C1 in the 12-gauge with a 94, D1 in the 20-gauge with 94 and HOA C1. Triple-Sub Tyler Dahse was 12-gauge E1 with a score of 93. Sub-Junior Alexandra McGrew was C1 in the 20-gauge with 90, C2 in the 28-gauge with 89 and won her first shoot-off in .410-bore for D2.

The adults shot well also, with Joe Charles taking 12-gauge gun champ with 99 and 20-gauge gun champ with 97. Bob Estep was 28-gauge gun champ with a fine 95 on his first registered targets. Scott Sparks took the .410-bore with 92. A special thanks to Jill Taylor, shoot chairwoman, and Brenda Horne for the best food on the planet. With any luck, this will be a recurring event in honor of a fine gentleman, Thomas Cutlip.

– Contributed by David Ashworth

Photo Gallery: 2023 Kolar U.S. Open Skeet Championship

July 7, 2023 By hdyer

With 14 participating clubs, the 2023 Kolar U.S. Open left us with no shortage of photos to share with you. You can read full coverage of the event in the August issue of Clay Target Nation, but please enjoy the photos below, sorted by club. If you have photos from the U.S. Open you’d like to share with us, please email them to ctn@nssa-nsca.com and we’ll be happy to add them to this gallery.

Click on a photo to enlarge.