Spring in Covington, Georgia, is typically associated with cherry blossoms for the unknowing, but for those who know what’s important, it’s finally spring, time to break out of hibernation and head toward Atlanta for the Ladies Charity Skeet Classic. Ask any of the ladies who attend annually, and they’ll tell you the best part is seeing friends, especially those only seen once or twice a year, and adding new friends to their tribe. It’s the season opener for most ladies, so there’s a particular optimism in the air, even in these weird times of lingering COVID, ammo uncertainty, reloading components scavenger hunting, and soaring fuel prices. Much as one would love for shooting to be the biggest thing about the weekend, it has a lot of competition to be front and center. We love our skeet family – sisters and friends in our game. We are passionate about our mission – raising money and promoting skeet among the ladies. We embrace our charity – Athens (GA) Area Habitat for Humanity and their goals. We relish celebrating each other’s success. Thirty-nine ladies from 12 states joined us this year, with nine first-time attendees and five new SCTP ladies. Georgia was the most well-represented with 12 attendees, North Carolina had six; five from Florida; four from Virginia; three from Tennessee; two each from Mississippi and West Virginia; and one each from Connecticut, Montana, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Our Junior ladies were well represented but outnumbered by the more senior ladies.

Friday morning’s Ladies Novice Class, sponsored by Louise Terry and “First Shots” by the National Sports Shooting Foundation, which provided ammunition and goodies, has always been filled with excitement. Ladies with zero to minimal experience with a shotgun are the typical attendees; however, some repeat ladies love the outing. There was even a “two-fer,” as one attendee, Krystal Moody, was seven months pregnant. Her daughter was our youngest attendee to date. Fourteen ladies attended, under the fabulous coaching from Doug Thompson, Corrie Cloninger, Jason Cloninger, Mark Hall, Austin Shepherd and Doug Trautman. It’s great fun watching these ladies be successful on the field. They truly embrace the mantra “Breakin’ Clays Makes My Day”!

The novice ladies were barely off the field before ugly weather rolled in, allowing them to enjoy lunch, sponsored by Cross Creek Skeet Association, a bit early. A&H Catering, operated by Amber Schwarz and Hannah Moody, once again provided deliciousness for the ladies to re-hash their glory on the field.

As the tournament ladies rolled in, delivered original designer baskets, raffle table treasures and unique auction items, the weather lingered, with just enough lightning to keep the ladies off the field. Daylight Saving Time had already kicked in, which allowed us to delay and still get doubles completed as planned. Twenty-seven ladies entered the John Haugh Doubles Event. Two 98s were posted by Marina Pakis (TN) and Susan Huszai (OH), so they took to the shoot-off field where Pakis quickly overtook Huszai for champion and runner-up, respectively. Third was clean for Meredith Tunick-Kling (VA) with 97. Lynn Cogdill (MT) took A over Sydney Pittman (GA); Deanna Culpepper (GA) took B; Melissa Petitjean (GA) took C; Marie Trilli (PA) took D over Faith Henderson (GA).

As Friday evening arrived, it was time to put away the shotguns and shift gears to our first PJ Party Game Night sponsored by Daniel Defense, Todd Bender, Lori and Barry Sheffield, and Mark Thompson. A light dinner was served to all attendees as we got our first glance at the outfits the ladies were modeling! Once dinner was completed, we moved onto the highlight of the evening – game night. Melissa Petitjean led our evening and did an amazing job. She had several perfect games in her box of tricks. The games were quick and fun and quite original.  The evening was a great way for the newer ladies and our seasoned attendees to mix. We paraded our PJ contenders for votes, with Mary Beverly Gamble, Winnie Tucker and Linda Tucker the winners with matching jammies, slippers and hair accessories. Serious runner-up consideration was given to Deanna Culpepper and Melissa Petitjean. Our final act of the evening was to crown a Queen for the weekend – Hannah Goddard was crowned, pearlized and sashed in addition to getting coached in the proper way to wave (higher than the pearls and lower than the tiara). The evening was filled with much fun and laughter for participants and cheerleaders.

Saturday morning, the Jane and Doug Frazier 12-Gauge Event kicked off for 39 ladies. All additional weather hiccups had passed, and weather conditions were clear, but smooth sailing would have been a bit idealistic. After all it was March, and the winds blew! All weekend, the crystal was a bit rattly on the table, pending awards. The podium was clean when all scores were tallied. Katie Hunt (GA) posted the lone 100; Alison Boyette (FL) shot 99; Lynn Cogdill (MT) broke 98. Corrie Cloninger (NC) took A over Susie Huszai (OH); Culpepper took B; Susan Thompson (NC) took C; Tinsley Rigsby (GA) took D; and Faith Henderson took E over Celiabeth Branch (GA).

Lunch was sponsored by Promatic Machines. The weather was just cool enough for the ladies to enjoy soup, salads, sandwiches, and cookies. Again, A&H catering swooped in just as the food arrived to set up, serve, clean up and disappear to continue Saturday evening preparations.

Saturday afternoon, the Susan and Doug Thompson 28-Gauge Event ensued for 32 ladies. Once again, the podium was clean for Huszai with the single perfect score; Cloninger took runner-up with 98; Boyette claimed third with 97. Mary DeFrancesco (CT) took A; Josie Cloninger (NC) took B; Thompson took C, snaring a trophy in the event she and hubby sponsored; and Brayden Stokes (GA) took D class.

As Saturday nightfall developed, it was time to regroup and move onto the business of the evening. We enjoyed a delicious dinner of beef tenderloin, small potatoes, salad and cake. Food was prepared by A&H Catering, and sous chef, Jodie Lewis. Our evening was sponsored by Friends of the GSSA (Georgia State Skeet Association), and cakes were made by Just Frosted Sweets, owned by Krystal Moody.

This year’s guest speaker Saturday evening was Paul Farr, Director for Marketing and ReStore Operations of Athens Area Habitat for Humanity. Our project this year is the Family Promise apartments. Athens Area Habitat will be partnering with another nonprofit, Family Promise of Athens (FPA), who will be paying the rent on the renovated units. FPA works with families who have fallen into homelessness. They create a personalized plan for each family to get back on their feet. These units will house the families while FPA provides food and other necessities and the adults find employment and do everything else needed to get back to living on their own. So over time, these homes will be helping many parents and children to turn their lives around.

Wrap-up and distribution of the raffle ticket items was handled flawlessly by our amazing team of “royals” – Susan Huszai, Mary DeFrancesco and Lynn Cogdill. They were challenged with space issues this year, as well over 200 items appeared.

Many of our ladies bring baskets for auction, most designed by the ladies themselves. This year’s most creative basket was donated by the Cloninger Ladies, created from a garden hose and filled with great items for a gardener! The basket that raised the most money was a date-night basket with a cuddle blanket, shotgun ammunition and maybe a nice beverage to enjoy, created by Norma Rickmond.

Our live auction, conducted by Mr. Tripp Foy, is a highlight of the weekend. He knows our ladies and does an incredible job. He was assisted by Al Means, Eric, Evan and Dan Heit, and Meredith Tunick-Kling. One never knows what auction items will be carried through the doors or what will be the biggest hit. This year’s hottest items were ammunition; as a result, we raised more money than ever before with this endeavor.

As Habitat homeowners move into their new abode, there are often little items that one might need or want to tailor their house to make it more homey. We raised money to assist, called “Fill the House,” much like a shower for a new bride. This money remained separate from other funds we raised, yet still counted towards our total donation. This year’s recognition for “Most Funds Raised” went to Susan Huszai. We also recognized the lady who got the most sponsors, Mary DeFrancesco. The ladies did a great job reaching out to their local businesses and gun club members who might not have attended the shoot but still wanted to support our initiative.

Sunday morning was the 20-Gauge Event, sponsored by Cloninger, Inc., with 32 entries. Four perfect scores made the scoreboard, from Boyette, Corrie Cloninger, Huszai and Hunt. The ladies hit the field ready for a long stay. Boyette dropped early, securing AA. Hunt and Huszai each let a high 4 fly, after watching Cloninger crunch her pair, earning her Champion. Hunt missed on her next station, taking third, and since Huszai cleaned her station, she was crowned runner-up Josie Cloninger (NC) took A; MaryBeth Parris (NC) took B; Addison Wallace (NC) took C; and Jill Taylor took D. Jill was seen getting some coaching tips on the practice field Sunday morning, working on a couple of stations– clearly the session was just the edge she needed.

Sunday was pretty breezy and never really got quite warm so another round of everyone’s favorite soup, Zuppa Toscana, was perfect, with broccoli salad, sandwiches, cookies, brownies and the remaining cake, sponsored by Tom Bolling.

Sunday afternoon was the .410 Bore Event, sponsored in memory of Barbara Bozard, one of the original ladies who began the Ladies Charity Skeet Classic. Huszai was high on the scoreboard with a single 96, crowning her champion; Hunt & Boyette tied with 95 so they headed to the field. Each lady let a low 4 slide on the first pass, then Hunt let a high 5 slide by and Boyette shut the door with her pair, to secure runner-up and leave third to Hunt. Corrie Cloninger took AA; Parris took A over DeFrancesco; Anderson took B; Karen Ruddle (WV) took C; and Winnie Tucker (FL) took D honors.

Matthews Trenching Co., Inc. HOA Champion was Huszai with 393. Runner-up was Boyette with 391; third was Corrie Cloninger with 389, AA went to Hunt, A went to Anderson, B went to Josie Cloninger, C went to Thompson, D went to Stokes. This year an anonymous sponsor made it possible for am HOA 3-Lady Blind to be awarded to the highest team of Corrie Cloninger, Lynn Cogdill and Becky Myers. Each lady received a free four-gun entry to the 2023 LCSC.

We shoot an Annie Oakley (gals) and Frank Butler (guys) Game with one round of skeet, trap, 5-stand and a few pistol shots. This event is sponsored by Howell Traps and White Flyer. Our pistol range was manned by Mike Wasielewski and his buddy. The guys are always so great with the ladies, ensuring they remain safe, learn a bit about pistols and punch some holes in the paper. Annie honors went to Melissa Petitjean as champion and Jill Taylor as runner-up. Frank honors went to Cannon Petitjean as champion and Don Pence as runner-up. New this year was an added Teams Event, titled Pardners. Teams could be two ladies or one lady/one gent. Our champion Pardners were Melissa and Cannon Petitjean. They both won individual awards, and when teamed together, what a powerhouse! Runner-up Pardners were Alison Boyette and Corrie Cloninger.

We even let the fellas participate a bit this year. They shot registered targets to support our charity. We appreciated their support and hope their average cards appreciated the love.

The funds are still being tallied at this writing. The final donation will be shared on Facebook on the Ladies Charity Skeet Classic page and our webpage at www.ladiescharityshootclassic.org.

To the ladies, sponsors, and volunteers, a huge thank you to each for the role you played. Thank you to South River Gun Club, which works so well for our soiree, and staff for allowing us to take over the facility for the weekend. Thank you to our referees – Doug Thompson, Joe Dickson, Eric Heit, Evan Heit, and Dan Heit. We appreciate all the tasks done, asked and unspoken. Hats off to our house photographer, Greg Huszai who took the amazing photos. Also, to those ladies who snapped casual photos throughout the weekend and shared them. Together everyone did an amazing job of catching the spirit of our tournament.

Start making plans for 2023! We will be back at it again soon.

– Contributed by Tami Daniel-Means