Clay Target Nation

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

Gil Rodler Memorial

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Tarentum District Sportsmen’s Club (TDSC) near Sarver, Pennsylvania held their fifth Gil Rodler Memorial 4-gun shoot on Labor Day, September 2. Gil Rodler Sr. passed away in June of 2014 at the age of 88. Gil was one of the best skeet shooters in Pennsylvania for many years and had many friends and acquaintances in the skeet community. Gil Rodler Jr. attended the shoot and shot very well, ending up as 28-Gauge Champion, A1 in the 20 and A1 in the 12. Gil Sr. would have been proud but probably would have asked his son, “What happened in the .410?”

The weather was great, partly cloudy to partly sunny, near 75 degrees with light winds. A total of 31 shooters participated in this four-gun, 50-bird-per-gun affair. HOA winners were Josh Crofutt (Champion, 195), Chris Kline (runner-up, 194) and Mike Wollard (third, 191).

The .410 was first on the agenda, and 26 competitors shot the little gun. Kline took the championship outright with his 49; Tim Holtz was runner-up with a 48. Class firsts went to Mike Rykaczewski Jr. (AA), Crofutt (A), Debra Meade (B), Harry Simonovich (C) and Ross Carney (D).

The 28-gauge was next up with 27 shooters, and there were three 50s from Gil Rodler Jr., Wollard and Meade; Rodler emerged as Champion and Wollard as runner-up. Rykaczewski Jr., Meade, Arvid Kobosky, Bryson Fox and Lance Petro, respectively, were AA1, A1, B1, C1 and D1.

Twenty-seven shooters took part in the 20-gauge event. Wollard had the only 50 straight and was champion. Crofutt, runner-up, won a shoot-off of 49s with Kline (AA1). Rodler Jr. (A1), Ernie Anderson (B1), Paul Hunt (C1) and Simonovich (D1) rounded out the list of class winners.

Twenty-nine shooters shot the 12-gauge. There were three 50 straights: Crofutt (champion), Kline (runner-up) and Kevin Spessard (B1). Other class firsts went to Meade (AA), Rodler Jr. (A), Tom Shields (C), Bob Waite (D) and Petro (E).

Kudos to Jerry McCullough and Mike Rykaczewski Sr. for shoot management and to John Smith, Gary Trilli, Chris Smith, Paul Augustin, Tom Gulotta, Josh Crofutt and Mike Rykaczewski Jr. for pulling and scoring. Many thanks to Regina Nemergut and Marie Palmer for preparing and serving the food.

 

– Contributed by George Gleich

Tuffy’s Pet Food Open

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Fort Thunder Shooting Center in Perham, Minnesota, hosted Tuffy’s Pet Food Open, a five-gun registered skeet shoot on July 28-29.

On the first day, the 12- and 20-gauge events were held. In the 12-gauge event, Scott Melchisedech shot a 98 to win class A and gun champion. Runner-up was Bob Rick (93), while Mark VanderBloomer took third with 89. Other class winners were David Gaboury (C, 89), Jack Sveningson (D, 82) and Cliff Young (E, 76).

Gun champion and class AA winner in the 20-gauge event went to Scott Melchisedech with a score of 96, followed by runner-up Bob Rick at 94. Class winners were David Gaboury (B, 95), Raymond Polensky (C, 87) and Cliff Young (D, 76).

On the second day were the 28-gauge, .410 bore, and doubles events. In the 28-gauge, Bob Rick won gun champion and class AA with a score of 98. Class B winner Ray Polensky shot 91, while class C winner was Cliff Young at 86. In the .410 event, gun champion and class B winner was Scott Melchisedech (93), and Bob Rick won class A (91).

In doubles, David Gaboury took gun champion and class C with a score of 91. Class A winner was Bob Rick (87), and winning class B was Mark VanderBloomer (84).

Thanks to Tuffy’s Pet Foods who co-sponsored this tournament with Fort Thunder Shooting Center, furnishing cash for winners and door prizes.

– Contributed by Sheli Sharp

Hamburg Open

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The weather was amazing with sunny, blue skies and  warm temperatures for the 2019 Hamburg Open on July 12-14 at Hamburg (New York) Rod and Gun Club. The first event of the weekend was doubles. Peter Bogdon was the champion, and runner-up was Mathew Kelley.  Class winners were Ricky Laurito (AA), Dana Driscoll (A), Mike Smith (B), Gregory McChesney Jr. (D) and Junior Champion, Ryan Meger.

Saturday came, and the weather conditions were wonderful again. In the 12-gauge event, we had two 100s. After shoot-offs, the results were Dave Sobiegray as champ, Mathew Kelley runner-up, Peter Bogdon (AA1), Scott Van Etten (A1), Samuel Heusler (B1), Victor Stirpe (C1), Arnold Smart (D1), Jerry Reeves (E1) and Junior Champion, Ryan Meger.

We broke for lunch (thank you to Guy and Sharon Otis and Paul Barnas Jr.). In the  20-gauge event, Colin Smingler had the only 100 for the championship. Peter Bogdon was runner-up. Class winners were Mathew Kelley (AA), Matthew Lenehan (A), Ricky Laurito (B), Cynthia Johnson (C), Gregory McChesney (D) and Junior Champion, Ryan Meger.

Everyone enjoyed dinner that night with pork chops and chicken cordon bleu provided by ZJ’s Restaurant. A nice cocktail party was put on by our club’s past president, Jim McAndrews.

On Sunday, the weather cooperated again with a great start for the 28-gauge event. Event champion Ryan Meger had the only 100. Other finishers include runner-up Peter Bogdon, Dana Driscoll (AA1), Dave Sobiegray (A1), Douglas Paddock (B1), Jerry Reeves (C1), Ricky Laurito Jr. (D1) and Junior Champion, Ryan  Meger.

After the lunch break, the weather conditions were perfect for the .410 event. Mathew Kelley came out as champ, runner-up was Bernard Lenehan, and class champs were Ryan Meger (AA), Ricky Laurito (A), Matthew Lenehan (B), Cynthia Johnson (C), John Cicora (D) and Junior Champion, Ryan Meger.

HOA was won by Mathew Kelley with a 396, and runner-up was Ryan Meger (394). Class winners were Bernard Lenehan (AA, 387), Peter Bogdon (A, 391), Matthew Lenehan (B, 384), Ricky Laurito (C, 369), Arnold Smart (D, 326) and Junior Champion, Ryan Meger (394).

Thanks to all the sponsors and patrons of the 2019 Hamburg Open for your support that helped make this a great shoot. We look forward to seeing everyone next year at the 2020 Hamburg Open. I would like to thank the following sponsors for sponsoring events: Doubles, Ventry’s Heating and Air Conditioning; 12-gauge, Manth Manufacturing Inc.; 20-gauge, Artisan Stock and Gunworks; 28-gauge, Hamburg Brewing Company; Red Hot, Maxwell Murphy Attorneys At Law; .410, J. Mills Distributing Company; HOA, Russell’s Steaks, Chops and More Restaurant; and Last Dash for Cash, Fiocchi Ammunition.

– Contributed by Paul Barnas

Boyd Memorial Cancer Shoot

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The 7th annual Boyd Memorial Cancer Shoot was held the weekend of July 13 at the Cooperstown Sportsmen’s Club in Cooperstown, New York. On this exceptionally warm day, 15 registered skeet shooters shot in both 12-gauge and 20-gauge events. Shooter Kerry Richardson of Mexico, New York, shot a 100 straight in the 12-gauge, and Robert Mosca of Wynantskill, New York, achieved his first 25 straight in the 20-gauge event. At the end of the day, the High Over All trophy, for the combined two guns, was presented to shooter Kerry Henderson on his first time at the fundraising event. We are glad he had such a good day.

The Cancer Memorial Shoot is a fundraiser for cancer research, with funds donated to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Otsego County, New York. It is a two-day event with the second day being open shooting for both skeet and trap. Attendees enjoyed warm weather, good company, lunch, raffles and a bake sale. It is always a fun time. This year, one registered shooter, Alan Clark, Sr., traveled from Houston, Texas, to participate.

Thanks to members of the Cooperstown Sportsmen’s Association, led by president Bob Navratil, for their commitment to the success of this important event. Thanks as well to the New York State Skeet Association for providing continued support. Our hope is that a cure will be found for this devastating disease so no more families go through the pain and heartbreak of losing a loved one.

This year’s shoot raised over $7000, bringing the total to over $38,000 that has been donated to the American Cancer Society since 2013. The success of this fundraising event could not have been possible if not for the efforts and leadership of our chairperson, Joyce Boyd. We thank Joyce for her dedication and hard work that she has put into this event.

– Contributed by Ted Kantorowski

3F Summer Classic

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The 3F Club in Lewiston, New York, hosted the 3F Summer Classic on July 19-21. The top-100 shoot was sold out, with 50 shooters attending from New York and Canada. The 3F continues to host one of the top money shoots in New York, with over $3000 added money and complimentary breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails for all shooters.

Friday’s doubles event saw bright, sunny skies and light winds. Congratulations to Don Lewandoski on his first 100 in doubles and winning the championship outright. Dess Ivanov, Peter Bogdon and Rick Laurito, with 99s, shot off for runner-up. After a box and a half, Laurito bested Ivanov. Class winners were Dess Ivanov (AA), Mike Ferchaw (A), Victoria Ferchaw (B), Al Morris (C) and John Cicora (D).

Saturday brought on the heat wave with temperatures in the mid-90s and a heat index of 105 – that’s hot for us northerners. The 12-gauge event was also hot, with five 100s posted by Aaron Benton, Peter Bogdon, Dess Ivanov, Scott Janowski and Ed Smith. After five stations, Bogdon bested Ivanov for the championship. Class winners were Aaron Benton (AA), Mike Ferchaw (A), Bryan Jensen (B), Mark Jesske (C), Al Morris (D) and Steve Dickerman (E).

Following the lunch break, the shooters took to the field for the 28-gauge event, with Aaron Benton posting the lone 100 to win the championship. Dale Patterson, Hunter Dickerman and Colin Smingler with 99s battled it out for runner-up, with Patterson taking the second spot on the podium. Class winners were Hunter Dickerman (AA), Colin Smingler (A), Matt Lenehan (B), Scott Macintosh (C) and Todd Abbey (D).

On Saturday night, shooters were treated to a top-notch dinner, with hors d’oeuvres, shrimp, fruit trays, dessert table, cocktail hour and a traditional roast pig stuffed with chicken halves and all the fixings. It was a meal fit for a king.

Sunday morning’s first flight had challenging lighting conditions, light rain, then partly cloudy and bright sun with the big, white puffy clouds we all like. Rick Laurito’s, Dess Ivanov’s and Aaron Benton’s 99s were high for the 20-gauge. After a lengthy shoot-off, Laurito closed the door on Ivanov for the championship. Class winners were Aaron Benton (AA), Bruce Raymond (A), Aaron Burnett (B), Daniel Lourenco (C) and Todd Abbey (D).

For the .410, the final event of the day, the winds were moderate and the bright sun sweltering hot. A lone 100 was enough for Dess Ivanov to capture the gun championship, and Benton’s 98 took runner-up. Class winners were Steve Wood (AA), Dale Patterson (A), Colin Smingler (B), Scott Macintosh (C) and Steve Dickerman (D).

Aaron Benton captured the HOA crown with a fine 397, withstanding the pressure from Ivanov with a 396 for runner-up. Class winners were Ed Smith (AA), Dale Patterson (A), Mark Jesske (B), Scott Macintosh (C), Steve Dickerman (D) and Jim Hunter (E).

A special thank you to all of our dedicated sponsors, and thanks to Duane Manth and Manth Mfg., without whom we would not be able to offer the added money. Thanks to the venue that has enabled us to grow the shoot year after year. Thanks to Randy Cook for his generous donation for the 20-gauge B-C-D event. Thanks also to our referees and all our volunteers who made this shoot possible: Mike Clarke, Jeff Ventry, Fredo Vanoni, John Lucas, Dave Sobiegray, Rich Falcone, Tim Baldwin, Jackie Ventry and Lisa Kelly. Thank you to all the shooters for making our event a growing success. Please join us again next year and bring along new shooting friends. The 3F will also be a host club for the U.S. Open iShoot. Make it a family vacation, as there are lots of things to do in Niagara Falls, Lewiston and Youngstown, New York.

– Contributed by Dave Sobiegray

Photo ID, left to right – Champions

Peter Bogdon              12-gauge

Aaron Benton              28-gauge & HOA

Dess Ivanov                .410 and & HOA runner-up

Don Lewandoski         Doubles champion

Rick Laurito                 20-gauge

 

 

 

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