Clay Target Nation

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

JTH Agency Classic

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Victor Rod and Gun Club hosted the JTH Agency Classic on June 8-10, the 15th consecutive year that John and Elizabeth Hessney, owners of the JTH Agency, sponsored the Doubles and four-gun event and 30th anniversary of the tournament. For the shoot’s anniversary celebration, the Hessneys increased the added money and prizes to a combined value of over $6000, much to the appreciation of the shooters. Shooters trekked to the Victor Rod and Gun Club from western and central New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Canada. As the shooters arrived at the club, they encountered the customary hospitality and a facility and grounds gleaming from months of preparation and numerous capital improvements. The club does its best to live up to the shoot’s claim as the “Biggest Little Shoot in New York State.”

The JTH Agency Classic started with the Doubles competition on Friday afternoon, with 40 shooters taking to the fields under clear skies and warm temperatures. Dess Ivanov was right on the targets, bagging all 100 for his first 100 straight in Doubles competition. Five shooters tied with scores of 98. William Kalwas was the eventual winner of the shoot-off to claim Doubles runner-up. Other Doubles winners were Ian Smingler (AA), Dean Herzberg (A), Colin Smingler (B), Mike Kinsella (C), and Victor Stirpe (D). After the conclusion of the shooting, all of the shooters, referees, and volunteers were invited into the club house for an excellent Italian-style meal donated by Tim Archetko, executive chef of the very popular Otto Tomotto’s Good Italian restaurant in Victor, NY. Otto Tomotto’s is one of the highest-rated Italian-style restaurants in the area, and the shooters thoroughly enjoyed the delicious meal.

Saturday’s weather was perfect for skeet, as the winds were calm all day and the blue sky presented a very good background. A total of 42 shooters took the field for Saturday morning’s .410 bore event. Dan Walker crushed all 100 targets for his first 100 straight in competition. Dan needed every target to outlast a pair of 99s from Corey Bogart (runner-up) and Dale “Bob” Patterson (A1). The balance of the .410 field of winners were Dess Ivanov (AA), Scott Janowski (B), Mike Wojtecki (C), and Al Morris (D).

The 20-gauge event concluded the shooting on Saturday afternoon. Ian Smingler got all 100 targets to take the champ title. After a lively shoot-off of three shooters, Canadian Dean Herzberg prevailed as 20-gauge runner-up. The balance of the class winners were Dess Ivanov (AA), Peter Bogdon (A), Ethan Call (B), Victoria Barner (C), and Steve Dickerman (D).

Again this year, shooter Randy Cook generously donated $300 in added money for a special 20-gauge handicapped event for B-C-D class shooters only. Victoria Barner and William Black tied for the top two scores, splitting the prize money. We really can’t thank Randy enough for his generosity and his support of this very popular event. We are very fortunate to have thoughtful and generous shooters like Randy that give back to the sport they love so much.

At the conclusion of the shoot-offs, the shooters, family members, and gun club neighbors all enjoyed a festive happy hour with free refreshments and hors d’oeuvres featuring sushi donated by California Rollin’. How many shoots have sushi? The sushi was a big hit and quickly disappeared. The shooters and guests were then treated a great steak dinner, donated by Dick Evans, Don Lewandoski, Mark Snyder, Justin Aldrich, and Joe Strazzeri. Ron and John grilled the steaks to perfection. Jim Hunter emceed the night’s events and got the festivities started. The shooters and their guests had a great time renewing acquaintances and catching up with their skeet friends. As an added feature, the Hessneys donated enough prizes for every four-gun shooter to win a prize in a raffle. The smiles abounded.

Partly sunny skies and comfortable temperatures greeted the 43 shooters for Sunday’s lead-off 28-gauge event. Six shooters posted scores of 99 in the event. After a suspenseful shoot-off, Ian Smingler emerged as 28-gauge champ with Don Lewandoski as runner-up. Dean Herzberg finished as the AA class winner. Other class winners were Ed Call (A), Bill Costello (B), John Yackiw (C), and George Kirik (D).

On Sunday afternoon, the scoring continued in the 12-gauge event with Dan Morris and Dave Eckert posting 100s. Morris won the shoot-off to become the champ. Eckert took runner-up honors. Other 12-gauge winners were Ian Smingler (AA), Don Lewandoski (A), Mike Kinsella (B), George Kirik (C), Al Morris (D), and Joe Messineo (E).

After the conclusion of the four-gun events, the HOA title required a shoot-off between Dan Morris and Ian Smingler to determine HOA champ. Dan and Ian each had 394×400 four-gun totals. After a short shoot-off, Dan Morris was victorious as HOA champ, with Ian finishing as runner-up. Other HOA honors went to Ivanov (AA), Lewandoski (A), Victoria Barner (B), and Mike Wojtecki (C/D/E).

For the seventh consecutive year, the HOA competition featured the added handicapped JTH Agency Classic HOA Challenge. All four-gun shooters were automatically entered to win premium prizes for the event. John Kapron won this year’s HOA Challenge event and received a Beretta A400 Xcel shotgun. Ian Smingler claimed the second-place prize of a Beretta A300 shotgun. The third-place prize of a $600 Briley companion tube gift certificate was earned by Dess Ivanov. Fourth place was a fine Boyt shotgun case that went to Dan Morris. Three more shotgun cases were given out to the fifth- through seventh-place finishers. How is that for a bundle of prizes? Congrats to all winners of this special event, and thanks to John Hessney for the donations of these fine prizes, in addition to the added money for the shoot.

The JTH Agency Classic is a great source of pride for the members of the Victor Rod and Gun Club. The club is very fortunate to have such a group of dedicated volunteers that devote countless hours to making this shoot the best that it can be. It is gratifying to know the shooters notice the effort and show their appreciation. We truly appreciate that the shooters keep this shoot on their shoot calendar and return each year. Many shooters have been coming to this shoot for more than 10 years and some from the very first shoot. Thanks for your support!

Special thanks go out to our shoot chairman Andy Nolan who manages the shoot project. He has strong support from many members. Thanks also to Dan Caryl for being the chief referee and to his great crew of fine referees. Many thanks go to the advertisers in the shoot program. We believe that we have one of the best quality shoot programs in the country. We can’t 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.

Please go to VRGC web site (www.victorgunclub.com) to check out pictures of the shoot. The club continues to make a number of continuous improvements to make the shooting experience better every year. See you in 2019!

– Contributed by Wes Bailey

Texas State Skeet Championships

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The 2018 Texas State Skeet Championships were held at the National Shooting Complex June 21-24. Hot temperatures and windy conditions were the norm at this year’s tournament, but the conditions did not prevent a tremendous event from happening, thanks to the shoot staff’s hard work and tremendous support from the numerous shoot sponsors.

Shooting began Thursday with the TSSA Referee Championship where Timothy Provorse took top honors. The Doubles event, sponsored by Todd Bender, kicked off Thursday at noon. Jason Ward, Armour Strunk and Rachel Barringer (Lady Champ) claimed the top spots after a superb shoot-off of 99s. All competitors shooting the Doubles event were also automatically entered into the Briley special Lewis class event. All competitors were able to shoot off in their Lewis class, and when all the shots had been fired, five participants were proud owners of a beautiful Briley knife.

Format changes were made to the 2018 Texas State Championships to accommodate as many one-gun shooters as possible and to bring back the traditional 200-target 12-gauge event, which was last shot in 1996. To accommodate as many shooters as possible, the 20- and 28-gauge events were shot on Friday, with shoot-offs on Saturday and Sunday due to the TSSA banquet. The 200-target 12-gauge event was shot on Saturday, and the .410 championship remained for Sunday. Friday morning’s Pacific Sporting Arms 20-gauge event produced 11 perfect scores, while the Lonesome Charlie’s-sponsored 28-gauge event yielded only four. Although we competitors are eager to determine our overall, class, and concurrent places, Friday night was reserved for camaraderie and celebration at the TSSA Hall of Fame Banquet.

While the banquet is a great time to visit with old friends and make a few new ones, the highlight of the evening is honoring the new TSSA Hall of Fame inductees. This year’s inductees included Babette Burley for her great shooting accomplishments and Rocky Goodman as the Buck Stark inductee for his service to the game. Rocky is the only individual in TSSA history to be inducted into the TSSA Hall of Fame both for shooting (2006) and service. Before the conclusion of the evening, the Blaser raffle gun was awarded to Russell Stevens. With the support and assistance received from Blaser and the other great sponsors, the gun raffle, and the hard work of the shoot committee, the 2018 Texas State Skeet Championships offered an outrageous number of awards and prizes. After a nice meal, a few laughs, and some celebration, attention turned back to the 2018 championships.

Saturday morning was the start of the 200-bird 12-gauge event. A huge thank you to Greater Houston Gun Club for sponsoring this year’s 12-gauge championship. With the winds blowing and the temperatures scorching, targets were slipping by. Although conditions were tough, two competitors – John Barnes and Carter Wehrheim – survived the 12 gauge with perfect 200s. Taking a two-year break did not deter Carter from breaking them all in the big gun, or the 20 and 28 gauges, for that matter. Barnes and Wehrheim battled in the stadium field until Barnes let one slip in a ghastly full piece to take runner-up, leaving Wehrheim the champ.

Troy Behrens outlasted all tied at 199 to claim third place, while Rachel Barringer took home the Ladies title. A 12-gauge special Lewis class event, in which all competitors had a shot at winning a Beretta A400 Xcel, ran concurrently with the 12-gauge event. Just as in Doubles, five Lewis classes were spread among the fields, and five lucky winners earned a brand-new shotgun. Thank you to all the individuals and sponsors that helped make this event possible.

The 20-gauge championship would also be determined on Saturday. Wehrheim again took top honors as he outlasted George Murray and Jason Ward. Rachel Barringer continued her outstanding start to the event, finishing as Lady Champion ahead of Margaret Clement, both with perfect scores.

Once Saturday was completed, the .410 bore was left to shoot, and the 28-gauge shoot-offs remained. Colton Back, member of the Schreiner University Division 2 National Championship shooting team, captured his first state title by defeating former champions Lindsay Plesko and Bailey Glenewinkel.

Going into the .410, Carter Wehrheim held a three-target lead over the nearest competitor, but as always, the .410 would have to be completed before anyone could be crowned HOA Champion. Cameron Schuster defended his .410-bore championship from 2017 with the lone 100 in the S&B Plumbing, Inc. .410-Bore Championship. With his perfect score, Cameron took home the last championship tomahawk, which was awarded to all gun champions. Greg Van Belois and Doug Coulter rounded out the .410 podium, while Plesko earned her second Ladies championship of the weekend in front of Glenewinkel and Lauren Burge.

Although no perfect 500 was completed for the HOA Championship, Carter Wehrheim prevailed as the 2018 Texas State Skeet HOA Champion, which was sponsored by Robert Paxton of Paxton Arms. It was very fitting that the nine-time HOA winner of the Texas State Skeet Championship sponsored this year’s High Over All event. Jason Ward settled for HOA runner-up just ahead of last year’s champion, Cameron Schuster, who took third place. Kaleigh Lawson was the steadiest shooter all weekend in the Ladies concurrent, and she was named Lady HOA Champion for her efforts. Kaleigh finished one target ahead of Glenewinkel (runner-up) and Plesko (third) in the HOA event. Other notable winners and honors included Vicki Cline (Referee of the Year), Andrew Benson (Herb Gundlefeld Award winner as Junior HOA), Robert Davis (Gene Jackson Award winner for Senior Veteran HOA), and Greg Van Belois (Earl Barosso Award winner for Senior HOA).

Another coveted honor that is annually awarded at the Texas State Championships is for 5-man team awards. This year, the Fort Worth Trap and Skeet Team (Mike Schmitt, Tom Deaton, Wes Roddie, Charli Abendroth, Matthew Roberson) took home top honors in Doubles and 20 gauge. Greater Houston Gun Club took home the remainder of the awards via three different teams. Brandon Cade (2018 Texas State Shoot chairman), John Castillo, Mike Fox, Cliff Moller, and Tommy Mays captured the 28-gauge awards; Armour Strunk, Dwight Vincent, Lindsay Plesko, Pat Byrne, and John Barnes were the top team in the 12-gauge; while William Edmunds, Hunter Edmunds, George Murray, Bradley Pang and Matthew Ward finished the weekend strong with the .410 and HOA titles. Congratulations to all the 5-man team Eagle Award winners.

The 2018 Texas State Skeet Championships were such a tremendous event thanks to the hard work of the TSSA Board of Directors and shoot staff as well as the gracious support of all the sponsors. We look forward to seeing everyone at the 2019 Texas State Skeet Championships at the Dallas Gun Club.

– Contributed by Nathan Boyd

Clinton-Irwin’s Klody Memorial Open

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The Clinton-Irwin Rod and Gun Club near Barkeyville, Pennsylvania, hosted the 11th annual Klody Memorial Open on June 8-10. John Klody was a tireless volunteer at this club during the time that the second field was being built, and field 2 is named in his honor.

Fourteen shooters shot at least one gun in this 5-gun shoot. Rich Vensel’s 388 took HOA champion honors, and Kenny Riddile was HOA runner-up with 387; Vensel was HAA champ with a 481.

The weather was variable, sunny, clear and calm on Friday and Saturday and very wet on Sunday. Unfortunately, the earlier prediction of rain for the entire weekend probably convinced some shooters to stay home.

Ten shooters went after Doubles on Friday afternoon. When the smoke had cleared, Ernie Avolio’s 94 was good for champion and A1. Other class firsts went to Chris Greenlee (B) and Mark Johnson (C).

Saturday morning’s 12-gauge event included 14 shooters. Rich Vensel smoked 100 targets, taking the 12-gauge championship and AA1. This was Rich’s first registered 100 straight, and his hat was appropriately vented. Avolio broke 99 and was A1; B, C and D firsts went to Scott Holman, Dale Snow and Gary Schuette, respectively.

Fourteen shooters also participated in the 20-gauge event on Saturday afternoon. Avolio and Riddile were high with 99s; after a short shoot-off, John emerged as champion and AA1, and Kenny was A1. Paul Augustin, Cecil Smith and Schuette, respectively, took B1, C1 and D1.

Sunday morning dawned wet; lots of Frogg Toggs and similar attire were in evidence. The 28-gauge event was first, and 11 shooters participated. Riddile was champion and A1 with a 98. Other class firsts included Avolio (AA), Vensel (B) and Jeff Riddle (C) after a shoot-off with Greenlee.

On Sunday afternoon, with the skies still leaking, it was time for the .410. Vensel continued his good shooting, despite the rain, and took the little-gun championship and AA1 with a nice 97. Class first places went to Augustin (A), Riddle (B), George Gleich (C) and Schuette (D).

Nice club, nice people, good birds, good lunches. Clinton-Irwin would love to see you at their next shoot.

– Contributed by George Gleich

Ralph Holtz Memorial at Generations Skeet Club

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Generations Skeet Club (formerly the 7-H Skeet Club) hosted the 15th annual Ralph Holtz Memorial Shoot at their beautiful fields near Patton, Pennsylvania on June 1-3.

Even though the weather people had been calling for rain for this weekend, Friday and Saturday were nice, partly cloudy with light breezes and a bit muggy. Sunday, on the other hand, fulfilled the prognosticator’s predictions by raining all day!

Forty-eight shooters shot at least one gun. Chris Kline’s 392 was good for HOA champion; Mike Wollard was HOA runner-up with a 391. Missy Vescovi was Ladies HOA champ.

Twenty-two shooters shot Doubles on Friday afternoon. Kline’s 98 made him champion. Class firsts went to Wollard (A), Scott Grossett (B), Brad Botteicher (C) and George Gleich (D).

The 28-gauge shooting began on Saturday morning with 34 shooters participating. Dan Felton was champion with a nice 99 after a shoot-off with Joe Vescovi. Class firsts were Joe Vescovi (AA), Roy Holtz (A), Ed Call (B) after shooting off 96s with Kevin Spessard, John Davies (C) and Tracey Snyder (D).

Shooting continued on Saturday afternoon with 38 shooters in the 12-gauge event. Frank Smithmeyer had the lone 100 straight and was champion. Clay Gormish won a shoot-off of 99s with Joe Vescovi and took AA1. Wollard, Josh Crofutt, Grossett, Davies and Brian Long, respectively, were A, B, C, D and E class winners. Allison Shaffer from St. Marys, PA had her first registered 25 straight.

The food was abundant and delicious on Saturday evening. The meal was a combination affair serving as the banquet for the winter skeet league held at Generations and the Holtz Memorial Shoot repast.

The .410 bore was shot on Sunday morning. After all the little bullets were fired, Wollard’s 98 was good for champion, after a shoot-off with Kline. Class firsts went to Kline (AA), Gormish (A), Adam Vollmer (B), Gary Trilli (C) and Doug Long (D). The Three-Man Blind event, based on .410 bore scores, is always fun with secret ballot bidding for the eight computer-picked teams after the meal on Saturday night. The winners were Joe Vescovi, Kline and Doug Long after they won a shoot-off with Leyo, Gormish and Trilli. Wollard bought the winning team.

The 20-gauge event was last and took place on Sunday afternoon with 34 shooters. Ryan Holtz, Leyo and Joe Vescovi shot 99s; Ryan won the shoot-off to take the championship. Leyo, Vescovi, Tim Holtz, Davies and Shaffer, respectively, took firsts in AA, A, B, C and D classes. Terry Smith, from New Germany, PA, shot his first registered 25 straight.

A hat shoot was conducted at the end of the day. Allison Shaffer’s and Terry Smith’s hats were well perforated to commemorate their 25 straights this weekend.

The shoot management team included Tori Holtz, registration and scorekeeping, and Michael Vescovi, chief referee. Young, non-shooting referees included Kelsey Krug, Mikayla Lansbury, Paige McMullen and Jake Beebe, who did a great job.

– Contributed by George Gleich

 

Minnesota Inducts Jerry Ryan, Honors All-State Teams

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Minnesota Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame Inductee, Jerry Ryan

Jerry Ryan was inducted to the Minnesota Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame at its annual awards banquet on April 21, 2018, in Minneapolis. Jerry has been a member of the NSSA since 1984. As a young man he worked at the Minneapolis Gun Club (MGC) and developed a lifelong love of skeet. Jerry has always been willing to volunteer his time and efforts for many different projects at MGC, as well as being a strong proponent of youth shooting.  Jerry makes a point to meet and welcome new skeet shooters.  During tournaments, he interacts with shooters, offering support and encouragement. He is a great mentor for both new and experienced skeet shooters.

Jerry has posted over 40 100 straights during his shooting career at various gun clubs all over the country. This puts him close to the top of all the great skeet shooters from Minnesota. Jerry has won a number of Minnesota state gun championships and 37 Minnesota concurrent titles.  He posted 100 straights to claim state 12 gauge titles in 2009, 2012 and 2013.  He also won the state Doubles championship in 2009 and the state High Overall championship in 2016.

The 2018 Minnesota All-State teams were also recognized at the annual awards dinner:

First Team
Bob Rick (Captain)
Jeff Korhonen
Jerry Ryan
Jarret Hayes
Tony Lowe
Second Team
Justin Baker (Captain)
David Baker
Scott Melchisedech
Hayden Wege
Mark Vanderbloomer

 

 

 

 

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