Clay Target Nation

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

Minnesota State Skeet Championships

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Rick Wilder’s Metro Gun Club in Blaine, Minnesota, was the venue for the 2018 Minnesota State Skeet Shooting Association (MSSA) Championships, August 17-19. The shooters were treated to perfect weather and great targets throughout the tournament. Winds were mostly calm, and the background at Metro is always ideal.

Friday’s Doubles event was led by Jeff Korhonen, whose 99 was uncontested. A pair of 98s were posted by 16-year-old Hayden Wege and Jarret Hayes, with Hayden claiming the runner-up spot and Jarret coming in third. Doubles class champions were Jerry Ryan, the 2018 MSSA Hall of Fame Inductee), class A; Paul Davis B1, Sam Radford C1 and Arthur R. Peterson Jr. D1.

Hayden Wege, Paul Davis, Jeff Korhonen and Mike Quigley each posted perfect scores in Saturday’s 12-gauge event. Hayden Wege emerged the winner with Paul Davis runner-up. Jerry Ryan placed third, followed by Scott Melchisedech AA1, Jeff Korhonen A1, Mike Quigley B1, Justin Staebell C1, Grant Benson D1 and Arthur R. Peterson Jr. E1.

Jeff Korhonen stayed hot, posting his second consecutive 100 straight in the 20-gauge event. He claimed the 20-gauge title after a shoot-off with Jerry Ryan, runner-up, and Janice Lohman, third, who also posted perfect scores. 20-gauge class champions were Michael Lohman, Robert Rick, Sam Radford, Grant Benson and Jared Miller in classes AA, A, B, C and D. Spectators for both events saw lengthy exhibitions of Doubles at 3, 4 and 5 before the 12- and 20-gauge champions were established.

Shooters and guests enjoyed a buffet dinner in the clubhouse Saturday night, along with the presentation of trophies by MSSA president, Brian Hendrickson.

Calm weather greeted the Sunday events. The 28-gauge was won by Tony Lowe with the lone 100. Three 99s were posted by Robert Rick, David Baker and 2017 MSSA Hall of Fame inductee Leon Rother. Robert Rick claimed 28-gauge runner-up, with Leon Rother placing third. David Baker won class AA, followed by Scott Melchisedech, Gene Helsene, Jeff Schneider and Deon Thompson in classes A, B, C and D.

Jerry Ryan won the .410 event with an uncontested 99 and claimed the High Overall Championship in the process. 98s were posted by David Baker, runner-up, and Scott Melchisedech, third. The .410 class winners were Michael Lohman, Jeff Korhonen, Sam Radford, David Michaelynn and Gunner Rockwell Hove at AA, A, B, C and D, respectively.

The 2018 High Overall awards went to Jerry Ryan, champion; Jeff Korhonen, runner-up and HAA Champion; David Baker, third; and class winners Michael Lohman AA1, Scott Melchisedech A1, Gene Helsene B1, Leon Rother C1 and Gunner Rockwell Hove D1.

Our thanks go to Scott Melchisedech for running the NSSA scoring software. It’s a time-consuming task that is critical to running a quality shoot. It was especially hard for Scott because he was posting great scores and winning shoot-offs at the same time.

– Contributed by Ron Chandler

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Kentucky State Skeet Championships

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Chief Paduke Gun Club was selected by the state association to host the 2018 Kentucky State Championships. A full slate of gunners attended, with participation being the highest of the last 10 years.

In Friday’s Doubles competition, Missourian Mike Galloway carded the best score with a 99. Barry Stevenson proved to be the best of in-state contestants with his 98. Class winners were Ron Thomas A1 (97), Dave Duncan B1 (95), Wayne Wiksen C1 (91) and Leigh Lesser D1 (82).

Troy Stevenson of Calvert City is pictured receiving a plaque from Dr. Kenneth Ford. Photo provided by Marshall County Daily.
Dr. Ted Hatfield receiving his Hall of Fame plaque from Dr. Kenneth Ford. Photo provided by Marshall County Daily.

As shooting resumed on Saturday, three shooters broke them all with the 12. Joe Charles, AA, was joined on the shoot-off field by two B-class entrants, Hobart Miller and Kevin Parrott; coincidentally, both are members of the Jefferson Gun Club Team, and it was the first 100 straight for each. Parrott prevailed in the Doubles shoot-off, leaving his co-competitors with first place in their respective classes. Other class winners were Barkley Lister A1 (99), Bob Toy C1 (96), Barry Garner D1 (96) and Milton Stevenson E1 (92). Miller and Parrott, joined by Wiksen, Rick Corneliussen and Andrew Amrhein, combined for a 491 to take the coveted club 5-man team trophy back to JGC for the next year.

Michael Schlarman prevailed in a three-way shoot-off of 100s for the 20-gauge championship. Joining him for the tie-breaker were Tom Selley, AA1, and perennial state champion Troy Stevenson. Dave Duncan broke 99 birds for first in A. Other class winners included Richard Ladd B1 (99), Johnny Evans C1 (97) and John Oliver D1 (89).

In appreciation of the stellar turnout, Chief Paduke hosted a fish fry on Saturday evening, a tasty offering prepared by Earl and Ann Yarbrough. Following the dinner, the annual KSSA business meeting was conducted. A highlight of this year’s affair was the introduction of the first class of the Kentucky Skeet Hall of Fame. Members of the first class were Gene Wentz, Keath Hammon, Troy Stevenson and Ted Hatfield. Ted traveled from Florida for his induction, and it was great meeting one of the true legends of skeet, both on the state and national level. The efforts of Ken Ford in getting the Hall of Fame effort started are much appreciated.

The sun kept shining on Sunday, as the competitors gathered for the final day of the shoot. Schlarman brought home his second gun championship of the weekend by busting all 100 targets in 28 gauge. Winning the classes were Troy Stevenson AA1 (99), Michael Wilkerson A1 (99), Wayne Lister B1 (99), Steve Brenningmeyer C1 (96) and Rick Gonzales D1 (92).

Ken Ford claimed an outright victory in .410, as he was the only shooter to break all 100 targets. Heading the classes were Dennis Burns AA1 (98), Barry Stevenson A1 (98), Jeff Pope B1 (94), Hobart Miller C1 (95) and Rick Gonzales D1 (95).

Burns and Schlarman tied for both open and state HOA crowns with 394s, with Schlarman prevailing in the shoot-off. Dave Duncan’s (390) consistency throughout the weekend won him the A title. Richard Ladd claimed HOA honors in B by hitting 390 targets. Mike Burrell seized first in C with 376 total. John Oliver bested his D-class competitors with 362, and Zach Kidd was victorious in E with a 288 total.

Chief Paduke Gun Club is blessed with a group of a dozen officers and keyholders, joined by long-time hard-working club members Mike Champy, Tom Collier, and Albert Marshall that each chipped in to make the shoot such a rousing success. A special note of appreciation to Wayne Wiksen, KSSA treasurer for his efforts in coordinating the shoot.

– Contributed by Bob Toy

Joe Van Memorial Shoot

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The 11th annual Joe Van Memorial Shoot was held July 20-22 at Carlisle Fish and Game Association in Carlisle, PA. Joe VanDenburg was Skeet Chair and supporter of skeet for many years at Carlisle and was responsible for starting many new skeet shooters.

Our five-gun shoot this year hosted 28 shooters from five states. Barry Horner of Keymar, MD, a Veteran shooter of only seven years, shot his first 100 straight in Doubles, winning that event. Carlisle is his home club, and he is coached by Denny Lehman. The rains started early Saturday morning and continued all weekend, soaking all our brave participants. But Matt Sanders of Abbottstown, PA, must have been rainproof, as he cleaned up in all the other guns, shooting an HOA of 397.

Thanks to all who helped make this shoot a success.

– Contributed by Tom Wolfe

 

Generations Couples Shoot

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The fourth annual Couples Shoot was held at Generations Skeet Club near Patton, PA, on September 16. The weather was great, upper 70s and partly cloudy with just enough wind to keep it interesting (we wouldn’t want any new skeet shooters to think it was too easy).

The Couples Shoot was initiated by Generations to introduce new shooters, especially ladies and younger shooters, to skeet, to have fun shooting while stressing gun safety, to enjoy an early autumn afternoon with a fine group of people and, of course, to eat! It was begun in 2015 with 14 couples participating. This year, 76 shooters – 38 couples – participated. Who knows what might happen next year; there certainly will be a next year for this shoot!

Shooting began at 11 a.m., and all four of the skeet fields were soon involved. Many of the participants were first-time shooters. Certified instructors were present on each field to help these new shooters, and any not-so-new shooters that wanted it. Generations also provided shotguns, shells and eye and ear protection to those who needed them. Pullers and scorers included Kelsey Krug and Paige McMullen; both young ladies regularly help run the Wednesday night skeet league here and do a great job. They also joined in on the shooting fun and did well!

Squads of 4, 6 and/or 8 people participated. All NSSA safety rules were strictly enforced, but some of the other rules were slightly bent at times to help new shooters. For example, some new shooters shot four singles instead of two singles and a double at times, and congratulating a new shooter each time they smoked a bird was encouraged.

At approximately 4 p.m., after everyone had shot at 50 birds (two rounds), shoot-offs began. Liberal, but top secret, handicaps were applied, which allowed all the couples to participate in doubles at 3, 4 and 5. The shoot-offs were also handicapped with experienced shooters receiving no targets and rookies getting four. Following the first round of shoot-offs, the remaining eight pairs of shooters proceeded to field 2 for the final shoot-off. A large crowd of spectators watched and cheered as the winners were decided. Cindy and Jeff Harding emerged as the Couples Shoot champions for 2018 and were awarded the custom tiara bedecked with spent shotgun shells and a blue ribbon. Shoot runners-up were Shane and Kate Crawford, and third place went to Michael Vescovi and Kiersten Kruise. During the awards ceremony, beautiful engraved wine glasses to commemorate the event were presented to all three couples. Just for the record, the champs and runners-up are experienced sporting clays shooters but first-time skeet shooters. They commented on how much they enjoyed the game and the camaraderie, and I would bet they become regular skeet shooters, as they met some very good friends.

After the shooting was done, people migrated to “The Barn,” about 200 yards from the skeet clubhouse, for a fine picnic-style dinner. After the meal, awards were presented to the Couples Shoot winners, and winners of the recently finished Wednesday night league were recognized.

Many thanks to the Generations Skeet Family for hosting a great event!

– Contributed by George Gleich

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World Record Established for 500-Target 28 Gauge

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Two shoots were scheduled for the Labor Day weekend at Piedmont Sportsman Club (Orange, VA) – the Bill Twyman Open, a 500-target marathon of 28-gauge targets, and the Labor Day Open, with all guns and Doubles. The two shoots were being run in parallel. Three brave souls were willing to attempt to establish the first new World Record in the 500-target 28-gauge event. (See Clay Target Nation, February 2017, bit.ly/CTN0217-10).

Having shot the entire Labor Day Open on one day, Fred Wood and Jason Armstrong were joined by Jeff Bond on Saturday morning to begin the 28-gauge marathon of 300 targets on Saturday and the final 200 on Sunday. With a forecast for the weekend indicating nothing but hot and humid, it was going to be a challenge.

So at 0900 on Saturday morning, the marathon began, with Jeff Bond leading, followed by Jason Armstrong and Fred Wood as tailgunner. The three easily finished each flight in less than an hour, and after the first 100 targets, Jeff Bond led by three targets. After some water and cooling off, the three approached the field again for next set of 100 targets, but by now the sun had burned off the morning dew and the temperature was rising, the humidity was high and the sweat never evaporated. The next 200 targets proved difficult for all, but Fred Wood stayed focused and was able to post one round of 99. By the end of the day and the first 300 targets, Fred Wood was in the lead by two targets.

Piedmont hosted a fine dinner Saturday evening and even better camaraderie, as everyone told stories of prior skeet events, remembered those shooters who are no longer with us and shared their plans for future activities.

All three again met up for the last 200 targets on Sunday with a forecast of even more of the same hot and humid conditions. The fourth 100 targets started with all three men posting a perfect first round of 25; as it turned out, that was the only time that all three did so. When the sun came out in full force and the dew steamed off the grass, the glasses would fog up – usually just before a target was called for. By the end of the 400th target, Fred and Jeff were again tied, after Jeff posted a 99 to match Fred’s 99 from the day before.

The three took to the field to shoot their last set of 100 28-gauge targets. But with the heat and humidity and mental pressure all rising, Jeff lost the first bird out. As the rounds progressed, Fred would lead and then Jeff would lead and then they would be tied again. As the squad battled around the field, the crowd of spectators began to grow and focused their attention on Fred and Jeff, but referee Ronnie Dodson maintained his cool composure the entire time. Spectators gathered and the crowd grew, wondering which of the three men would establish a World Record. Finally, scores were tallied and double-checked, it turned out that Fred Wood and Jeff Bond together set the World Record and would be recognized as co-holders, having tied with a score of 484X500.

But only one could be declared champion of the Bill Twyman Open, and after a very long and grueling set of doubles, Jeff Bond was declared champ, Fred Wood was runner-up and Jason Armstrong third (with a 467 x 500).

– Contributed by Ronald Dodson

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