Clay Target Nation

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

World Warm-up Shoot at Grand Prairie

By

Dennis Parkison
Dennis Parkison

Grand Prairie Gun Club upheld a stellar reputation by hosting the 2018 World Warm-up skeet tournament September 14-16.

The threat of bad weather was not a deterrent as 61 shooters began the competition on Friday with the Doubles event. Jason Foshea, Champion, finished with the only 100, and Shane Quinn was runner-up with 99. Lauren Burge brought in Lady Champion and third overall with a 97. For those who did not need to return at the end of the day for shoot-offs, savory hors d’oeuvres were served by the volunteer kitchen staff.

Saturday began with 74 contestants in the 12 gauge and beautiful skeet weather on the horizon. Exceptional scores were turned in by all classes, but there was a single 100 shot by Shane Quinn, champion. Candidates for runner-up and third came from a pool of eight 99s. Tom Deaton, runner-up and Retired Military Champion, and Andrew Benson, third and Junior Champion, took the remaining top spots. Lady Champion was Jo Ellen Collin, and Charlie Abendroth finished as Lady runner-up. Saturday’s competition was concluded with the 20 gauge. Again, there was a lone 100 in the event. Jason Foshea repeated as Champion and Military Veteran Champion, Shane Quinn kept a place at the top with runner-up, and Paul Newman was third. AAA first through third were Richard Funk, Andrew Benson and Greg Van Belois, respectively. Jo Ellen Collin made another appearance as Lady Champion with a 98, and Lauren Burge was runner-up with a 96.

Lauren Burge
Lauren Burge

A light rain fell during the last rotation but managed to clear by the time shoot-offs started. Once the last shot was fired, everyone retired to the clubhouse for grilled steak and all the trimmings.

Sunday opened with the 28 gauge and some outstanding scores: Paul Newman, Richard Funk, Andrew Benson and Dennis Parkison each shot a 100 and met at the end of day to determine the winner. Andrew Benson was the first to be excused with a miss and took AAA1. Paul Newman’s miss gave him third place, leaving Parkison and Funk to battle for champ. Funk had a miss on the next station, giving Parkison gun champ with his first-ever 100 straight in any gauge. There is every indication that Dennis will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.

When it was time for the .410, the sunny weather disappeared, the wind rose and the rains fell. The weather change was not a challenge for Matt Fallon; a score of 99 and three clean stations in a shoot-off made him Champion. Adam Roberts’s 99 and a strong presence in the shoot-off placed him as the runner-up, and Mike Gerschick, also with a 99, placed third. On the AAA podium were Van Lewis, Lauren Burge (Lady Champion) and Greg VanBelois. Merril Stanfield was Lady runner-up and Jo Ellen Collin Lady third.

Richard Funk
Richard Funk

HOA Champion with a 397 was Richard Funk, followed by Andrew Benson at runner-up and Junior Champion and Van Lewis at third. Mike Gershick earned AAA1 and Paul Newman AA1. Lady Champion was Lauren Burge with a 386 and Jo Ellen Collin runner-up with a 384.

This event could not have taken place without the extraordinary membership of the club. GPGC is fortunate to consist of people that generously give of their time and talents to ensure this shoot is produced. A big thank you is extended to the many volunteers that loaded houses, cleaned fields, ran the kitchen and manned the grill. Thank you also to the team of Mike Skidmore and Jim Speer who made registration and record-keeping seamless. Finally, the Texas referee staff, headed by Tamme Cervenka, lent their usual expertise the tournament and deserves our gratitude.

It you have never been to a Grand Prairie shoot, consider putting us on your 2019 competition schedule. The next registered event will be the Penwell in April, and it would be an excellent opportunity to experience great shooting and Texas hospitality.

– Contributed by Tracy Ragle

Salisbury Gun Club Honors Referee Ray L. Lerner

By

Ray L. Lerner, well-known and respected skeet referee throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, was a surprised honoree on Saturday, June 22 during the Brad Rivenburgh Open when he received a Lifetime Membership in the Salisbury Gun Club and a standing ovation from his friends.

Like many referees, Ray became interested in skeet first as a shooter, then in 1977 began learning his trade at the Fairfax Rod and Gun Club under the tutelage of Roy Winkler. Ray explained, “We formed a study group so we could discuss the rules of skeet, pick out various rules, and review specific ways of applying them to situations we might come up against in the real world. That was the beginning of my training, and it has served me well over all these years as my foundation for making difficult calls.”

When asked if he thought the rules of skeet were fair to all shooters, Ray replied, “I believe so. Basically, the rules serve everyone the same. The rules of skeet shooting should not be used to help or hurt any individual shooter, but rather to level the playing field so that no shooter can have an unfair advantage over another. The rules let me treat all shooters the same to the best of my ability. Maybe the only exception is when I have a new shooter to the game in my squad. I try to keep an eye on that one and make sure he/she does not get excited or nervous and call for the wrong bird or call for a bird with an empty gun – you know, stuff like that.”

“Over the years I’ve been associated with many wonderful and gracious people, but none that I can recall who were more so than Wayne Mayes,” said Lerner. “He was always respectful of new shooters as well as veterans of the game, and of course, he was such a wonderful shot. I will always remember making a difficult call on a member of Wayne’s squad, and after the shoot Wayne came over, stuck out his hand, and said, ‘Congratulations, you made the right call, and I don’t believe everyone would have gotten it right.’ Wayne Mayes, can you imagine that?

“Naturally, I’ve refereed for a few who did not enjoy Wayne’s reputation,” he continued. “There was this one character who had a habit of having a misfire on high 2, which essentially gave him unfair practice on that target. Sure enough, he tried that trick on me, but I was ready. I took out a black marking pen and put a big X on that shell, looked him in the eye and said, ‘I assume we won’t have any more problems here.’ We both understood that meaning, and there were no more issues.”

Another special memory for Lerner was refereeing for a near-perfect squad. “Over the years, I’ve pulled for some of the best shooters in the world, many achieving perfect 400X400 scores, but only once did I pull for a squad that I thought would go 500X500, with all five shooters going 100 straight. Unfortunately, one shooter lost a bird in the last round, giving the squad a 499. Still, I remember that being a thrill for me, and I can tell you I was working hard that day.”

Ray’s friends describe him as a quiet, unassuming man with a strong sense of fair play and a huge family of friends in the skeet world. They say he always shows up well prepared and gives all shooters the opportunity to perform to the best of their ability. After more than 40 years of dedicated service from Lerner, the shooters he serves wish him many more successful years of officiating skeet.

– Contributed by Philip Cathell

Tuffy’s Pet Food Open at Fort Thunder

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L-R: Jack Sveningson, David Gaboury, Raymond Polensky, Mark Vanderbloomer, Bob Rick, Scott Melchisdeck, Roland Hanson.

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

In the 12-gauge event, Scott Melchisedech shot a perfect 100 to win class A and gun champion. Runner-up was Mark Vanderbloomer (97) and third was Bob Rick (96). Other class winners were Roland Hanson B1 (96), Raymond Polensky C1 (94), David Gaboury D1 (93) and Stella Raser E1 (85).

Gun champ and class A in 20 gauge went to Bob Rick with a score of 98, followed by runner-up Scott Melchisedeck, also at 98. Other class winners included Mark Vanderbloomer B1 (96) and Raymond Polensky C1 (94).

In the 28-gauge event, Bob Rick won gun champion and class AA first with a score of 98. Winning other classes were Scott Melchisdeck A1 (96), David Michealynn B1 (91) and David Gaboury C1 (97).

Bob Rick shot a 95 in the .410-bore event to win the gun championship and class A first, with Scott Melchisedeck at event runner-up (94). Mark Vanderbloomer won B1 (91), and Jack Sveningson was C1 (88).

In Doubles, Mark Vanderbloomer won the event and B class with a 94. Bob Rick was A1 (92) and Raymond Polesky won C1 (87).

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

– Contributed by Jodi Gluck

Quinn Insurance 200

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Ernie Avolio, Jeff Quinn, Dale Snow (L to R): West Gun Champ Trophies

Meadville Sportsman’s Club in northwestern Pennsylvania held the Quinn Insurance 200 on July 21. The weather was interesting: first flight – partly sunny and cool; second flight – light, but steady rain; third flight – heavy rain throughout; fourth round – overcast and windy; shoot-offs – partly sunny and a bit warmer.

Eighteen shooters shot 200 12-gauge targets each. Dale Snow was HOA champ with a very nice 196; Ernie Avolio was close behind with a 195.

The first 100, the “12-gauge east,” was hotly contested with five shooters – Avolio, Paul Augustin, Steve Best, Mike Rykacewski and Josh Crofutt – nailing 97 targets and vying for the championship. Shoot-offs were needed to determine champion and every class first place except D class. Avolio won the shoot-off of 97s and was champ, with Josh Crofutt taking A1 and Mike Rykaczewski B1. Mark Johnson was C1 after winning a shoot-off of 96s with Kurt Supernowicz. Carl Biddle took D1 outright with his 89, but Marie Palmer had to win a shoot-off of 85s with Willis Proctor to take E1.

A delicious and plentiful lunch of chicken (roasted or fried), potato salad, pasta salad, chocolate chip cookies, and soft drinks was provided by Kevin Withers (The Cooking Caterers).

Dale Snow (L)-HOA and 12 West Champ, Ernie Avolio (R)-HOA Runner-Up and 12 East Champ

The “12-gauge west” began around 3 p.m., as did the heavy rain. The weather was apparently no problem for the shooters, however, as Dale Snow ran them and took the championship outright, and good scores were everywhere. Class winners included Avolio AA1 (98), Scott Holman A1,after a shoot-off of 97s with Augustin and Crofutt, Rykaczewski B1 (96), Supernowicz C1 (95), Biddle D1 (94) and Palmer E1 (91).

Kudos to Samuel Marks who did yeoman service registering shooters, posting scores and managing shoot-offs, as well as keeping a cranky trap in line and pulling and scoring in the pouring down rain. Other referees and helpers included Sam Marks, Keith Snow, Milt Lang, Larry Price, and Mark Johnson – thanks so much, guys.

Many thanks to Jeff Quinn (Quinn Agency, LLC) for sponsoring the shoot. Jeff, being the good neighbor that he is, also presented gun champ and HOA champion and runner-up trophies to the winners.

– Contributed by George Gleich

Paratrooper Open

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The Fort Bragg Clay Target Center in Spring Lake, NC, was the site for the Paratrooper Open on July 6-8, drawing a total of 88 competitors – including 14 youth shooters – from NC, SC, GA, TN, NY and AZ. Despite a rain delay Friday and a heavy downpour during the 12-gauge and into the 20-gauge event, shooters persevered and posted very good scores.

Junior shooter Riley Dellinger won the HOA shoot-off to win the Paratrooper Open with a 395. He had the Paratrooper Trophy in his sight for several years and was happy to accomplish this goal. HOA runner-up was Mark Smith (395), and Stuart Brown (393) was third. HOA plaques were also awarded to Sub-Junior champion, William Davis (357); Junior Champion, Riley Dellinger (395); and Lady Champion, Kristen Masencup (381).

HOA class winners were Jay Bunting AAA1, Scott Graham AA1, Larry Blount A1, Jared Sberal B1, Steve Lloyd C1, Dariel Dellinger D1 and Doug Brown E1.

Riley Dellinger won Doubles with a 99, out-scoring 43 competitors. Chris Bates and Kevin Hostinsky scored 97s and won gun runner-up and third, respectively. Class winners were Jim Lindell AA1, Jay Bunting A1, Carter Brown B1, Steve Lloyd C1 and Tim Dove D1. Sub-Junior Champion was William Davis, Junior was Riley Dellinger, and Kristen Masencup was Collegiate and Lady Champion.

Noah Dove and Larry Blount shot perfect scores in the 12-gauge event. Junior shooter Noah Dove won the shoot-off, with Larry taking runner-up. Jay Bunting won a shoot-off to win gun third with a 99. Class winners were Stuart Brown AAA1, Charles Lawley AA1, Gary Gorrell A1, Jared Sberal B1, Steven Russell C1, Bill Kluttz D1 and William Davis E1. William Davis won Sub-Junior with a 95, Noah Dove won Junior with a 100, and Kristen Masencup won Collegiate and Lady with a 97.

There were four 100 straights to shoot off in 20 gauge: Stuart Brown won champion; Riley Dellinger, runner-up; Richard Nixon, third; and Mark Smith, class A first. George DeSanto won AA1, Jared Sberal B1, Steve Lloyd C1 and Dariel Dellinger D1.

After shoot-offs and dinner Saturday evening, surprisingly, many shooters still had energy to participate in a challenging shooting game where random teams of two shooters shot trap targets from the skeet stations. It was very entertaining and a lot of laughs for the shooters and observers.

Sunday was a nice sunny day for shooting. The 28-gauge shoot-off of 100s resulted in Jay Bunting winning gun champion and Riley Dellinger, runner-up. A shoot-off of 99s determined gun third, David Stevenson, Scott Graham AAA1, Victoria Stellato AA1 and Mark Smith A1. Other class winners were Stephen Campbell B1, Steve Lloyd C1, and Mike Restall D1. Sub-Junior champion was William Davis, Junior champion was Riley Dellinger, and Collegiate and Lady champ was Victoria Stellato.

The final event, .410 bore, was won by Paul Stemac, and runner-up was Jim Lindell. Scores of 97 shot off, with Chris Spinder winning gun third, Riley Dellinger AAA1, Kevin Hostinsky AA1 and Henry Hardin A1. Classes were Mason Watkins B1, Jim Spinder C1 and Doug Brown D1. Sub-Junior champion was William Davis, Junior champion was Riley Dellinger, and Kristen Masencup, Collegiate and Lady Champion.

Several shooters met personal goals at this shoot. Parker Rowan, a Junior shooter, shot his first 25 straight in 12 gauge. Nancy Roberts shot her first 25 straight in 28 gauge.

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