Clay Target Nation

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

Newark Open

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The 4th annual Newark Open was held on July 26-28 at the Newark Rod & Gun Club in Newark, N.Y.

We were blessed with good weather and great shooting conditions this year, leading to some excellent scores.

Friday’s doubles event saw Dess Ivanov capture the championship after a shoot-off of 99s with Craig Parsons, runner-up, and Canada’s Dan Morris, third.

Favorable conditions returned on Saturday, and after the smoke cleared, Craig Parsons emerged as 12-gauge champ, with Dess Ivanov as runner-up and Clay Tietjen at third.

More great scores came in the afternoon’s 20-gauge event, including Zach Jacot’s first 100 straight. Congratulations to Zach! On the 20-gauge podium were Steven (Woody) Wood, champion; Zach Jacot, runner-up; and Clay Tietjen, third. Also notable was Brooke Seidenberg’s first 25 straight celebrated by the traditional hat-destroying event, along with Zach’s.

Pat Breen’s 20-gauge handicap event went well with 5 shooters splitting the pot with perfect 100 straights.

Saturday evening’s dinner, delivered by Bad to the Bone Barbecue just as the shoot-offs were concluding, was a big hit again this year, as were the free lunches both Saturday and Sunday.

Once again, Sunday saw excellent conditions and more great scores highlighted by 28-gauge Champion, Clay Tietjen; runner-up Steven Wood; and third, John Boone. The .410 finished up right on time, with Steve Wood on top, Ed Smith runner-up, and Craig Parsons third.

Our new event, the Kolar HOA handicap bracket, was watched closely by everyone as it progressed. At the conclusion of the .410 event, one finalist was decided — Clay Tietjen — and a shoot-off was required to determine his opponent, with Dale (Bob) Patterson advancing. The two decided to forgo the shoot-off and split the pot.

Congratulations to Steve Wood, HOA Champion, with a fine 397X400, runner-up Clay Tietjen (396), and third-place Craig Parsons (394).

– Craig Parsons

 

Bull Run Open

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Fairfax Rod and Gun Club held its 73rd Bull Run Open on July 26-28, the final 5-gun shoot of the year at Fairfax. Coming off the Kolar U.S. Open in June, which was held at 16 clubs and hosted 653 shooters, this shoot was a fine end to the season for 58 members and guests at the beautiful club in Manassas. The shoot attracted 34 doubles shooters on Friday afternoon, with squads enjoying decent weather and a nice warm-up to the main events on Saturday and Sunday. Thomas Allen (FL) was champion, Bob Shelley (MD) was runner-up, and Jim Hickerson (VA) took third.

Saturday morning reflected the biggest number of shooters, with 53 12-gauge competitors battling it out. The shoot had attendees from Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and even Oklahoma! When the dust settled after some good shoot-offs for the 99s, Sam Armstrong earned the Gun Champion title, Alessandro Vitale was runner-up, and Conor Stephens was third. Katie Fichtner was Lady Champ, with Hannah Goddard as runner-up, and Alyssa Gormisch in third. Class champs were Jim Hickerson (AA), James Reinhold (A), Ryan Steward (B), Kevin Baker (C), Chris Nevarr (D) and Jeff Bolster (E).

The 20-gauge event resulted in two 100s, with Conor Stephens and Alessandro Vitale lined up for a challenging shoot-off later in the day. Conor got the edge as Gun Champ after a clean station and Alessandro dropping a second target for a hard-fought runner-up. Katie Fichtner locked in third with the only 99 of the day in 20-gauge. Anthony Jones and Kevin Baker shot off personal best 98s in B class, with Anthony claiming B1 after two targets

Sunday got off to a nice start with 47 28-gauge shooters, all bested by John Snyder with a lights-out 100, which would prove to be the only one of the day. Three 99s came in by lunchtime, with competitors Sam Armstrong, Alyssa Gormish, and Derek Vacco nearing John’s perfection. A shoot-off locked in Sam as runner-up and Alyssa in third. Class champs were Mark Gay (AA), George Giammittorio (A), Derek Vacco (B), Clarence Jones (C) and Phil Jones (D).

The loved and hated .410 bore closed out the weekend on Sunday afternoon. Gil Traore and George Giammittorio posted the winning score of 98 and then fought it out in a shoot-off where Gil won after some tough targets. Sam Armstrong took third with the only 97 of the day. Class champs were Jim Hickerson (AA), John Wells (A), Robert Tinder (B), Anthony Jones (C), and Phil Jones (D). Lady champ was Katie Fichtner, First Responder was Jim Hart, and Retired Military was John Snyder.

HOA Champion was Sam Armstrong (392), runner-up was John Snyder (390) and third was Brown Cribbs (389). Thanks once again to the estate of Roy Winkler for providing high achievement awards to the winners. Of course, we couldn’t do these shoots without our wonderful referees, including Bud Hitchcock (chief), Lonny Evenson, Pepper Morgan and shooting referees: Katie Fichtner, Alyssa Gormish, Michael Johnson, Chris Nevarr, Lee Panella, James Reinhold, Bob Shelley, Conor Stephens, and Ryan and Ben Stewart.

For sure, a highlight of the weekend was seeing club member Brad Olson back at the club for his first 5-gun shoot since going through a serious health scare in 2022. Brad’s commitment to recovery has been nothing short of amazing, and an example for everyone. We’ll be seeing many more broken targets in Brad’s future!

The steak and chicken dinner was cooked to perfection by club president and pitmaster Jeff Bolster, with help from his assistant chefs Lee Panella, Mitch Ballweg, and T.W. Williams. Terri Bolster once again shot 100 straight, along with her banquet preparation, including shopping, chopping, and cooking fantastic sides. Special thanks to all who supported another great shoot at Fairfax. Becky Myers provided flawless shoot management with support from Joe Guadalupe. Jamie, Justin, and Michael kept the club running perfectly and the fields in ideal condition. Kudos to Andy Lawston for feeding a herd lunch in the canteen on Saturday and Sunday, and Bryan Cooper for keeping the Civilian Arms pro shop stocked and open for shooters needing to pick up supplies or ammunition.

– Kevin Baker

       

Photos: 2024 Kolar U.S. Open

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The 2024 Kolar U.S. Open Skeet Championships was a roaring success, despite intense heat at many of the ishoot locations. The HOA title went to Nick Ballentine, shooting at United Sportsmen in California. You’ll read more about the U.S. Open in Clay Target Nation, but until then, enjoy these photos from many of the participating clubs.

Click on photo to enlarge.

Ark Valley Gun Club

photos by Kurt Danielson

 

Army Aviation Shotgun Club

photos by Jennifer Wilson

 

Fairfax Rod and Gun Club

 

Fairfield County Fish & Game

photos by Kevin Baker and Stew McKinney

 

Fort Liberty Clay Target Center

photos by Robert Dudley

 

Missoula Trap and Skeet Club

photos by Paul Queneau

 

National Shooting Complex

photos by Lefty Ray Chapa

 

Palatka Skeet Club

 

Sauk Prairie Trap and Skeet

photos by Paul Friesen

 

United Sportsmen Incorporated

photos by Shakib Akbari

Tom Cutlip Memorial at West Virginia Clays

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The weekend of May 18-19 convened the second annual Tom Cutlip Memorial Skeet shoot hosted by West Virginia Clays shooting center. The weather predictions were perilous at best; however, the clouds opened, and the weather couldn’t have been better for shooting.  As a supporter of SCTP in the tri-state area, we are proud that six SCTP shooters competed in this shoot and performed quite well.

Sean Curtis – HOA CH, 12 GA, 20 GA CH & .410 bore CH. Alexandra McGrew – 28 GA CH

There were 21 shooters in the 12-gauge, with Sean Curtis taking the gun championship with 99, followed by three SCTP shooters: D1 Alexandra McGrew (98), C1 Carter Shafer (97), and E1 Gage Denney (94). Nineteen shooters took to the fields for the 20-gauge, with Sean Curtis again taking gun champ after a shoot-off of 97’s with B1 Mike Adkins, followed by B2 Alexandra McGrew, D1 Steve Layne, and D2 Frank Akers.

Eighteen shooters took the fields for the 28-gauge, with Alexandra McGrew taking gun champ with a fine 97, followed by A1 Sean Curtis, B1 Dan Moore, C1 Carter Shafer, C2 Jill Taylor, D1 Kurt Weisbarth, and D2 Joe Windon. Nineteen shooters participated in the .410  bore, with Sean Curtis taking gun champ with 95 followed by B1 Steve Layne, C1 Alexandra McGrew, D1 Jill Taylor, and D2 Carter Shafer. Sean Curtis was HOA Champion, and class winners were B1 Bob Estep, C1 Alexandra McGrew, C2 Carter Shafer, D1 Frank Akers, and E1 Jon Delph.

Special thanks to Jill Taylor for making registration a breeze and to the folks from Galia County 4-H for providing refreshments and all friends and members who assisted in refereeing and general assistance.  Hope to see you all next year.

– Contributed by David Ashworth

15th Annual Clayton Snow Memorial at Meadville Sportsman’s Club

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The 15th annual Clayton Snow Memorial was held at Meadville Sportsman’s Club (PA) on May 18. Clayton Snow was a long-time member and supporter of this club and was especially interested in encouraging young people to learn to shoot. Sadly, Clayton’s widow Kathleen passed away in September 2023, at the age of 94. Kathleen, the Snow family matriarch, attended and was a staunch supporter of the memorial shoots over the years.

Kody Hoth – 20 GA CH, Evan Martin – 28 GA CH & HOA RU, Dan Berry – HOA CH

The weather was great, despite forecasts all week calling for rain. It was warm and partly sunny most of the day, with light winds and a few white puffy clouds. Twenty shooters (a full slate) participated in this 200-bird, 20- and 28-gauge shoot. The high total score of the day (193) was turned in by Dan Berry; Evan Martin’s 192 was good for HOA runner-up.

The shoot began with the 20-gauge event in the morning. Kody Hoth shot a 99 and was 20-gauge Champion; Jeff Ventry was runner-up with a 98. Class champions included Chris Dole (AA), Martin (A, after winning a shoot-off of 96’s with Tom Shields), Scott Daniels (B, after winning a shoot-off of 97’s with Berry and Joe Fisher), Trevor Hanna (C) and George Gleich (D).

The 28-gauge event took place after lunch. Martin was gun champ after he, Berry (runner-up) and Dave Wilke (A1) shot off their 96s. Other class firsts were Hoth (AA, after he won a shoot-off of 93s with Ventry), Jeff Riddle (B) and Gleich (D, after winning a shoot-off of 81’s with John Tucker).

Samuel Marks handled registration and score posting. Samuel’s dad Sam, Keith and Dale Snow and Mark Johnson pulled and scored. Beckie Snow and her sister Kay oversaw the food: fried chicken, potato and macaroni salad, cupcakes and cookies, yum!

Extra special thanks go to the Snow family for sponsoring this shoot by providing money and locally produced maple syrup as prizes to the gun and overall champs. Snow family members attending the shoot included Clayton’s sons Dale and Keith, Keith’s wife Beckie, and Kay Doctor, Clayton’s daughter. Kay’s sons, Calvin and Blake Doctor made the syrup.

– Contributed by George Gleich

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