Clay Target Nation

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

2018 Zone 7 Skeet Championships

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HOA Winners: Steven Bivins (center), Nick Ballentine (left) and Phillip Strelau

The 2018 Zone 7 Skeet Championships were held the last weekend of April at the Kern County Gun Club in Bakersfield, California. This was the third time that the KCGC had hosted the Zone 7 shoot since joining the Zone 7 shoot rotation and the first time they hosted it in the spring.

Zone 7 shooters showed up in full force with 11 of the 13 Zone 7 states represented – so full that some shooters showed up hoping to luck out on an open spot from a late withdrawal when word of a waitlist began to circulate. There were 16 Sub-Junior and Junior shooters who were treated to special goody bags put together by Katie Fry on the KCGC shoot committee.

As the Doubles competition started to heat up Friday morning, Mother Nature decided to treat shooters to a cool, comfortable weekend. Tanner Bissell won the shoot-off for champ over Jack Garner (runner-up and Junior champion), and Nick Ballentine claimed third after a shoot-off against Brett McLaughlin (A1) and Aris Melonas (B1).

The 2018 Zone 7 All-Star Team awards were handed out during the Friday night social at the club. It was a fun-filled, relaxing evening. Thanks go out to White Flyer for helping sponsor the two social events.

The 12-gauge event had its usual showing of 100s. Robbie Lopez claimed gun champ, Nick Ballentine edged close as runner-up and Ryan Meger came in third. From there, 99s took class first spots for Rick Curtin (AAA1), Phillip Strelau (AA1), Tanner Bissell (A1) and Wayne Cagle (B1). The Rookie concurrent proved to be a close race all weekend, with Teresa Buckner taking rookie champion for the 12-gauge event.

Lopez returned to the champ spot on the podium with a 100 in the 20-gauge event, beating Cash Farnworth, who turned in his first 100 straight. Matt Rittman bested the crowd of 99s for third. Kaitlyn Koenig was Lady champion, and Buckner took the Rookie championship by one bird over Chanson Yang.

Nick Ballentine continued to step up on the podium, this time as 28-gauge champion, followed by Jack Bernardi (runner-up) and Billy D. Williams (third). The Junior concurrent is always impressive to watch, and this time, local shooter Joe Fry finished as champion over Ryan Meger and Steven Bivins. The Sub-Junior race was tight all weekend as Stephen Hendrix finished as champion with his 93, followed by Tais Perunova (92), Lola Fitzgerald (91) and Zyler Thomas (90).

All eyes were on the scoreboard as the .410 scores began to come in. Phil Strelau posted a 98 and a shoot-off win for champ over Jordon Hirschi (runner-up) and Steven Bivins (third). This set up the HOA championship shoot-off between Bivins, who prevailed to win the championship, Ballentine (runner-up) and Strelau (third). The Sub-Juniors continued to make their mark with Stephen Hendrix as Sub-Junior champ, Lola Fitzgerald collecting a D1 award and Tais Perunova the E1 spot. Kaitlyn Koenig took Lady champion honors, and Chanson Yang was Rookie Champ.

The Zone 7 Skeet Association would like to thank the KCGC staff and shoot committee for their efforts in ensuring a great shooting venue.

– Contributed by Gail Lambrecht

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Dess Ivanov Wins WorldWide Electric Spring Classic

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(L-R) Shoot Sponsor Rick Simmons of WorldWide Electric, 12 Ga. A-Class Champ Rick Ayers, HOA Champ Dess Ivanov, HOA RU Steve Wood, HOA A-Class Champ Dan Walker, and Shoot Sponsor Fred Rosen of WorldWide Electric.

Victor Rod and Gun Club hosted the third annual WorldWide Electric Spring Classic, the “Richest Little Shoot in New York State,” on April 29. This 12-gauge and Doubles one-day event kicks off the registered skeet season in western New York. Enticed by $2000 in added money, 43 shooters took to the fields to test their skeet shooting skills. In addition to the added money, the owners of WorldWide Electric also provided complimentary polar fleece jackets for the shooters. Needless to say, the shooters were in very good spirits as they gathered in the clubhouse in anticipation of the day’s events.

After a long winter, the shooters were hoping for a nice spring day. But it was not to be had as a nice little dusting of snow welcomed the shooters. Shooters from this region are a hearty bunch though, so the weather was not a deterrent, just something to joke about. More importantly, the shooters were able to meet and catch up with old friends. The clubhouse was very quickly engulfed in the camaraderie that comes with skeet tournaments. The club was in excellent shape, and the shooters were delighted with the newest capital improvements to the facilities and fields that enhance the shooting experience.

The morning started with the 12-gauge event. Although this is one of the first registered shoots of the year in western New York, the shooters were ready to post mid-season scores as evidenced by two 100s and four 99s in the 12-gauge event. Squad mates Dess Ivanov and Steve Wood took their 100s to the shoot-offs. Dess prevailed as 12-gauge champ in a lengthy shoot-off, with Steve being the runner-up. Four more shoot-offs were required to decide the class champions. Other 12-gauge winners included Mat Kelley (AA), Rick Ayers (A), John Mutchler (B), Victoria Barner (C), Victor Stirpe (D) and Joe Messineo (E). By the way, 12-gauge E class champ Joe Messineo was shooting in his first registered skeet event! We look forward at seeing Joe at future skeet tournaments.

At midday, the shooters were drawn to the clubhouse for a delicious lunch. The snow and light rain that adorned the morning had stopped and the weather turned pleasant, at least by western New York standards. The afternoon was devoted to Doubles. Dess Ivanov bested the field with a fine 98, claiming the Doubles champion title. Scott Janowski and Steve Wood posted 97s in Doubles, and after a short shoot-off, Scott emerged as the Doubles runner-up, with Steve Wood claiming A1. Other winners were Don Lewandoski (AA), Ricky Laurito Jr. (B), John Quealy (C) and Doug Goodman (E).

For the fifth year in a row, a shoot-off was not required to crown the HOA champ. Dess Ivanov’s excellent 198×200 bested the field of shooters by one target over runner-up Steve Wood. Dess has been working very hard to hone his skeet skills. He has made himself into a force to be reckoned with on the skeet fields. A shoot-off of three shooters was required to determine the AA class champion. Rick Ayers came out on top to become the AA Doubles champ. Other HOA class winners were Dan Walker (A), Victoria Barner (B) and Doug Goodman (C).

Like so many other clubs, Victor Rod and Gun Club is an all-volunteer organization. The club’s mission is to provide a safe, recreational shooting experience for its members and guests. The club members did a great job of preparing for the shoot and working during the day of the shoot. Everything ran smoothly from registration through shoot-offs. Special thanks go to shoot chairman, Andy Nolan, and his team for their efforts to make the administration process efficient. The shooters and referees noticed the effort and were appreciative.

We cannot thank enough Fred Rosen and Rick Simmonds, owners of WorldWide Electric Corporation, for their generosity in sponsoring this shoot. WorldWide Electric Corporation is a domestic importer of electric motors, drives, and speed reducers.

We also want to thank Chief Referee Dan Caryl and his crew of referees. The referees did a fantastic job as always. Most importantly, we would like to thank the shooters. Without shooters willing to travel from across the region to participate, we could not have a successful shoot. We are very fortunate to have such a passionate group of skeet shooters in this part of the country. We hope to see them all again in 2019!

– Contributed by Wes Bailey

Photo by Jim Spotts

Jim Hart Wins the Virginia Open at Fairfax Rod & Gun

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Fairfax Rod & Gun Club, located in Manassas, Virginia, hosted its first 4-gun shoot of the 2018 season during the weekend of April 20. The competition included 66 shooters, several of which were new shooters and new to the 4-gun format.

Jim Hart shot amazingly across all events during the weekend to take HOA Champion. Clay Gormish finished as HOA runner-up, with the legendary Bob Myers finishing up third overall.

Jeff Bond, a long-time member of Fairfax Rod & Gun, recently took over responsibilities for managing NSSA shoots at Fairfax and he is off to a great start. Jeff worked to recruit several new shooters, including many club shooters who had previously shot only a 50-target format during the Thursday night club league. 

Due to Jeff’s efforts to revitalize the Fairfax skeet community and grow the sport, he was able to recruit six new shooters who joined the NSSA over the weekend, receiving a one-year complimentary membership to the association. Kudos to Jeff! While the shoot wascomprised mostly of local Virginia shooters, the Virginia Open also hosted several visitors from New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Transitioning out of what was a very cold winter in the Mid-Atlantic, shooters were blessed with wonderful weather conditions. In the Doubles event, Jim Hickerson was gun champion, with Jon Honey earning the runner-up position and Dick Weinley finishing up in the third place. Cynthia Yellen (who also happens to be Jon Honey’s amazing mother) earned the Ladies Champion title.

In the 12-gauge event, Jim Hart shot his first 100 of the year to claim gun champion. Alan Gale earned runner-up and Mike Ramsey took third, beating out three others in a shoot-off on Saturday evening. Meredith Tunick was Ladies Champion. 

John Snyder shot a perfect 100 during the 20-gauge event and took the gun champion title, with Brian Platt taking the runner-up spot after beating a competitor in a shoot-off. Bob Myers claimed third for the 20 gauge, and Meredith Tunick was the Ladies Champion.

Fairfax Rod & Gun Club members hosted the shooters and their guests for dinner on Saturday night, providing a traditional meal which featured steaks and several accoutrements. The club takes great pride in continuing to offer competitors a delicious meal as part of the competition, as it promotes community, fellowship, and a friendly environment to re-live all of the missed targets of the day.

In the 28-gauge event, Clay Gormish took the top spot as gun champion, with Dick Weinley earning the runner-up spot and John Snyder finishing up in the third position after a hard-fought shoot-off. Ladies Champion was Meredith Tunick.

Jim Hart earned gun champion in the .410 event, with Dick Weinley coming in as runner-up, and Fairfax Rod & Gun Club President Jeff Bolster claiming third. Meredith Tunick was Ladies Champion.

With all of the side bets and side games (including the 3-Man Blind, which was split between two teams), 31 shooters in total received money back. The Virginia Open also incorporated the B-C-D-E 12-gauge option, in which eight shooters participated.

A huge thanks to club manager Jamie Martin who does more work in a shoot weekend than most of us do in a month. Thanks also to all the referees, cooks and volunteers that helped to make it all come together.

– Contributed by Meredith Tunick

South River Open

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Harris County Shotgun Team participants & coaches.

South River Gun Club in Covington, Georgia, hosted the South River Open on April 14-15, 2018. Saturday was sunny, yet a bit breezy – pleasant enough weather for the 12-gauge event, with 55 youth and 25 adults, for a total of 80 shooters participating.

High score posted was 99 by Noah Adair (Triple-Sub/Collegiate), Joe Dickson (Senior/Retired Military) and Thomas Miles (Sub-Junior). Miles missed on station 4, first lap, earning third honors (Sub-Junior champion), while Adair pushed Dickson until he missed his second target on station 4 on the third pass, so Dickson was runner-up (Senior and Retired Military champion), and Adair won 12-gauge event champion (Triple-Sub and Collegiate champion). Kadie Anderson took Sub-Junior runner-up (93), and Ashton Curry won Sub-Junior third (88). Alison Boyette took Junior champion over Graham Hasty in a quick shoot-off of 98s. 97s shot off for third and 1-1 points, with Avery Lawski over William Whitten. Lady honors were clean as Boyette (98), Anderson (93), and Addison Samson (82) stood on the winners’ podium. Anderson also snagged Lady Sub-Junior champion, while Boyette cinched Lady Junior Champion.

As a fun aside, the youth created 3-man teams in Sub-Junior and Junior. Sub-Junior winning teams were: champion – Harlan Brooks, Colton Patterson and Evan Page with 268/300; runner-up – Clay Weaver, Garrett Wood and Ashton Curry with 264/300; third – Maddox Diehl, Brandon Beaudoin and Elizabeth Whitten with 220/300.

Junior winning teams were: champion – Avery Lawski, Alison Boyette and Daniel Ingram, 280/300; runner-up – Graham Hasty, Izaih Holland and Logan Hunsinger, 273/300; third – Parker Diehl, Will Whitten and Blake Everson with 272/300. The youth all enjoyed getting to stand on South River’s new podium, designed and built by South River’s maintenance crew, steered by Josh Henderson. Alli Grey Everson won a Beretta Tervis Cup in a random drawing. Anderson broke her first 25 in the 12-gauge event.

The 20-gauge event was sandwiched in between the morning and afternoon 12-gauge shooters, with 37 participating. Two perfect scores were posted, Avery Lawski (Junior) and Cannon Petitjean (Triple-Sub), with his first perfect 20-gauge score. During their shoot-off, each missed on station 3, then got serious for 2 ½ trips around the pads before Petitjean let a low 4 slip by, grabbing 20-gauge runner-up (Triple-Sub champion), and Lawski taking 20-gauge champion. Third was up for grabs with Adair (Triple-Sub/Collegiate), Dickson (Senior/Retired Military) and Boyette (Junior/Lady) headed onto the field. Boyette dropped one on the first lap across the field, while Adair and Dickson pushed each other around the stations four times before Adair dropped a high 4, giving Dickson the small gap he needed to grab 20-gauge third (Senior/Retired Military champion. Sub-Junior champion honors went to Miles (98), Anderson (95) and Clay Weaver (78). Daniel Ingram took Junior third (93) over Luke Weaver in a quick shoot-off. Peyton Strickland took Lady third honors. Kadie Anderson broke her first 50 in the 20-gauge event. The field was full as friends and squad mates shot her hat that evening to celebrate her day’s milestones.

Sunday’s weather was downright miserable; however, the wind was no longer much of an issue. Raingear was put to the test – some failed miserably and got tossed in the trash bin. The temperatures were cooler and with the steady rain, it was a challenge to stay warm. Twenty-two hearty souls were tough and stood in the rain, posting quite a few strong scores despite the weather. In the 28-gauge event, Lawski and Jay Tompkins posted straights, so they headed to the field for braggin’ rights. Lawski let a high 5 slip by on the first go-around, and Tompkins took advantage, smacking his pair to claim 28-gauge champion, and Lawski took runner-up and Junior champ. Adair and Boyette took to the field to shoot off their 99s for third honors. Adair hit everything, securing third (Collegiate and Triple-Sub champion). Boyette took class honors (Junior runner-up and Lady champion) again. Miles and Anderson (Lady runner-up) took Sub-Junior titles; Ingram took Junior third; Strickland took Lady third.

In typical fashion, final results in HOA depended on .410. One lone 99 was posted by Petitjean to snare .410 Bore Champion (Triple-Sub champion) unchallenged, while celebrating another personal best. Adair (Collegiate/Triple-Sub) and Matthew Long (Triple-Sub) both posted 97s, so they were in contention for runner-up and third. Matthew’s 97 was also a personal best; he missed early and Adair closed the door to take runner-up, and Long took third in the event (Triple-Sub runner-up). Sub-Junior went to Miles and Anderson; Junior went to Lawski (93), Boyette (92) and Ingram. Lady winners were Boyette, Anderson and Strickland.

HOA Champion was well deserved for Petitjean, with a 395, one final personal best for the weekend. Runner-up (Triple-Sub runner-up, Collegiate champion) went to Adair with a 394. Adair is quickly coming to the end of his collegiate career, with graduation ceremony usurping this year’s Krieghoff Masters, as he claimed champion honors in all collegiate events. Third was up for grabs at 390 for Dickson, squad mate and mentor of Lawski, who broke half, thus establishing third for Dickson (Retired Military champion and Senior champion). Podium opened for the youth again for Sub-Junior Miles and Anderson; Junior Lawski, Boyette and Ingram; and Lady Boyette, Anderson and Strickland.

South River Gun Club used a new-to-skeet online squadding program, PreSquad (presquad.com). It’s been used successfully in the trap world for several years now. The benefits are instant confirmation of rotation and ability to choose squad mates. Beta testing went well and will be used for the remainder of the shoots at South River Gun Club this season and the upcoming Georgia State Skeet Championship. Be sure and check out the presquadding program; perhaps it will be something your own club could use.

Thanks to our ever-faithful referees: John Hancock, Myrl Miller, David DePreta, Deborah Rentz and Norma Rickmond, who never fail to go above and beyond the call of duty at every tournament. The next tournament offered at South River Gun Club will be the Georgia State Skeet Championships, June 22-24, 2018. It is an open shoot, so if you are in the area, make plans to join us for warm temperatures, quality targets, delicious food, great prizes for residents and quite a few of those highly coveted All American points.

– Contributed by Tami Daniel-Means

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Ken Barnes Open

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HOA Winner Dan Lewis gets the big beer bottle. RU – Dan Jones, 3rd – Nick Ballentine

There was another great ending to a shoot that was first started back in the early 1980s at the Kern County Gun Club in Bakersfield, California. Perfect targets and a perfect background always make for good scores, and this year was no different. A near-perfect 99 won the .410 bore, and 100s were needed in all the other guns.

The highlight of the shoot was 14-year-old Cooper Gerecke breaking his first 100 straight in 12 gauge and going on to win the gun championship. Talk about excited! All-American shooters Dan Lewis and Dan Jones took the HOA championship and runner-up. 

Over $20,000 was paid out this year, with some gunners getting over $2,000. This is due to the fact that there is big money given for gun and HOA champs, plus guaranteed money given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places for every class in every gun, over and above the regular class money entry fee payback. It really works and makes this event one of the top money shoots across the nation. 

We were visited by NSSA president John Haugh, who participated and donated some of his winnings to the 2019 Ken Barnes Open. Our thanks to John.  

We would love to see more of you next year, so put this event on your bucket list.

– Contributed by Ken Barnes

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