The official magazine of the National Skeet Shooting Association and the National Sporting Clays Association
The NSSA Krieghoff Masters, held at Forest City Gun Club in historic Savannah, Georgia on May 3 – 6, had a great turn out with fantastic weather in this beautiful city. Enjoy this collection of photos showing many of the event’s participants.
Photos by Thaddius Bedford, Liquid Image
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The 2018 Penwell Memorial Skeet Shoot at Grand Prairie Gun Club was held April 6-8, 2018. The weather in Texas is always a challenge in April, and this year was no exception. A cold front brought temperatures in the 40s with a strong north wind on Saturday.
Doubles began on Friday with milder temps, as the cold front was not there yet. Fifty shooters took the fields, and Grand Prairie’s own Jason Foshea only dropped one target to win the championship with a 99. Will Chisum was runner-up with a 98, and Nicholas Godfrey was 3rd with a 97.
The 12 and 20 gauge were on Saturday, after the cold front arrived. Conditions were very cold and windy, but the shooters prevailed. Will Chisum (another Grand Prairie member) won the 12-gauge championship with a 99. Nicholas Godfrey (also a Grand Prairie member) took runner-up in a shoot-off with 98. GP member Michael Dennis was 3rd.
Michael Lee (not a GP member, but wants to be) won the 20-gauge title in a shoot-off with Jason Foshea, runner-up, after both posted 99s. Nicholas Godfrey was 3rd with a 98 – great shooting in these events under the conditions that existed. The fireplace in the clubhouse was very popular when the squads came in to warm up. As always, our volunteers provided great meals for everyone, and the Penwell signature shrimp boil Saturday evening proved to be a huge success.
Sunday provided milder temperatures and calm wind. Andrew Benson was the 28-gauge champ, winning the shoot-off of 99s with Darian Mock (another GP member), runner-up, and Johnny DeLeon 3rd.
Darian Mock won the shoot-off of 96s for .410 champ, with Jason Foshea runner-up and Robert Ellington 3rd.
At the close of the day there were three 388s vying for HOA champ. Michael Lee prevailed for champ, Jason Foshea took runner-up and Nicholas Godfrey was 3rd.
Another great Grand Prairie Gun Club skeet shoot is now in the books, and a good time was had by all. This only happens with the help of all the volunteers. For those that run the shoot, maintain the facilities, prepare the meals, load the targets and clean up – thank you! These shoots would not be the success they are without you. And if you have not been to a Grand Prairie Gun Club shoot, you need to put one on your shoot calendar. It’s a great time, good targets and spirited competition. The World Warm-Up in September is our next event. Hope to see you there.
– Submitted by Randy Walhood
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The Poco Loco is a 4×100 .410 shoot that has seen increased participation every year since it was first held in 2010. St. Joe Valley Conservation Club, home of the Kolar Mid-America and the Harry Michelson Open, hosts the Poco Loco, which has seen only two 400 straights in its history, both shot by Paul Giambrone, III.
At this year’s event on June 24-25, 85 competitors took to the fields for the first event Saturday morning under blue skies, with light winds. Two shooters posted perfect scores: Paul Giambrone and Nick Marsden, who came all the way from England. Though the day started out promising, the wind picked up considerably for the afternoon event and stayed around for the shoot-offs. As a result, it didn’t take long for Marsden to claim the championship over Giambrone in a mere four stations. Reg Hooper was 3rd alone, with a 98. AAA1, AA1 and A1 were all won with 97s by Al Magyar, Dave Scott and first-timer Pam Larrowe, also Lady Champion. Bill Costello (B), Trish Magyar (C) and Steve Wilson (D), rounded out the class winners.
Giambrone saw some redemption in the afternoon event by winning outright with the lone 99, but, alas, will have to wait until next year for a shot at another 4-by-4. Five 97s shot off for the remaining spots on the podium. Even though there were more shooters, it took only one more station to sort out all the places, with Sam Armstrong, runner-up; Bruce Poyer, 3rd; Gordon Novak, AAA1 and Ed Dean, A1. Fred Tschantz (AA), Dwight Moore (B), Trish Magyar (C) and Steve Wilson (D) all won their class without firing another shot. Becky McCumber won the shoot-off for Lady Champ.
In between events we took a break to dine on the fabulous fare offered by Jim Casaburro, owner, and his number one chef, Al, from everyone’s favorite local restaurant, Casa Ristoranti Italiano, along with a variety of pies and cookies from the Amish Dutch Heritage bakery. Then, it was back to the fields for the afternoon event. After the completion of shoot-offs everyone was treated to more fine fare.
Sunday dawned with scattered clouds and, much to everyone’s chagrin, continued breezy conditions. With the wind behind the high house, the baseline targets were a challenge for everyone. Three 98s topped the scoreboard. It took only two stations for Giambrone to claim victory over Dennis Jameson (RU) and Jadon Butler (3rd and Junior Champ). Armstrong (AAA) won his shoot-off, as did Mark Molenaar (AA), W.C. Parks (A) and Reg Hooper (B). Monty Murphy (C) and Steve Wilson (D) were at the top of their classes. Larrowe was Lady Champ..
The afternoon’s fourth and final event saw a lone 100 posted by Giambrone. There were no 99s, so 98s shot off for the remaining spots on the podium. Novak quickly dispatched David Schiebel, 3rd. Armstrong won his shoot-off for AAA1, and Moore, his for B1. Tschantz (AA), John McGinnis (A), Murphy (C) and Wilson (D) rounded out the class winners. Larrowe repeated as Lady Champ after a three-way shoot-off.
Though there was no 4-by, Giambrone shot 397, dominating the High Over All. Next was Armstrong at 386 for runner-up, followed by Novak with 385 for 3rd. Magyar was AAA1 with 384; Tschantz, AA1; Marsden, A1; Hooper, B1; Trish Magyar C1; and Wilson, D1. McCumber was Lady HOA Champ.
For those of you who think the Poco Loco is only for AAA and AA shooters, nothing could be further from the truth. More than three-quarters of the shooters were in classes A through D, with winnings of nearly $20,000! There were also free Ladies handicap events totaling $1,000, with the lion’s share going to B and C class shooters; $2,000 added money to Class HOA; $1,500 added to Concurrent HOA. And, last but not least, the very generous “Juan” Waters subsidized $160 of each four-gun entry for every Collegiate, Junior and Sub-Junior shooter to help defray their fees. Oh, and did I mention the two days of great food included with your entry?
Of course, the shoot, with all of its goodies (this year’s entry gift was an engraved pocket knife plus towels and t-shirts for first-timers) and the huge cash payouts would not be possible without the sponsorship of the “three Juans” – John Haugh, John Ramagli and John Waters – especially John Haugh. The referees are the best of the best. The members and volunteers from St. Joe Valley Conservation Club also deserve a hearty “thank you” for their tireless efforts. I encourage you to attend one of St. Joe’s shoots – it’s a top-notch facility, and the hospitality of the members is unsurpassed. And, if you are feeling just a little crazy, maybe the Poco Loco will find its way onto your shoot calendar next June 23-24.
Poco Loco Scores |
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| Place | Name | Score |
| HOA Champion | Paul Giambrone | 397 |
| HOA Runner-up | Sam Armstrong | 386 |
| HOA Third | Gordon Novak | 385 |
| HOA Lady Champion | Rebecca McCumber | 380 |
| HOA Lady Runner-up | Pam Larrowe | 378 |
| HOA AAA1 | Al Magyar | 384 |
| HOA AAA2 | Ben Gallup | 382 |
| HOA AA1 | Fred Tschantz | 382 |
| HOA AA2 | Brent Edwards | 377 |
| HOA A1 | Nick Marsden | 384 |
| HOA A2 | W.C. Parks | 384 |
| HOA B1 | Reg Hooper | 381 |
| HOA B2 | Dwight Moore | 373 |
| HOA C1 | Trish Magyar | 353 |
| HOA C2 | John Wilmesher | 349 |
| HOA D1 | Steve Wilson | 331 |
| HOA D2 | Barney Laverty | 297 |
| HOA Junior Champion | Jadon Butler | 372 |
| HOA Triple Sub Champion | Paul Giambrone | 397 |
| HOA Sub-Sub Senior Champion | W.C. Parks | 384 |
| HOA Sub-Senior Champion | Sam Armstrong | 386 |
| HOA Senior Champion | Al Magyar | 384 |
| HOA Veteran Champion | Jimmy Smith | 365 |
| HOA Retired Military Champion | Dennis Jameson | 383 |
| HOA Military Veteran Champion | Sam Armstrong | 386 |
| Event 1 Champion | Nick Marsden | 100 |
| Event 2 Champion | Paul Giambrone | 99 |
| Event 3 Champion | Paul Giambrone | 98 |
| Event 4 Champion | Paul Giambrone | 100 |
Last year rain canceled the Sunday portion of the Warren “Mr. Penny” Penwell Memorial Shoot at Grand Prairie Gun Club. For this year’s shoot on April 7-9, there was no rain but a very gusty wind.
The shoot was well attended, with 50 shooters for Doubles on Friday afternoon. Clay Baldwin of Arkansas claimed the champion spot with a 97.
Saturday provided another day of wind for the 12- and 20-gauge events. Clay Baldwin won the 12 gauge in the shoot-offs with a 99. Grand Prairie’s own Nick Godfrey posted the only 100 in the 20 gauge to win the 20-gauge event without a shoot-off.
Sunday brought yet more wind for the 28-gauge and .410 events. Lauren Burge won the 28 gauge in a shoot-off, and Clay Baldwin won the .410 event with the high score of 96.
The High Over All went to Nick Godfrey with a 390 – very impressive for the wind conditions that everyone had to contend with.
Winners were awarded beautiful knives, handmade by Donny and Randy Penwell.
As always, no one ever goes hungry at a GPGC skeet shoot. Thanks to the many volunteers who worked the kitchen to provide breakfast, lunch and the evening shrimp boil. Thanks also to the many volunteers who load the houses and pick up the empty hulls, and to Mike Skidmore and Jim Speer who manned the computer and kept all the scores and events correct. Our club would not be what it is without our volunteers!
Everyone had a great time, and we’re looking forward to our next signature GPGC event, the World Warm-up on September 15-17.
– Contributed by John Nix
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Generations Skeet Club’s 19th annual Firebird 400 was held at their beautiful four-field club near Patton, Pennsylvania on July 7-9. The weather was changeable all weekend, 70 to 80 degrees, cloudy to clear, wet to dry and windy to calm; all-in-all, good weather. Fifty-two shooters shot at least one gun. Chris Kline was HOA Champion with a fine 396 and Joe Vescovi was runner-up with a 393. Missy Vescovi was the Lady HOA Champion.
Doubles were shot on an overcast and windy Friday afternoon with 25 shooters. Mike Wollard’s 98 won him champion honors. Class firsts went to Kline (AA), Pat Leyo (A), Mark Postlewait (B), John Davies (C) and Doug Long (D).
The 28-gauge shooting with 40 participants began on Saturday morning under overcast skies with a few sprinkles. Joe Vescovi shot the only 100 straight and was champion. Class firsts included Kline (AA), Pat Leyo (A), Bob Myers (B), Mara Leyo (C) and Jared Voris (D).
Shooting continued on Saturday afternoon when 45 shooters took the field for the 12-gauge event. Weather included clouds, a few heavy downpours and some sun. Kline posted the only 100 straight and was 12-gauge champ. Frank Smithmyer, Wollard, Pat Leyo, Postlewait, Jared Shaffer and Vance McLaughlin, respectively, were AA, A, B, C, D and E class champs.
As usual at Generations, the Saturday night feast in the youth barn was superb! Joe Vescovi prepared the delicious prime rib. A cadre of ladies, including some of the shooter spouses, worked together to prepare lobster mac-and-cheese and other yummy dishes, complimented by home-made wine and other beverages. The kids enjoyed playing sports at the youth barn each day, and Saturday night the group headed to Lake Eddie to enjoy swimming, jet skiing, tubing, fishing and a campfire.
On Sunday morning, it was time for 42 shooters to take on the .410 bore. The skeet gods were obviously confused by the different scheduling, and the weather was great: cool, clear and no wind to speak of. Joe Vescovi’s 100-straight took the championship outright; class firsts went to Kline (AA), “Frenchy” LaRosa (A), Michael Vescovi (B), Mitch Chirdon (C) and Doug Long (D).
The 20-gauge event was last and took place on Sunday afternoon with 47 shooters. Great weather with a few puffy white clouds prevailed. Kline had the lone 100 and was 20-gauge champion. Bob Rairigh, Ryan Holtz, Fred Wood, Voris, and Becky Myers took firsts in AA, A, B, C and D classes.
The newly engaged Tori Holtz handled registration, scorekeeping and posting; congratulations to Tori and Zach! Michael Vescovi performed chief referee duties, and a fine group of young referees including Paige McMullen, Zach Stoltz, Kelsey Krug, Mikayla Lansberry and Jake Beebe did a great job. Numerous members of the Generations family pitched in as needed to keep things running smoothly.
The three-man blind, based on .410 scores, was won by the team of Joe Vescovi, Jeff Meidinger and Doug Long, each receiving a $50 prize. George Gleich bought the winning team in the blind auction and pocketed $138.
Joe McGarvey and Vance McLaughlin shot monthly targets and applied for Complimentary Limited Memberships to NSSA in June and shot their first registered tournament birds this weekend. Joe shot a nice 85 in Doubles, and Vance took E1 in the 12 and D1 in the 20. Welcome to registered skeet shooting, Joe and Vance!
– Contributed by George Gleich
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