Clay Target Nation

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

3F Summer Classic

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The 3F Club in Lewiston, New York, hosted the 3F Summer Classic on July 19-21. The top-100 shoot was sold out, with 50 shooters attending from New York and Canada. The 3F continues to host one of the top money shoots in New York, with over $3000 added money and complimentary breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails for all shooters.

Friday’s doubles event saw bright, sunny skies and light winds. Congratulations to Don Lewandoski on his first 100 in doubles and winning the championship outright. Dess Ivanov, Peter Bogdon and Rick Laurito, with 99s, shot off for runner-up. After a box and a half, Laurito bested Ivanov. Class winners were Dess Ivanov (AA), Mike Ferchaw (A), Victoria Ferchaw (B), Al Morris (C) and John Cicora (D).

Saturday brought on the heat wave with temperatures in the mid-90s and a heat index of 105 – that’s hot for us northerners. The 12-gauge event was also hot, with five 100s posted by Aaron Benton, Peter Bogdon, Dess Ivanov, Scott Janowski and Ed Smith. After five stations, Bogdon bested Ivanov for the championship. Class winners were Aaron Benton (AA), Mike Ferchaw (A), Bryan Jensen (B), Mark Jesske (C), Al Morris (D) and Steve Dickerman (E).

Following the lunch break, the shooters took to the field for the 28-gauge event, with Aaron Benton posting the lone 100 to win the championship. Dale Patterson, Hunter Dickerman and Colin Smingler with 99s battled it out for runner-up, with Patterson taking the second spot on the podium. Class winners were Hunter Dickerman (AA), Colin Smingler (A), Matt Lenehan (B), Scott Macintosh (C) and Todd Abbey (D).

On Saturday night, shooters were treated to a top-notch dinner, with hors d’oeuvres, shrimp, fruit trays, dessert table, cocktail hour and a traditional roast pig stuffed with chicken halves and all the fixings. It was a meal fit for a king.

Sunday morning’s first flight had challenging lighting conditions, light rain, then partly cloudy and bright sun with the big, white puffy clouds we all like. Rick Laurito’s, Dess Ivanov’s and Aaron Benton’s 99s were high for the 20-gauge. After a lengthy shoot-off, Laurito closed the door on Ivanov for the championship. Class winners were Aaron Benton (AA), Bruce Raymond (A), Aaron Burnett (B), Daniel Lourenco (C) and Todd Abbey (D).

For the .410, the final event of the day, the winds were moderate and the bright sun sweltering hot. A lone 100 was enough for Dess Ivanov to capture the gun championship, and Benton’s 98 took runner-up. Class winners were Steve Wood (AA), Dale Patterson (A), Colin Smingler (B), Scott Macintosh (C) and Steve Dickerman (D).

Aaron Benton captured the HOA crown with a fine 397, withstanding the pressure from Ivanov with a 396 for runner-up. Class winners were Ed Smith (AA), Dale Patterson (A), Mark Jesske (B), Scott Macintosh (C), Steve Dickerman (D) and Jim Hunter (E).

A special thank you to all of our dedicated sponsors, and thanks to Duane Manth and Manth Mfg., without whom we would not be able to offer the added money. Thanks to the venue that has enabled us to grow the shoot year after year. Thanks to Randy Cook for his generous donation for the 20-gauge B-C-D event. Thanks also to our referees and all our volunteers who made this shoot possible: Mike Clarke, Jeff Ventry, Fredo Vanoni, John Lucas, Dave Sobiegray, Rich Falcone, Tim Baldwin, Jackie Ventry and Lisa Kelly. Thank you to all the shooters for making our event a growing success. Please join us again next year and bring along new shooting friends. The 3F will also be a host club for the U.S. Open iShoot. Make it a family vacation, as there are lots of things to do in Niagara Falls, Lewiston and Youngstown, New York.

– Contributed by Dave Sobiegray

Photo ID, left to right – Champions

Peter Bogdon              12-gauge

Aaron Benton              28-gauge & HOA

Dess Ivanov                .410 and & HOA runner-up

Don Lewandoski         Doubles champion

Rick Laurito                 20-gauge

 

 

 

3F Summer Classic

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The 3F Club in Lewiston, New York, hosted the 3F Classic on July 20-22. The top-100 shoot was sold out, with 50 shooters attending from New York, Pennsylvania and Canada. The 3F continues to host one of the top money shoots in New York, with over $3000 added money and complimentary breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails for all shooters. Plans for 2019 include $4000 added money and capacity of 60-plus shooters.

Friday started with Doubles with swirling winds and tough conditions. Ian Smingler emerged as champion with a lone 98, followed by Peter Bogdon’s 97 for runner-up. Class winners were Dan Walker AA1, Jeff Ventry A1, Colin Smingler B1, Garland Taborn C1 and John Cicora D1.

Saturday brought clear and bright sunshine with light winds and temperatures in the 90s to the Niagara region for the 12-gauge event. Targets were perfect, and five perfect scores were posted by Ed Smith, Don Lewandoski, Steve Wood, Jeff Ventry Jr. and Peter Bogdon, who picked up his first 100 straight in registered competition. After 10 stations, Ed Smith captured the crown, with Lewandoski runner-up. Class winners were Steve Wood AA1, Peter Bogdon A1, Bryan Jensen B1, John Cicora C1, Bryan Bale D1 and Randy Cook E1.

Following the lunch break, shooters took to the field for the 28-gauge event, in which Dana Driscoll posted the lone 100 to win the championship. The 99s were called to the shoot-off field to battle it out for runner-up, with Ian Smingler outlasting Steve Wood to for runner-up. Class winners were Steve Wood AA1, Bruce Raymond A1, Bryan Jensen B1, Al Morris C1 and Randy Cook D1.

Sunday morning the thunderstorms and wind hit. By the time the first flight went off, the conditions settled with a slight drizzle and moderate wind, and sunshine emerged for the second half of the 20. The 20-gauge event concluded with two 100s and five 99s being posted. Bernie Lenehan outpaced Jeff Ventry for the championship. Class winners Ian Smingler AA1, Doug Paddock A1, Matthew Lenehan B1, Johnny Sibani C1 and Randy Cook D1.

For the .410 final event of the day, the sun was shining and the winds moderate. One lone 99 was enough for Ed Smith to capture the championship. Three 98s shot off for runner-up, taking only one station for Jeff Ventry to claim runner-up over Matt Kelley and Dave Sobiegray. Class winners Kelley AA1, Sobiegray A1, Dave Troiani B1, Doug Goodman C1 and Jeff Ventry Jr. D1.

Ed Smith captured the HOA crown with a fine 396. Dana Driscoll took runner-up with a 393, and class winners were Matt Kelley AA1, Dave Sobiegray A1, Bruce Raymond B1, Johnny Sibani C1 and Steve Dickerman D1.

Thank you to all of our dedicated sponsors, and special thanks to Duane Manth and Manth Mfg., without whom we would not be able to offer the added money and the venue to enable us to grow the shoot year after year. Thanks to Randy Cook for his generous donation for the 20-gauge B-C-D event. Also, thanks to our referees and all our volunteers who made this shoot possible: Mike Clarke, Jeff Ventry, Garland Taborn, Dave Sobiegray, Rich Falcone, Tim Baldwin, Jackie Ventry and Lisa Kelly. Thanks to all the shooters for making our event a growing success.

Please join us again next year, bring along new shooting friends and pass the word. Make it a vacation – there’s lots to do in Niagara Falls, Lewiston and Youngstown, NY.

– Contributed by Dave Sobiegray

Parsons’ 398 Dominates 3F Summer Classic

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Craig Parsons, 12-, 20-, 28-gauge and HOA Champ; Dave Wilke, 12-gauge runner-up

The 3F Club in Lewiston, New York, hosted the 3F Classic on July 21-23 with 48 shooters attending from New York, Pennsylvania and Canada. The 3F continues to host one of the top money shoots in New York and also maintains Top-100 status. For the 2017 event, over $3,000 in added money was awarded, along with breakfast, lunch, dinner and a cocktail hour for all, thanks to its many dedicated sponsors.

Friday started with the doubles event with four 99s being posted by Des Ivanov, Matt Kelly, Bill Black and Ed Smith. After a lengthy shoot-off, Ivanov emerged as champion, with Kelly as runner-up. Class winners were Don Lewandowski AA1, Bill Black A1, Mike Smith B1, Aaron Burnett C1, and John Yackiw D1.

Saturday brought clear and bright sunshine, light winds and temperatures in the 80s to the Niagara region for the 12 gauge. Seven perfect scores (Mike Ferchaw, Des Ivanov, John Kapron, Matt Littlefield, Craig Parsons, and Juniors Matt Lenehan and Dave Wilke) and eight 99s were posted. After three boxes, Parsons won the championship with Wilke runner-up. Class winners were Lenehan AA1, Colin Smingler A1, Victoria Ferchaw B1, James Johnson C1, Al Morris D1, and Jimmy Hunter E1.

Following the lunch break, shooters took to the field for the 28-gauge event, in which Parsons posted the lone 100 to win the championship. Eight 99s were called to the shoot-off field to battle it out for the second spot. Ed Smith outlasted Littlefield, Kapron, Ivanov, Joe Strazzezeri, Dale Patterson, Mike Ferchaw, and Dave Sobiegray for the runner-up title. Class winners were Kapron AA1, Strazzeri A1, Sobiegray B1 and Bruce Raymond C1.

Sunday morning the weather was still cooperating, with bright sunshine and light winds. The 20-gauge event concluded with four 100s by Kapron, Bernie Lenehan, Parsons and Smith, plus six 99s. Parsons outlasted the field to take the championship, and Smith took runner-up. Class winners were Kapron AA1, Lewandowski A1, Dana Driscoll B1, and Burnett C1.

For the .410, the final event of the day, all eyes were on Craig Parsons, looking for the 400×400. Thirty years ago, Craig posted a 500×500 at the 3F during the 1987 New York State Shoot, but with the lone 100 and his first in the .410, Dale Patterson captured the championship. Parsons, Sobiegray, and Kody Hoth shot off 98s for runner-up, with Hoth prevailing. Class winners Parsons AA1, Sobiegray A1, Victoria Ferchaw B1, Mike Haff C1, and John Yackiw D1.

Finishing at 398, Parsons captured the HOA crown. Des Ivanov and Dale Patterson shot off 395s for runner-up, with Ivanov prevailing. Class winners were John Kapron AA1, Dale Patterson A1, Dave Sobiegray B1, Victor Stirpe C1, and John Yackiw D1.

Thank you to all of our dedicated sponsors, especially Duane Manth and Manth Mfg., without whom we would not be able to offer the added money, and to the venue to enable us to grow the shoot year after year. Thanks to Randy Cook for his generous donation for the 20-gauge B-C-D event. Thanks to our referees and all our volunteers who made this shoot possible, including Mike Clarke, Jeff Ventry, Garland Taborn, Dave Sobiegray, Rich Falcone, Tim Baldwin, Jackie Ventry, and Lisa Kelly.

We invite you to join us next year and make it a vacation. There’s a lot to do in Niagara Falls!

– Contributed by Dave Sobiegray

12-gauge shoot-off

 

 

 

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