Blue Nose Open

Headlines were just reporting the contagion in China, but 30 healthy shooters came out to the Blue Nose Open at Fairfax Rod and Gun Club (Manassas, Virginia) on the morning of January 25 under warming skies and still air. With near-record warmth, it was one of the best shooting days of the year so far – but more great days have been pre-ordered. However, it was still cool enough to justify a fire in the pavilion, augmented by fresh, hot coffee and even fresher Krispy Kreme donuts made just a couple of hours before. This shoot attracted four brand new shooters into our great world of registered skeet competition.

Gun Champion was captured by Col. T.W. Williams with a solid 98. Runner-up was Spence Miller, and third was awarded to Craig Childress. Winning the classes were Bob Myers (A1), Winston Huang, at his first registered skeet shoot (B1), Collin Christopherson (C1), Kevin Baker (D1) and Becky Myers (E1). No shoot-offs were required. Garrett Baisey captured the Junior Champion spot for his second consecutive shoot. Collegiate Champion went to Adam Bradford, one of our local George Mason University shooters. One interesting result was posted in the options: only one shooter won the Handicap Option with a 100 and took all the handicap money. Consider participating in the options because these side events add another fun dimension to the competitions.

– Contributed by Jeff Bond

After having just survived a partial federal government shutdown and a polar vortex which brought morning temperatures down to single digits just a few days before, the 55 participants in the very first Blue Nose Open at Fairfax Rod and Gun Club (Manassas, VA) had to brave brisk morning temperatures to start. By the last flight, however, temperatures warmed up to the 40s, and skies were clear and the air crisp. With many of the shooters coming out of their winter hibernation, this shoot came within five spots of being full. Three 99s were posted, and after the smoke cleared from the shoot-offs, Muhamed El-Zoghbi (champion), John Murphy (runner-up) and John Daubenschmidt (third^d) agreed that a good time was had by all.

Other notable winners included: Clay Gormish AA1 (98), Bob Myers A1 (98), Alyssa Gormish B1 (96), lan Gale C1 (97), Dan Kuhns D1 (95), Dave Robertson E1 (88). We are also recognizing the new “First Responders” concurrent in all the shoots (established by NSSA at the 2018 World Skeet Championships) and are hopeful that this will become a much more competitive group during the year; Fred Wood won First Responder champ.

These early-year shoots at Fairfax really focus on: 1) getting new shooters involved; 2) introducing league shooters to registered skeet, which results in quite a number of E and D class shooters participating (15 and 8 shooters, respectively); and 3) getting these shooters hooked on our sport and how much fun we all have coming out and busting clays. We all know that the D and E shooters today are the A and AA shooters in later years.

Thank you to all the referees that came out on the cold winter morning. Special thanks also to Jamie Martin for keeping all the machines running smoothly and preparing the fields; Dutch Hillenburg for donating coupons for use in the pro shop; and Connie and Van Keys for the hot chocolate and delicious food available in the food service.

– Contributed by Jeff Bond

Photos by Kevin Baker