May 12-14 was a great weekend at Blue Rock Sportsman’s Club in North Little Rock, Arkansas, as they hosted one of their premier events, The Rock. The shoot began Friday morning with a 100-target SCTP event, and the participants posted some great scores that foreshadowed what was to come during the main event. For details on the SCTP event, check out the Youth Shooting Development column on page 30 of the August issue.
The Doubles event began Friday afternoon as the rain started to move in. The conditions did not deter Brad Goodart or Brandon Cade, as both posted perfect scores. Goodart defeated Cade for the championship, and Blue Rock member, Clay Baldwin, captured third place after a number of shoot-off boxes. After all the shoot-offs were completed, participants and guests enjoyed free drinks and a great BBQ spread.
The 12-gauge event began Saturday morning under perfect conditions, as the threatening weather passed in the night. Eight competitors managed to break perfect scores, and when all was settled, Benton, Arkansas native James Howey was victorious over runner-up, Michael Schmidt, and third-place finisher, Easlen Moore, my former squadmate. Blue Rock changed the program a little this year to allow participants to shoot the big guns in the morning, meaning the 28 gauge would be shot on Saturday afternoon. Four 100s were posted in the 28-gauge event, and Dennis Burns emerged the winner over Joshua Guess and Paul Newman, who took runner-up and third, respectively.
When the last shots of the evening were fired, competitors were treated to a wonderful shrimp boil with all the sausage, corn and potatoes you could eat. An assortment of complimentary ice cream bars and popsicles was also available throughout the weekend.
On Sunday morning, shooters took the field with the 20 gauge in hand. Thirteen shooters posted perfect scores, and all were eager to battle it out on the shoot-off field. Clay Baldwin earned the championship deep in the second box over runner-up Jake Ratcliff and third-place Jonathan Hopper. In between shooting times, lunch was available free of charge, or you could check out the Elite Shotguns mobile unit run by Aaron Willoughby. Aaron and Dan Lewis were on-site to answer any questions on guns, glasses and all shooting needs. Their customer service is as good as it gets, so make sure to check them out if they are ever in your area.
As usual, the .410 was shot late on Sunday, with three perfect scores posted. Michael “Big Shooter” Schmidt managed to get through the weekend without a miss to post his 27th 400×400 and take home the HOA championship. Brad Goodart and Caile Bradham also broke perfect scores with the little gun. After the smoke cleared, Schmidt took the gun title over Goodart, runner-up, and Bradham, third. These three also stood atop the High Over All podium with Schmidt the champion, Goodart at runner-up and Bradham third, following a 395 shoot-off with Paul Newman and Van Lewis. Katherine Pierce captured the Ladies HOA title in front of second place finisher, Mallory Stanton, and third place, Carol Goodart.
Thanks to all the shoot sponsors, including Kolar, Elite Shotguns, Lincoln Traps and Ducks Unlimited. The support from sponsors makes The Rock and all Blue Rock shoots must-attend events. The hospitality shown by Blue Rock and its club members is unmatched, so if you have never experienced one of their shoots, be sure to make the trip in 2018.
– Contributed by Nathan Boyd
