Clay Target Nation

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

Paratrooper Open at Fort Bragg Clay Target Center

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Fort Bragg Clay Target Center in Spring Lake, North Carolina, was the site for the Paratrooper Open, July 8-10. A total of 74 shooters competed, with 58 shooting 4 guns. Turn-out was great, and the center was once again in excellent condition, considering it just hosted 81 shooters two weeks earlier for the U.S. Open.   

The weather caused a bit of excitement – in fact, Friday morning it was questionable if we could even hold the shoot as planned. A severe thunderstorm Thursday night and a nearby lightning strike knocked out all the skeet machines. Thanks to the hard work by the staff, trap mechanic and several shooters assisting, parts were replaced and cords rewired in record time. Enough fields were working to start doubles at 1 p.m. and execute the shoot as planned. Another storm Friday afternoon resulted in the doubles finishing Saturday morning. Saturday was a scorcher with the heat and humidity, but Sunday brought clouds and a bit of rain, along with temperatures 20 degrees cooler.

There was a 3-way tie in Doubles with scores of 98. Alison Boyette was champion, Paul Stemac runner-up and Jason Cloninger third. There was also a 3-way tie of 100s in 12-gauge with Alison winning champion, Scott Graham runner-up and Charles Lawley third. With scores of 100, Alison won a shoot-off against Tim Koller to win the 20-gauge championship; Stuart Brown was third. There were seven scores of 100 in 28-gauge, with Richard Nixon winning champion, Chip Simmons runner-up and Noah Dove third. There were shoot-offs of 99s and 98s in .410 bore for the top 3 awards — with Stuart Brown taking champion, Robert Shelley runner-up, and Chip Simmons third.

Stuart Brown won HOA by one target with a 396.  Two 395s shot off, with Alison Boyette winning HOA runner-up and Scott Graham taking gun third.

The weekend concluded with shoot-offs in a Youth Handicap HOA event. Jim Tiner presented awards to the winners:

Sub-Junior / Junior group – Mary Beth Parris 1st, Ridge Pearson 2nd, Addison Wallace 3rd

Collegiate group – Alison Boyette 1st, Henry Hardin 2nd, Noah Dove 3rd.

Belinda and Jim Tiner thank everyone who helped with set-up, serving food, and clean-up to make sure the event was successful and fun for all.  Also, thank-you to the MWR staff who had the facility prepped, resolved major issues that could have affected the shoot, and to Stuart Brown for perfect targets.

– Contributed by Belinda Tiner

Newark Open at Newark Rod and Gun Club

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The 2022 Newark Open at Newark (NY) Rod and Gun Club started out on Friday, July 29, with pretty decent conditions. Six squads of shooters took to the fields, and at the end of the day, Dess Ivanov and Craig Parsons posted the high scores. After a lengthy shoot-off (something less than 10 boxes) Parsons emerged with the title. Canada’s Dan Morris was third. Class winners were John Boone (A), Craig Halstead (B), Al Grundman (C) and Joanna Nichols, (D).

Saturday brought ideal temperatures but plenty of the “Great Lakes puffies” and more breeze than skeet shooters hope for. Even so, and with the aid of finely tuned machines by trap mechanic Pat Breen and Lawry New York orange (black rim targets),  great scores were recorded, including three 100s by Dan Morris, Steve Wood and Scott Janowski.

After the shoot-off dust settled, Dan Morris emerged as champion, Scott Janowski was runner-up and Steve Wood claimed third. Class winners Craig Halstead (A), Dave Sobiegray (B), Doug Goodman (C), Larry Clarke (D) and Joan Paddock (E).

The afternoon brought more of the same conditions until late afternoon, and again three perfect scores were posted. This time, Craig Parsons came out on top, Steve Wood was RU and Dess Ivanov made the podium in third place. Class winners were Dan Morris (AA), Dave Sobiegray (A), Cameron Baker (B), Joan Paddock (C) and Cheryl Henderson (D).

Due to the generous donation of members Cliff Patridge and Pat Breen, we had a 20- gauge B, C, D class handicap challenge, free of charge to all competitors. Newark’s own junior shooter Cam Baker won the event with a fine 98X100, and splitting second and third-place monies were Joan Paddock and Jim Reilly.

Capping off the evening was a dinner provided by the club and catered by Newark’s Nana’s Village Restaurant & Catering.

Sunday brought near-perfect conditions except for a few “puffies” in the middle of the day. 28-gauge was held in the morning and Steve Wood and Dess Ivanov had the two perfect scores, with Dess finishing as champ, Steve as runner-up, and Craig Parsons in third place. Winning the classes were Scott Janowski (A), Craig Halstead, (B) Cameron Baker (C) and Cheryl Henderson (D).

The .410 event brought 99s by Dess Ivanov and Craig Parsons, with Dess winning the championship, Craig runner-up and Dan Morris, third. Walt Aldrich (A), Jim Reilly, (B) Victor Stirpe (C) and John Greco (D)

HOA Champion was Dess Ivanov with an impressive 398X400. Runner-up was Steve Wood with 397X400, and third-place was Craig Parsons with 396X400. Class winners were Clay Tietjen (A),  Jim Reilly (B), Cam Baker (C), Joan Paddock (D). Ivanov was also HAA Champion, Wood was runner-up and Parsons, third.

The club would like to thank everyone that pitched in to make this happen, with a special thanks to the refs that did a great job pushing the buttons for us. We hope to see everyone again next year!

– Contributed by Craig Parsons

Harry Wright Open

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Alessandro Vitale, center, came just short of a clean sweep at the Harry Wright Open at Loch Raven Skeet and Trap Club in Maryland. Vitale was HOA Champion (399×400), HAA Champion (498×500), Doubles, 12-gauge, 20-gauge, and .410 bore champion. Gil Traore was 28-gauge champion. Mark Gay, left, was HOA runner-up and Sam Armstrong third.

 

4th Annual Harry Michelson Memorial at St. Joe Valley

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The 4th Annual Harry Michelson Memorial shoot was held July 15-17 at St. Joe Valley Conservation Club in St. Joe, Indiana. Harry was a beloved referee from Ohio that absolutely loved doing what he did and did it into his 90s before passing away. Because of his love of the sport, his family has generously donated added money to this event in his honor every year. This added money is not only awarded to the event winners and runner-up but spread out among the class winners and runner-up as well. In addition, this year they sponsored the free lunches Saturday and Sunday.

Thirty skeet shooters took to the fields Friday for doubles, and there was some weather to be dealt with. Bryan Rogers won the event with a solid 98, with Bruce Christian, runner-up, on his heels with a 97. Jack Krispin was third, scoring a 96; please pay attention to this name – it will be mentioned often. Class winners were Brent Edwards (AA), Patrick Fowler (A), James Neirzwick (B), Stan Gorgacz (C) and Folke Boman (D).

Saturday appeared to be another rainy day, but the weather held off and offered fantastic shooting conditions, with the scores reflecting it. Forty-five shooters entered the 12-gauge event, resulting in four 100s and five 99s. When the shoot-offs were complete, Jack Krispin was champ with Robert Lopez (all the way from Bulverde, Texas) taking runner-up. Jim Sikes was third, and class winners were previous World Champion Fred Tzschantz (AA), Jeff Pope (A), Jeff Roussey (B), Ron Galloway (C) and William Stroll (D).

Lunch was served by club volunteers, and then off to the fields for the 20-gauge. Forty-three entries, three 100s and five 99s later, shoot-offs began. Local celebrity Owen Knight emerged gun champ with Brent Edwards (another World Champion) as runner-up and Bryan Rogers sliding into third. Class, winners were Jack Krispin (AA), former 28-gauge World Champion Bruce Christian (A), Dan Adam (B), Loraine Malloy (C) and Folke Boman (D).

Sunday saw 42 shooters compete for 28-gauge champion, and the weather was great – no wind and grey skies. There were four 100s and five 99s, with Jack Krispin coming out on top, with Bryan Rogers runner-up and Owen Knight third. Class winners were Brent Edwards (AA), Jeff Roussey (A), Tom Pavlack (B), Stan Gorgacz (C) and William Stoll (D).

Lunch was served again to the delight of the shooters, and the last event of the weekend was ready to go. Thirty-eight shooters participated in the .410, resulting in a lone 100 by Jack Krispin. Fred Tschantz was runner-up and James Sykes third in a shoot-off of 99s. Class winners were Andrew Bielman (AA), David Duncan (A), Larry Israel (B), Kyle LaFountain (C) and Adam Smith (D).

The HOA winner was Jack Krispin with a splendid 399 – he previously shot a 400×400 at the Mid America at St. Joe earlier this year. There was a 3-way shoot-off of 395s, with Fred Tschantz securing runner-up, Bryan Rogers third and Brent Edwards taking AA1. Other HOA class winners were Kyle Krispin (A), William Sorensen (B), Adam Smith (C) and William Stroll (D).

Many thanks to all of the volunteers (and there are many) at St. Joe Valley, with special thanks to Debbi Perry for her assistance behind the computer. And a very special shout-out to Bruce Christian. Without these special folks, great events like this would not happen. Thank you again to the Michelson family for their continued support and to our shooters who attended. We hope to see you next year.

– Contributed by Tom Pavlack

 

L-R: Fred Tschantz (runner-up), Jack Krispin (champion), Bryan Rogers (3rd)

23rd Firebird 500 at Generations Skeet Club

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With a number of campers on site and a three-day span of beautiful weather, Generations Skeet Club in Patton, Pennsylvania, held their 23rd annual Firebird 500. The July shoot was sunny and warm with a light breeze throughout the weekend until an unexpected thunder and lightning storm appeared at 5 p.m. Sunday, which had the last flight’s shooters ducking for cover. Attendance totaled 57 competitors.

Bill Calvert, Alyssa Gormish, Joe Vescovi

Alyssa Gormish took the doubles champion title on Friday with a nice 99, and class firsts went to Chris Kline (AA, 94), Mike Wollard (A, 95), Skip Spessard (B, 95), Rich Rothrock (C, 90) and Mark Jones (D, 89). After the doubles event, the club treated the crowd to pizza and hot wings with refreshments and reminiscent stories throughout the evening.

Saturday morning saw the 28-gauge event, where Joe Vescovi captured the top honor with a 99. Class firsts went to Chris Kline (AA, 98), Jack Harshbarger (A, 98), Michael Vescovi (B, 98), Rich Rothrock (C, 94) and Mark Jones (D, 88). The 12-gauge followed and also included a belt buckle handicap 5-man team shoot. Twelve teams competed, and the final team standing was Mike Wollard, Skip Spessard, Gary Nace, Paul Hunt and Dan Felton. After a shoot-off with Chris Kline, Ryan Holtz and Clay Gormish, Alyssa Gormish added 12-gauge champion to her repertoire of wins for the weekend. Class firsts went to Chris Kline (AA, 100), Ryan Holtz (A, 100), Dan Felton (B, 99), Tim Holtz (C, 99), Chris Cohoon (D, 93), and rookie Tim Serbin captured E1 with an 83 at his first registered shoot.

After shoot-offs Saturday, Generations holds a cocktail party complete with beer, wine, venison cooked on the grill, and smoked cheeses, compliments of chef Joe Vescovi and his helpers. Dinner followed with prime rib beef, barbecue chicken, multiple covered dishes donated by the shooters, and desserts everywhere!

There was to be a surprise award ceremony for George Gleich, but, unfortunately, he was ill and could not attend; however, that did not stop the group from awarding him the first Generations Skeet Club President’s Cup!  Presented by board member Ryan Holtz, the event was streamed via Facebook Live so George and his family could experience the event with us. George has been a tremendous asset to the club and assists in so many ways, from doing shoot write-ups, to refereeing, coaching and attending all events and offering to help. He is a true gentleman of the sport, and we are proud to award him for his service to the skeet community.

Following dinner and the award ceremony is the 3-man blind Calcutta. Teams are chosen at random by computer and then auctioned off to the highest bidder. The cocktail party subsequently – and unashamedly – led to the increased bidding, as a total of over $3200 was bid and collected.

The .410 was the following Sunday morning, and brothers Matt and Ryan Holtz held the winning bid on the 3-man blind champions, taking home $1,000 as the top prize. The winning team of Spessard, Saussure, and Gans III were overheard lamenting their woes of not bidding enough to get their own team!

The .410 champion went to Joe Vescovi for a solid 99. Class firsts went to Kline (AA, 98), Skip Spessard (A, 96), Mark Saussure (B, 95), Joe Gans III (D, 91) and Chris Cohoon (D, 93).

With his first-ever 100 straight, Bill Calvert earned himself the 20-gauge champion title, and thus his hat was properly ventilated by a respectful line of proud friends. Class firsts went to Frank Smithmyer (AA, 98), Mike Naleppa (A, 100), Mark Eckert (B, 98), John Davies (C, 92) and Kurt Fisher (D, 84).

HOA honors went to Joe Vescovi and Chris Kline, each with 394; Alyssa Gormish (388, A and Lady HOA), Skip Spessard (B, 382), Tim Holtz (C, 375), Mark Jones (D, 352) and Zac Sutton (Junior HOA, 374).

Generations would like to extend a gracious thank you to our core of referees: Paige and Andrea McMullen, Rene Calvert, Alex Farrell, Braden Holtz, and all the shooters who assisted. And thank you to Lynn Holtz and all the girls for setting up for the dinner, desserts, and covered dishes, and to all those who helped to clean up the facility after the shenanigans dissipated. This truly is a team shoot with everyone pitching in to do whatever they can to make it fun for the entire group. From the bottom of our hearts, the Generations Family thanks you for your friendship and camaraderie.

– Contributed by Roy Holtz

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