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Clayton Snow Memorial Shoot

June 15, 2022 By Cara Woodard

The 13th annual Clayton Snow Memorial was held at Meadville Sportsman’s Club in Meadville, Penn., on May 14. Clayton Snow was a long-time member and supporter of this club and was especially interested in encouraging young people to learn to shoot.

Despite forecasts calling for thunderstorms and rain, it was warm and partly sunny most of the day with light winds. Seventeen shooters participated in this 200-bird shoot (20- and 28-gauge). The high total score of the day (195) was turned in by Mike Zavasky who had a 96 in the 20 and a 99 in the 28; Dave Wilke was HOA runner-up after winning a shoot-off of 193s with Kody Hoth.

The shoot began with the 20-gauge event in the morning. Wilke shot a 97 for gun champ. Gary Trilli was runner-up after winning a shoot-off of 96s with Zavasky. Class champions included Hoth (AA), Zavasky (A), Gary Trilli (B), George Gleich (C) and Willis Proctor (D).

The 28-gauge event took place after lunch. Hoth was gun champ after he and Zavasky, runner-up, shot off their 99s. Zavasky (AA), Paul Augustin (A), George Kirik (B), Gleich (C) and Mark Jones (D) were class winners.

Samuel Marks handled registration and score posting. Samuel, his dad Sam, and Keith Snow pulled and scored. Becky Snow oversaw the food: KFC, potato salad, chips, chocolate cake and chocolate chip cookies – yum! Marie Trilli made the shooting towels awarded to gun champs and runners-up.

Extra special thanks go to the Snow family for sponsoring this shoot by providing money and locally produced maple syrup as prizes to the gun and overall champs. Clayton’s widow, Kathleen, and two of his sons (Dale and his wife Janet, and Keith and his wife Becky) attended the shoot; Calvin Doctor, the Snows’ grandson, made the maple syrup.

– Contributed by George Gleich

  

Filed Under: Clay Target Nation - ARTICLES, NSSA News, NSSA Shoot Reports, Skeet, Skeet Events Tagged With: clay target shooting, Clayton Snow Memorial, skeet, skeet shooting

Penwell Memorial Skeet Shoot

June 13, 2022 By Cara Woodard

The 2022 Penwell Memorial was held at the Grand Prairie Gun Club (Texas) on April 8-10. Close to 50 shooters managed to find ammo to participate in this fine event. The brisk winds that blew didn’t seem to deter anyone from having a great time. Adam Roberts won the Doubles event on Friday with a 97. Runner-up was Johnny DeLeon with a 96. Third was won by Jason Foshea in a shoot-off of 95s with Mike Schmitt.

The 12-gauge event was captured by Donny Penwell with a lone 99. Runner-up was determined by shoot-off of 98s between Layne Merritt, Richard Funk and Gary Edwards. Layne won runner-up with Richard Funk taking third and Gary Edwards A1.

The 20-gauge had three 100 straights – Jason Foshea, Gary Jaggears and Cody Sergeant, who finished champ, runner-up and third, respectively.

On Saturday night, the club treated the shooters and guests to a shrimp boil with all the trimmings. After the dinner, a Calcutta auction was held on the 3-man blind teams in the 28-gauge. This proved to be a very spirited event.

The club is fortunate to have volunteers who run the shoot, empty the trash, load the houses and prepare the meals. A huge ‘thank you’ to all the volunteers who make the shoot possible.

Sunday brought more wind, with Jason Ward winning the event. Richard Funk was runner-up and Cody Sergeant was third. All posted 98s with the order determined by shoot-off.

Mike Gerschick won the .410 event with the high score of 96. Runner-up was Jason Ward with a 95. Greg VanBelois, Richard Funk and Johnny DeLeon battled it out for third, with Greg VanBelois claiming the victory.

At the close of the day, Jason Ward was the HOA Champion with a 389. Richard Funk and Mike Gerschick shot off scores of 387, with Funk taking runner-up and Gerschick third.

Many thanks to the Penwell family who donated custom knives to the gun champions and solicited sponsors for this event.

– Contributed by Randy Walhood

Filed Under: Clay Target Nation - ARTICLES, NSSA News, NSSA Shoot Reports, Skeet, Skeet Events Tagged With: clay target shooting, Penwell Memorial Shoot, skeet, skeet shooting

January Open – Dallas Gun Club

June 13, 2022 By Cara Woodard

January 22 was the perfect day to hold the first shoot of 2022 at Dallas Gun Club. Weather was great for January, with sunshine and no wind. Forty-one shooters ventured out to shoot the tournament of 100 12-gauge targets in the morning and 100 12-gauge targets in the afternoon. Of the 41 shooters registered, over half were Sub-Junior/Junior shooters competing in their first NSSA registered tournament. Most wore their team colors/vests showing their team spirit for their school where they shoot competitions against other schools under the auspices of the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Youth in Education Shooting Sports (YESS). Twenty-one shooters shot in the SCTP concurrent. 

Several years ago, the Dallas Gun Club moved from a one-day format of 50 targets each in 12-, 20- and 28-gauge and .410 bore to a menu of 12-gauge only for the day. This provides an opportunity for shooters without the 4-gauge set-up to join in; thus, the Dallas Gun Club has seen an influx of youth shooters showing up each January and February for the 12-gauge events. It has been a wonderful experience for all – getting to know new shooters, making new friends, and talking up the 4-gauge competitions.

Cody Sargent, well-known in the worldwide skeet community, handily won the HOA event as well as both 100-target events with a perfect score of 200. Mike Schmitt and Jeff Myhre tied with 195s, with Schmitt prevailing for runner-up and Myhre with third.

With many youth shooting their first registered skeet targets, there was one who celebrate a momentous occasion – Jacob (Jake) Farrand, who shoots for the Carroll Clay Target Program in Southlake, Texas, shot his first 25 straight. Several of his teammates gathered to shoot his hat. They did a good job hitting the hat, and Jake was still able to wear it home proudly.

Thank you to all the shooters who came out to make this shoot great fun with good friends and shooters. Thank you to the staff at the Dallas Gun Club for the great targets and food.

– Contributed by Jo Ellen Collin

Filed Under: Clay Target Nation - ARTICLES, NSSA News, NSSA Shoot Reports, Skeet, Skeet Events Tagged With: clay target shooting, skeet, skeet shooting

Kasle Family Charity Open

November 12, 2021 By Cara Woodard

September is most Michiganders’ favorite time of the year because the nights are cool and the days are warm and sunny. This year was no exception for the Kasle Family Charity Open held September 17-19 at the Detroit Gun Club. There were nearly 80 competitors from 13 states, with a number of first-timers in attendance, and they were all anticipating the Saturday night show that is the hallmark of the Kasle Open. The shoot always starts with a .410 bore, 75-target Event 6 in which the top 10 scores participate in a themed shoot-off on Saturday night. Two 75s, three 74s and three 73s automatically qualified for the finals, and nine 72s had a shoot-in for the remaining two spots, which took all of four stations to decide. It was also decided to include the high Lady, so the final count was 11 shooters competing for the coveted crystal bowl.

DOUBLES – Given the great conditions, it was no surprise to see multiple straights – three, to be exact. Andy Peter, who managed to escape from New Zealand (he’s the only international shooter we’ve seen in ages!), missed on the last pair of the first box for third place. On the last pair of the second box, Alessandro Vitale let one get away for runner-up, leaving David Ballerini the champion. Shoot-offs settled AAA and A, with Paul Giambrone and Jim Sykes the respective winners. Donald Kitchen (AA), Ed Bowker (B), Paul Kostopoulos (C) and Dennis Jolley (D) won their classes outright. Crystal Stoddard was Lady Champ.

12 & 20 GAUGE – Saturday morning’s conditions were “severe clear,” quickly warming up to near 80 degrees and no wind! Not surprisingly, there were 11 100s posted in the 12-gauge, and seven perfect scores in the 20-gauge. Add to that the plethora of 99s (14 and 13, respectively), and it’s a wonder the number of 100 straights wasn’t even higher. Five shooters completed the first box. David Ballerini let a low 3 slip by the third time in the second box for third place, with Craig Parsons settling for runner-up after missing on the last pair of the box. Paul Giambrone hit his pair for champ. Hundreds by Vitale (AAA), Fran Kosmacki (AA) and Larry Israel (B) put them at the top of their classes, with Stoddard (A1 and Lady champ) and Dalton Summerfield (C1) winning their shoot-offs. Dominic Stewart (D) and Dale Reeder (E) won their classes outright. In the 20-gauge event, the 100 straights took the field, with Steve Wood missing on the last station of the first box for third, and Vitale and Dessislav Ivanov going to the second box. Again, the champion was decided on the last pair, with Vitale besting Ivanov. Fred Tschantz (AAA) and Peter Bogdon (AA) won their classes with 100s; Stoddard won her shoot-off for A1 and was also Lady Champ; and Debra Perry (B), Trish Magyar (C) and Jolley (D) were outright winners of their classes. With two events in the books, there were three shooters perfect and another dozen down only one or two targets.

KASLE CUP – Twenty-one years ago, in 2000, the Kasle Cup started as the Walker Cup, named for the original sponsor, Spike Walker. Over the years, it has had different sponsors and, hence, different names, but the idea behind the event has always remained the same – to put some fun back into skeet shooting. Each year has had a different theme, with the shooters making it to the finals dressing the part; often the contestants are on different teams, with the crowd getting into the action. The themes over the years have been WWF, Rock Stars, West Side Story (Sharks vs. Jets), Heroes and Villains, NFL (AFC vs NFC), NASCAR, Professional Rodeo, Pirates, the Olympics, Woodstock, Caddyshack, Top Shot, Slap Shot, Dr. Seuss,  Stripes, Top Gun, Snow White, Dorf on Skeet, Detroit Skeet City (based upon the classic movie Detroit Rock City featuring KISS), The Greatest Shoot (Show) on Earth, Looney Tunes, Old McDonald’s Farm, and last year, “Wayne-o’s World” (based on the Saturday Night Live skit and subsequent movie) in honor of the late, great Wayne Mayes. This year the theme was Gomer Pyle, USMC, a tribute to Spike Walker, who had the nickname Sergeant Carter and recently passed away. The show started with a spectacular fireworks display. The “recruits” were marched onto the field by “Private Pyle” (Billy Ray Suggs), and “Sergeant Carter” (Mike Kremski) proceeded to “dress-down” each contestant. They shot flash targets, with music playing way and the crowd heckling them, making for quite a spectacle. Rarely has the shoot-off gone more than a round, which is understandable given all the commotion, and this year was no exception. When the smoke finally cleared, Mark Vaillancourt was the winner of the coveted crystal bowl – his third!

28 GAUGE & .410 BORE – Sunday’s conditions were a carbon-copy of Saturday’s, which was pretty unbelievable for this time of the year, especially given that the dreaded “white puffies” usually make an appearance for the .410 event. Six shooters posted 100s in the 28-gauge event, and it quickly got down to two, with Wood taking third. Then, it seemed that neither of the remaining two wanted to win. One would leave the door open and then the other failed to close it; then they went the other way! Finally, David Schiebel slammed the door shut for champ, with Josh Crofutt runner-up. Bruce Christian and Mark Gay finished AAA1 and AA1, respectively, with Mark Atkins (A), Pat Fowler (B), Dominic Stewart (C) and Dale Reeder (D) rounding out the other classes. Stoddard, again, was Lady champ. The .410 bore saw four perfect scores in the afternoon, but it didn’t take little more than a handful of stations to sort it all out. Giambrone was the champion, followed by Wood, runner-up; Parsons, third; and Donald Kitchen, AAA1 with his first 100 straight. Sykes won his shoot-off for AA1, and Owen Knight (A), Dennis Lehman (B), Donald Steinert (C) and Dominic Stewart (D) were at the top of their classes. Stoddard was Lady champ, completing her sweep.

HIGH OVER ALL – In the High Over All race, after three events, there was one shooter down one target; three shooters down two; five down three; and six down four targets. So, once again, it would all come down to the baby bore. When the final shot was fired in the .410, there were three tied at 397. Wood missed first, settling for third. On the next station, both Tschantz and Parsons missed, but three pairs later, Tschantz missed again and the venerable Parsons hit his pair for champion. Giambrone won his shoot-off of 396s for AAA1. All the other classes were decided without having to fire another shot, with Vaillancourt (AA), Jason Johnson (A), Israel (B), Jimmy Grimes (C) and Stewart (D) the winners. Stoddard, of course, was Lady champion.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Once again, the entire corps of shooters had a great time! Untold thanks go to our sponsors Roger, Lisa, Matt and Jill Kasle without whose generous support, this shoot, the fireworks show and charity donation would not be possible. Without fail, once again, Scott Behnke and his assistant manager, Danny, did a fantastic job ensuring the targets flew true; the referees were first-rate, keeping their thumbs on the buttons and giving us the targets when we called for them; the kitchen staff of Chef Kristina, with waitress Jenny, made sure that no one went hungry or thirsty; and our shoot staff of Debbi and Debbie promptly entered and posted the scores and ensured the shoot-off sheets were ready to go after the last shot was fired. Debbie (Behnke) even did double duty as a referee.

Next year the Motor State is scheduled for July 8-10, and the Kasle Family Charity Open, September 16-18. Look for our ads in “Target Talk,” or go to MichiganSkeet.com to get your registration in early. We guarantee you will have a great time at Detroit Gun Club!

– Contributed by Trish Magyar

        

  

Filed Under: Clay Target Nation - ARTICLES, NSSA News, NSSA Shoot Reports, Skeet, Skeet Events Tagged With: clay target shooting, Kasle Family Charity Open, skeet, skeet shoot

2021 New Jersey Skeet Championship

November 12, 2021 By Cara Woodard

For 2021, the New Jersey Skeet Championship moved back to Joint Base on September 10-12. The tournament started with Doubles on Friday afternoon, and NJSSA Treasurer Ben Galioto was able to bear down and break a respectable 96 to win the championship. Mason Palidar’s 92 took A1, Robert Vrablik shot a nice 93 to take B1, and Neil Alexander and Howie Mann both shot 86s to take C1 and D1, respectively.

In the 12-gauge event, both Ben Galioto and Jim Seiler broke 98s. A large crowd looked on as Jim and Ben engaged in a fierce shoot-off. After five stations, Galioto claimed the 12-gauge title. Dick Lukasik’s 97 earned him AA1. Rick Bagni won B1 also with a 97. Justin Cimino won C1 with a 97, a personal best. Howie Mann iced D1 with a 92, and Ray Stas won E Class.

Saturday afternoon brought the 28-gauge event. Ben Galioto and Robert Nowak, both with 97s, shot off for the Open championship, and after three stations, Galioto took the title. Mike Costello’s 94 earned B1 and Joe Madlinger’s 93 reeled in C1. Pennsylvania’s Gavin Glossner was on fire, breaking a 93 to take D class.

During the evening’s well-attended state shoot dinner, it was announced that two deserving sportsmen, Ben Galioto and Ed Amaty, will be inducted into the New Jersey Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame. Both men will be presented with plaques at the 2022 New Jersey State Shoot.

Sunday morning was perfectly still, and Ben Galioto took advantage by breaking a solid 99 to win the 20-gauge Championship. Mason Palidar took A1 with a 97. Bruce Gordon also shot a 97 to win B1, and Joe Madlinger iced C class with a 95. Another up-and-coming Junior sensation, C.J. Wojtaszek, broke a 93 to take D class.

The final event was the .410 bore, and two familiar gladiators, Jim Seiler and Ben Galioto, both shot 95s. The atmosphere was electric as both shooters made their way to the shoot-off field. After six stations, Ben crushed both targets, winning the .410 title and putting an exclamation point on a successful weekend of shooting. Robert Nowak won AA1 with a 93. Colonel Carl Wojtaszek also broke a 93 to win A1 and C.J. Wojtaszek was able to bear down and break a 93 to take C class. Ralph Novotny’s 85 took D class.

With a 389, Ben Galioto was the HOA Champion, becoming the first New Jersey shooter to win every event at a New Jersey State Championship.

Ben was also on the computer all weekend and responsible for running a flawless glitch-free tournament. Thank you to our referees, Ed Amaty, Sophia Galioto and Mark Bricker, who were perfect on the button. Thank you to Howie Mann for providing us with beautiful State Shoot patches and David Collins who provided us with proof shells. Finally, a big thank you to Ernie Yeager, Al Raguseo, James Garrett and the entire Joint Base staff for making this shoot possible.

– Contributed by Ben Galioto

Filed Under: Clay Target Nation - ARTICLES, NSSA News, NSSA Shoot Reports, Skeet, Skeet Events Tagged With: clay target shooting, New Jersey State Championship, skeet, skeet shoot

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