events

Ballentine Breezes to Zone 7 HOA Championship

June 28, 2017 By Sherry Kerr

Ah, Las Vegas. Whether you know it for its nightlife, gambling or celebrity sightings, it is also the home of the Clark County Shooting Complex, a jewel of gun clubs and the newest to join the list of clubs that can host the Zone 7 Skeet Championships. The CCSC boasts 24 skeet fields and what seems to be a half-mile of RV spots. With field space galore, the Vegas Skeet Association worked hard to show that they are ready to host both small and large shoots for years to come.

Turnout was strong for 2017 Zone 7 Skeet Championships. All 13 states in Zone 7 were represented on the scoreboard. The Sub-Junior and Junior shooters in the zone showed up in full force and proved they were contenders in all guns. Of course, the wind also showed up in full force, but shooters just stepped up their game.

Arizona Sub-Junior shooter Victor Cordova topped the field of Doubles competitors with his 98. Battling it out for the next spots were Jack Bernardi, runner-up, and Doug Coulter, third, both shooting 96s. In the 12 gauge, Tim Nagel (MT) turned in the only 100 to claim the champion spot. Rob Lopez and Vegas Junior Steven Bivins came close, dropping only one target, with Lopez winning the shoot-off for runner-up. Nick Ballentine, returning 2016 HOA Champ, started making his mark with a 98 to take AAA1, as did Chad Sims, coming in from Hawaii to take AA1. Stephen Guerrero from Colorado turned in an impressive 98 down in D class.

Everyone took a short break from the trials of skeet in the wind to enjoy a Friday night banquet where Lynn Meisinger Cogdill was inducted into the Zone 7 Hall of Fame. Lynn began shooting in 1998 at her home club in Missoula, Montana. Relentless practice and her competitive nature quickly moved her not only to the top of the list of Ladies shooters but also gave her bragging rights to the 2006 Montana State HOA Championship and the 2010 28-gauge championship at the U.S. Open. Three squads of Montana shooters, along with Lynn’s family, joined us in congratulating Lynn on her induction.

Speaking of top Ladies shooters, Emily Steinbaugh came in with the lone 99 in the 20-gauge event to win the gun championship, leaving a rash of 98s to shoot it out for the other spots. Joining Emily on the White Flyer podium were Nick Ballentine, runner-up, and Victor Cordova, third. For the rest of the 98s, it was Lopez over squadmate Dan Lewis for AAA1, Sims over Washington Junior shooter Nathan Barron for AA1 and Tanner Bissell A1.

More 100s started to show up in the 28 Gauge as the winds finally decided to give us a break. Chad Sims held his ground for gun champ over two Junior shooters, followed by Bivins at runner-up and Ryan Meger from Arizona who took third. And as always, it came down to the .410. There were a few 99s already in by the time Nick Ballentine took the field. Not fazed by the fact that he needed his top game to take not only the .410 but also the High Over All, Nick put the only 100 on the board. Dave Anderson took .410 runner-up spot, and Meger came in third. When the scores were tallied, it was Ballentine as the HOA champ with a 395. Bivins, runner-up, bested Meger, third, in a battle of the 393s.

Credit for the success of the 2017 Zone 7 Skeet Championships was shared by the toils of the Vegas Skeet Association, the hard work and creativity of Theresa Bivins, who gave the social events a Vegas touch, Chief Referee Traci MacWalter and assistant Ken Bartee, along with shoot management: Zone 7 President Billy D. Williams, VP J.R. Hildebrand, Secretary/Treasurer Tim Drago, and the Zone 7 registration staff of Bob Williams, Mark Coca, Ron Shoemake and Gail Lambrecht.

– Contributed by Gail Lambecht

Restart Open at Kern County (CA) Gun Club

February 24, 2016 By Sherry Kerr

Who does’t want a “Restart” once in a while? And the beginning of each year, New Year’s, just begs for one. Thus it was decided that’s what everyone needed at Kern County Gun Club in January. Organizers knew it was touch and go on the weather when they set the date. But Saint Peter stepped up, and in keeping with California weather, the conditions were fantastic.

The format? A one-day, two-gun tournament comprised of 12 and 20 gauges, along with an HOA.

Generous sponsors have added nice loot for the winners as well: flats of shells for gun and class champions, engraved crystal trophies for HOA winners, and special awards for Lady and Junior champions.

Cliff Bolt has done a fantastic job promoting the Kern County events, and the Restart Open was no exception. The maximum capacity of 50 shooters was filled. Shooters from as far away as Montana and Minnesota were in attendance. In addition to local Bakersfield area shooters, Southern California was also well represented. Everyone did their best to be tuned up and ready for competition. A nice group of shooters convened at the club on Friday for last-minute practice. Good idea, as it turned out; you would need to shoot well to win.

Led by Jon Cunningham, the club was in top-notch form. Dean, Jeff, and Jeffrey Rouell, Jr. put a shine on the property. Not a thread was out of place. The referees were spot on and cheery. If you haven’t experienced the Kern County hospitality, you owe yourself a visit to the club. You won’t be disappointed.

Squadding was organized by Rick Douglass, and Hall of Famer Hal Stewart had the computers teed up well in advance. A handful of folks were registered on Friday. Then beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, the lovely and gracious Tina Stephens took the helm, registering shooters and doing the administrative tasks. Alongside Tina was trainee Misty, who turned out to be a quick study. The volunteers at skeet shoots are the backbone of the sport. Be sure to say “thank you” to those tireless workers at every event.

The 12 gauge commenced with the first flight at 8:30. There were plenty of good scores but no hundie. The door was still open when the second rotation took the fields at 10:00. The stars lined up for one competitor, Rob McCormick, breaking his first-ever 100 straight. Rob is a SoCal celebrity, one of the generous sponsors of the sport. Chili Rob as he is known, has been at it for a few years, nipping at the straight a few times. Congratulations Rob, well deserved. And the score held up, the sole perfect of the gauge.

There was plenty of good shooting: two 99s, a 98, and seven 97s fought for the scraps. In the end it was McCormick at gun champ, Cliff Bolt runner-up, Ty Younts AA1, Mike Archer A1, Harold Jeffers B1, Hal Stewart C1, and Ron Schaefer D1. Sean Collier was the Junior champ, and Kathryn Friesen was Lady champ. One gun down, one to go.

Did I mention that lunch was included in the program? And what a lunch it was. The West Coast famous Buoni BBQ was on hand — BBQ pork loin, BBQ beans, salad and sides. The only downside was the food coma following the feast. Thank you to Frank, Lori, and Dominic for feeding us. What a treat.

Immediately following lunch, the first rotation of 20 gauge shooters took the field. Conditions were still great and high scores followed. This time it was another SoCal shooter who stepped up. Hall of Famer and National Director Keith Phelps cleared the field with his 100 straight. He was followed by three 99s and three 98s. After shoot-offs, it ended up Phelps as gun champ, Keith Key runner-up, Buoni AA1, local shooter Tracy Edwards A1, Chili Rob McCormick B1, Ron Schaefer C1, and Joe Kerchinski D1. Again, Sean Collier was the Junior champ and Kathryn Friesen was Lady champ.

Drama was developing on the HOA front. Three shooters were in the hunt, followed by a couple who needed help from the leaders. Dominic Buoni has been whipping just about everyone’s tails, so he sort of had a bullseye on his back. McCormick was only down two targets but finished early, having to wait on results. Younts was also right there with the other two. It was really anyone’s game. When the dust settled, McCormick’s 198 captured the HOA title. Buoni and Younts shot off their 197s for runner-up, with Younts prevailing. Buoni took AA1, followed by Keith Key A1, Phelps B1, Shaefer C1, and Kerchinski D1.

Guess who the Junior and Lady Champs were? You got it, Collier and Friesen. In addition to the perfect scores, there were several personal bests during the day. Congratulations and great shooting, everyone.

The one-day tournaments have been well received at Kern County Gun Club. Bolt and Cunningham have been instrumental in promoting and supporting the skeet program. The results are obvious. After all, people vote with their feet. At this event alone, five new NSSA members were signed up. It’s satisfying to have a full shoot and see smiling faces. Thank you, guys. Please keep up the good work.

— Contributed by Chris Baker

Keith Phelps, 20 gauge champ, with Tina Stephens

3rd Annual Pueblo Chile Open

February 24, 2016 By Sherry Kerr

Tucson Gun Club was the host of the 3rd annual Pueblo Chile Open, moving to February 13-14 after two years as a fall event. The Tucson weather was terrific for the 4 x 100 shoot — virtually no wind and beautiful, sunny skies.

A couple of things make this shoot special. First, there is an outstanding traveling trophy that remains with the HOA winner for that year. This trophy is unique and would be a great addition to any gun room. The second and perhaps the coolest thing is the memorable lunch offered to all participants, a real gut-buster comprised of a grilled hamburger with up to five different melted cheese selections positioned on the bottom bun only, then smothered with homemade chili. This can only be eaten with a knife and fork and lots of napkins — very sloppy but yummy!

Art Alcon was the sponsor of the traveling trophy and brainchild of the meal. Thanks to Art and the volunteer cooking crew! Larry Blount and the Tucson Gun Club did a terrific job running the event. The pullers were great and the trap help was very responsive. This was a customer-focused event and well done.

And yes, there was some shooting. There was even a squad of trap shooters who participated, one of whom is the “Wayne Mayes of trap” — Harlan Campbell. It’s great to see this kind of involvement, and I hope they had fun.

The next event was Saturday’s 28 gauge, and a lone 98 by Larry Blount was enough to prevail as champ. Class winners were Ryan Meger AA1, Tom Pavlack A1, Vernon Lucas B1, Chris Bagley C1, and Richard Hakalmazian D1.

Sunday rolls around and another great day to shoot. The 20 gauge was first, and finally a lone 100 was scored by Larry Blount, who ended up event champ. Class winners were Doug Coulter AA1, Brian Fanning A1, Stephen Ponder B1, Chance Dumond C1, and Thomas Wicklund D1.

The .410 was the last event, and typically no matter where you are in the country, the wind always “freshens.” True to form, the wind did pick up, but only a little. Doug Coulter was the event champ, followed by the class winners Brian Fanning AA1, Tom Pavlack A1, Stephen Ponder B1, Thomas Wicklund C1, and Richard Cochrane D1. Last year’s HOA champ, Brian Fanning, graciously handed over the traveling trophy to this year’s HOA champ, Larry Blount.

Other details that might make you go “hmmm” or “yeah” … 8 new NSSA members and 18 new state memberships. There was a generous $550 donation applied to a 12 gauge challenge that was split into a 9-way Lewis class, resulting in 35 of the 64 shooters winning some money.

Thanks again to everyone who helped make this shoot a success, and hopefully we will see you next year.

— Contributed by Tom Pavlack

Click on any image to open gallery.

2015 Pull for Our Veterans Exceeds Goal

February 9, 2016 By Sherry Kerr

In its fourth year, the 2015 Pull for Our Veterans^® event benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project^© had two big goals — doubling its fundraising to $50,000 and adding a Friday evening event honoring service, commitment, and shared sacrifice. The event, hosted by the Oak Ridge Sportsmen’s Association in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, accomplished both, raising $55,571 for its cause.

In addition to the 100 shooters who each paid $100 to participate in Saturday and Sunday flights — with all proceeds going directly to the Wounded Warrior Project — on Friday, organizers hosted five Tennessee wounded warriors, 14 law enforcement officers from five area departments, and four active-duty Army soldiers to shoot skeet and trap.

For the first time, corporate sponsors including National Strategic Protective Services, Consolidated Nuclear Services, and Clayton Bank and Trust contributed to the success of the event. Entry fees for the wounded warriors, law enforcement officers, and active-duty soldiers who shot on Friday night were paid for by the donations of Pull for Our Veterans supporters. Dinner was sponsored by Newk’s. Each participant received an official Pull for Our Veterans hat, t-shirt, shooting towel, and bag of items from sponsors. By all accounts, the participants quickly bonded in their shared ethos of service, commitment, and shared sacrifice and had a great time.

See Our Event Photo Gallery Below

The opening ceremony began with a prayer by Chaplain (CPT) Gary Nistler, Jr., Battalion chaplain 844th EN Bn. SSG Leslie Dix played Taps, followed by the national anthem performed by TSgt Reggie Coleman. Both are members of the Air National Guard Band of the South, 572nd Air National Guard Band. The U.S. flag was raised by a USMC Honor Guard of Sgt. Felipe Holden and Cpl. Jordon Dohner, both from the 4th CEB D Co.

Saturday evening’s dinner at Saint Mary’s School in Oak Ridge was provided by Olive Garden with Sal Gonzalez, Jr. from the Wounded Warrior Project as guest speaker. Sal talked of his experiences in Iraq, his recovery after he was critically injured by an IED, life as an amputee, and then his recovery and life as a musician in Nashville. Sal ended his talk by singing a song he wrote entitled “Heroes.” Next up were the completion of the silent auction and the live auction where many deals were to be had for over 40 items. Saturday night alone the group raised $11,400.

Plans are already underway for the fifth annual Pull for Our Veterans skeet and trap shoot on September 16-18, 2016 in Oak Ridge, plus a new sporting clays event May 7-8 in Sweetwater, Tennessee. You can sign up to participate as a shooter, volunteer, sponsor, fundraiser, or donor at www.pfov.org. You can also find 2015 shoot results there.

— Reported by Richard Stouder, President, Pull for Our Veterans

Click on an image below to open and scroll through the gallery of images from the 2015 Pull for Our Veterans shoot.