The 3F Club in Lewiston, New York, hosted the 3F Classic on July 21-23 with 48 shooters attending from New York, Pennsylvania and Canada. The 3F continues to host one of the top money shoots in New York and also maintains Top-100 status. For the 2017 event, over $3,000 in added money was awarded, along with breakfast, lunch, dinner and a cocktail hour for all, thanks to its many dedicated sponsors.
Friday started with the doubles event with four 99s being posted by Des Ivanov, Matt Kelly, Bill Black and Ed Smith. After a lengthy shoot-off, Ivanov emerged as champion, with Kelly as runner-up. Class winners were Don Lewandowski AA1, Bill Black A1, Mike Smith B1, Aaron Burnett C1, and John Yackiw D1.
Saturday brought clear and bright sunshine, light winds and temperatures in the 80s to the Niagara region for the 12 gauge. Seven perfect scores (Mike Ferchaw, Des Ivanov, John Kapron, Matt Littlefield, Craig Parsons, and Juniors Matt Lenehan and Dave Wilke) and eight 99s were posted. After three boxes, Parsons won the championship with Wilke runner-up. Class winners were Lenehan AA1, Colin Smingler A1, Victoria Ferchaw B1, James Johnson C1, Al Morris D1, and Jimmy Hunter E1.
Following the lunch break, shooters took to the field for the 28-gauge event, in which Parsons posted the lone 100 to win the championship. Eight 99s were called to the shoot-off field to battle it out for the second spot. Ed Smith outlasted Littlefield, Kapron, Ivanov, Joe Strazzezeri, Dale Patterson, Mike Ferchaw, and Dave Sobiegray for the runner-up title. Class winners were Kapron AA1, Strazzeri A1, Sobiegray B1 and Bruce Raymond C1.
Sunday morning the weather was still cooperating, with bright sunshine and light winds. The 20-gauge event concluded with four 100s by Kapron, Bernie Lenehan, Parsons and Smith, plus six 99s. Parsons outlasted the field to take the championship, and Smith took runner-up. Class winners were Kapron AA1, Lewandowski A1, Dana Driscoll B1, and Burnett C1.
For the .410, the final event of the day, all eyes were on Craig Parsons, looking for the 400×400. Thirty years ago, Craig posted a 500×500 at the 3F during the 1987 New York State Shoot, but with the lone 100 and his first in the .410, Dale Patterson captured the championship. Parsons, Sobiegray, and Kody Hoth shot off 98s for runner-up, with Hoth prevailing. Class winners Parsons AA1, Sobiegray A1, Victoria Ferchaw B1, Mike Haff C1, and John Yackiw D1.
Finishing at 398, Parsons captured the HOA crown. Des Ivanov and Dale Patterson shot off 395s for runner-up, with Ivanov prevailing. Class winners were John Kapron AA1, Dale Patterson A1, Dave Sobiegray B1, Victor Stirpe C1, and John Yackiw D1.
Thank you to all of our dedicated sponsors, especially Duane Manth and Manth Mfg., without whom we would not be able to offer the added money, and to the venue to enable us to grow the shoot year after year. Thanks to Randy Cook for his generous donation for the 20-gauge B-C-D event. Thanks to our referees and all our volunteers who made this shoot possible, including Mike Clarke, Jeff Ventry, Garland Taborn, Dave Sobiegray, Rich Falcone, Tim Baldwin, Jackie Ventry, and Lisa Kelly.
We invite you to join us next year and make it a vacation. There’s a lot to do in Niagara Falls!
– Contributed by Dave Sobiegray
