Clay Target Nation

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

Rebel Open

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A total of 31 shooters showed up for the Fredericksburg Rod & Gun Club’s Rebel Open in Virginia over the June 12-14 weekend. Most of them shot four guns on the two-rotation, four-field program. Several shooters remarked on the fun, relaxed atmosphere that Bud Hitchcock and Nick Gravina worked hard all weekend to create. We used the “old-fashioned, big scoreboard” which a few younger shooters had never seen before. They thought it was a fun new innovation that made it easier to see what everyone shot in every event by finding their name just once. Although there was no dinner, there was still a lot of socializing at respectful distances under the big, shady porch. Five campers enjoyed the extra space.

We started Friday afternoon with doubles and a late afternoon flight of 12-gauge. There were no shoot-offs on Friday, as doubles were also offered in one flight on Saturday for anyone who wanted to take advantage of it. Shoot-offs were minimal all weekend but taken seriously when they did occur. We also welcomed back lady shooter Lindsay (Toler) Coffman, who had not shot registered targets in five years but continued her tradition, started when she was a teenager, of scoring better than her shooting partner (and dad) Keith in three of the five guns. Keith got to claim victory in the 12-gauge with his 92 and a tie in doubles.

Jim Hickerson shot top scores until Sunday and looked like a shoo-in for HOA Champion when a medical problem popped up during the .410. Jim won the 12-gauge and 20-gauge events outright with 100s. John Snyder won the 28-gauge outright with his 99. So, going into the .410, John (293) and Jim (295) were only two birds apart. Roger Johnson’s 94 took .410 outright. There were shoot-offs for every event but .410 and doubles for runner-up and/or third and some class and concurrent shoot-offs – just enough to keep people entertained.

John Snyder prevailed as .410 runner-up and HOA Open Champion. Hannah Goddard was Lady HOA Champion. Thanks also to Hannah for stepping up and refereeing several times over the weekend. Not an easy thing to do – shoot AND referee – as the temperature heats up. Thanks to the other referees as well: Dick Weinley, Steve Janoschka and Mark Parker. They gave welcome breaks to Bud and Nick. You can find all winners and scores on the Fredericksburg Club website, www.fredericksburgrodandgunclub.org.

– Contributed by Rebecca Myers

 

Ladies Skeet Classic

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2020 Ladies Charity Skeet Classic

The 2020 Ladies Charity Skeet Classic was not without challenges, starting with finding a date that didn’t present too many conflicts. Little did we know, with the COVID-19 pandemic, our landing date of March 13-15 would ultimately be the best date scenario. At the front of the pandemic, travel restrictions, isolation and social distancing were just starting, so those factors did ultimately impact our numbers. Still, we were very fortunate to get to host our 25th Ladies Charity Skeet Classic, with activities being put on hold soon thereafter.

Ladies attended from nine states. Georgia had the most, seven attendees, with the event being held at South River Gun Club in Covington, Georgia. Ladies also attended from Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Connecticut, Ohio and Tennessee.

This year our Ladies Learn to Shoot class hosted novice shooters who spent some time with two of our favorite coaches – Doug Thompson and John Hancock. The ladies returned to the clubhouse smiling after a morning on the skeet field. After a delicious lunch break, they ventured to the pistol range where Mike Wasielewsi coached them through great hits on their paper targets.

Doubles were held Friday afternoon. Marina Pakis (Tenn.) took Champion unchallenged with 94. Three scores of 93 meant a shoot-off for Andrea Beyer (Miss.), Katie Anderson (Ga.) and Mary DeFrancesco (Conn.). Beyer pounded four stations to take runner-up, Anderson smashed three stations to take third and DeFrancesco took class first.

Saturday morning was the 12-gauge event. Two 98s were the high score posted, so Susan Huszai (Ohio) and Anderson took to the field where Huszai missed on her second station and Anderson cleared station 4 to take Champion. Huszai was runner-up, and Jessica Simmerman (Miss.), with a 96, took third without a shoot-off.

Saturday afternoon was the 28-gauge event. Anderson posted her first 28-gauge 100 to secure Champion without a shoot-off. Four 98s headed out to settle the remaining steps on the podium – DeFrancesco, Pakis, Susan Galloway (Miss.) and Huszai. Huszai was the only lady to clean station 3, so she earned runner-up, while the other ladies continued on. Galloway outshot the others for third, while Pakis and DeFrancesco secured first in their respective classes.

Saturday there was an Annie Oakley event for the ladies with 25 skeet, 25 trap, 25 adventurous 5-stand and 10 pistol shots. The same event was offered for the men as a Frank Butler (Annie’s husband) event. The Annie Oakley Champion was Melissa Petitjean (Ga.), and the Frank Butler Champion was Doug Thompson (N.C.).

When not shooting, the ladies found over 100 raffle items on the tables to drop a ticket in for drawing. The items were homemade as well as purchased, new and weathered, manly and girlie – truly something to be had for anyone! Some individuals came to the club exclusively to shop for goodies. The ticket raffles raised just under $3000 from the array of donated merchandise.

As 2020 was our 25th year, we wanted to recognize our Founding Mothers who attended this year’s shoot and supported everyone with their shooting, love, recommendations, participation in the live auction and contagious fun attitude. Mary Beverly-Gamble, Carolyn Lause and Winnie Tucker attended from Florida, with Linda Tucker joining them. Barbara Bozard, another of our founding mothers, passed following last year’s LCSC. We included Barbara’s photo with this year’s centerpiece decoration. We honored each mother with a wrist corsage and a round of applause for all they have done and enabled us to do.

Prior to dinner, we had a presentation from Mr. Charles Smith with Athens Area Habitat for Humanity, our charity for year 25. Charles shared about what our funds provide for Habitat. This chapter of Habitat has many activities going on in the community. We are proud to partner with them and are confident our dollars are being well spent, with benefits extending to future generations.

Following dinner, MaryAnn Worsham assisted with our Basket and Item Auction. Our attending ladies created amazing baskets, with a theme of their choice. This year’s most popular basket was a firepit stocked with s’mores and snacks, as well as adult treats to enjoy during those cool nights with new warm accessories of gloves and hats, created by Hannah Goddard, Jessica Simmerman and Susan Galloway. The basket that raised the most money was a relaxation basket filled with assorted coffees and teas to enjoy, created by Andrea Beyer and Katie Hunt. The most highly coveted auction items this year were beautiful leather pouches, donated by Donny Weaver of Tarheel Leathercraft and the gorgeous handmade quilt with an appropriate “house” theme, donated by Susan Huszai. We were able to raise over $3000. Eric and Evan Heit were invaluable during the auction, assisting with displaying the items. The young men assisted with various tasks throughout the weekend as part of the BETA Club Volunteer Hours. We were delighted to have them.

Sunday morning was the 20-gauge event. Huszai let one target get away, to post a 99 for Champion, unchallenged. Beyer and Karen Ruddle (W.Va.) posted 98s and headed to the field to settle titles. Ruddle let one target slide on the station 4, securing third and giving Beyer runner-up.

The .410-bore event was held Sunday afternoon. The high score was 97, so Huszai and Anderson again found themselves on the field to shoot off. Huszai missed on her second pair, taking runner-up as Anderson closed the door with a clean station 4, awarding her Champion. The next high score was 95, which led Beyer and DeFrancesco back to the shoot-off field. Beyer’s doubles game is strong; she led off clean through two stations, grabbing third, while DeFrancesco missed on station 4, taking class first.

Sunday sporting allowed anyone interested to shoot a round of 5-stand. Lady Champion was Jessica Simmerman and Man Champion was Eric Heit.

High Overall was clean for all places (a shoot manager’s dream, as the business of the wind-down is usually high). Huszai was crowned Champion with 392, Anderson awarded runner-up with 387 and DeFrancesco placed third with 384.

The funds were still being tallied at this writing, and the final donation to Habitat will be shared on Facebook. Follow us at Ladies Charity Skeet Classic or our website at ladiescharityshootclassic.org.

We want to offer a huge thank you to South River Gun Club and staff for allowing us to take over the club for the weekend, our many generous sponsors (see claytargetnation.com for the complete list) who made it possible to hold our shoot and pay it forward with our donation to Habitat, Athens Area Habitat for Humanity for agreeing to partner with us along the journey, our volunteers who helped with all the things that needed to be done, and our referees who made sure our ladies got the best targets possible. One final thank you to my family (Al and Hannah) for really digging into the trenches to help the Ladies Charity be all that it can be. The 2021 date will be forthcoming.

Our faithful and generous sponsors:

Ladies Learn to Shoot – “First Shots” by National Sports Shooting Foundation
Friends of LCSC – Doubles and 20 Gauge
Jane & Doug Frazier – 12 Gauge
Barbara Bozard Memorial – 28 Gauge
Jim McFadden – .410 Bore
Matthews Trenching Co., Inc. – HOA
Cross Creek Skeet Association – Friday lunch
Hannah Goddard – Saturday lunch
John Haugh – Sunday lunch
Zone 4 Skeet Association – Friday social hour
Jim Meucci – Friday cocktail party
Georgia State Skeet Association – Saturday dinner
Jim Stumpf – Annie Oakley event
David Morgan Memorial – Frank Butler event
Howell Traps – 5-stand
Cakes – Queen B’s Cakes ‘n Bakes
MaryAnn Worsham – Red Barn Doors Auctions
Greg Huszai – Photographer to the Stars
Krieghoff International, Inc.
Giambrone Shooting Clinics
Tarheel Leathercrafts
NSSA-NSCA-NSC
Remington Arms Co.
Pro-Shot Products
Precision Medals
Phillips
Briley Manufacturing
Kolar Arms
Todd Bender/Performance Systems International
MidwayUSA
White Flyer
Arnold’s (Snap-on) Tools

Lavish Lips by Debbie Qualls
Bright Sparks UBAM VIP Group
Crystal’s Chic Boutique (Thirty-One)

Numerous anonymous donations of merchandise and dollars by individuals
– Contributed by Tami Daniel-Means

 

Valentine Open

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Although the shoot was not held on Valentine’s Day, the shooting conditions at Fairfax Rod and Gun Club (Manassas, Virginia) were certainly something to love on the day after Valentine’s Day. When shoot management arrived at the club, the thermometer read 15 degrees, but the forecast indicated that the temperature would double during the day. The “no wind” conditions proved inviting for the 34 shooters that came out to demonstrate their love of our sport.

Gun Champion and a dozen red roses went to Christopher Baisey. Runner-up and third resulted in the first shoot-off at our club for the year between three shooters – Col. T.W. Williams, Derek Vacco and Joe Scott. After the smoke cleared, Joe Scott captured runner-up and Derek Vacco was declared third. Lady Champion, Stephanie Treme, received an antique glass and sterling silver bud vase with a red rose. Class champs were Jason Armstrong (A), Col. T.W. Williams (B), Ted Bradford (C), Sean Scott (D), and Stephanie Treme (E). Garrett Baisey, for the third consecutive shoot, took the Junior Champion position. Once again, only a single shooter won the Handicap Option out of 13 shooters that entered. These side options are always fun and sometimes generate some unexpected results.

Many thanks to our referees – Stephen Halt, Bud Hitchcock, Derek Vacco and Dick Weinley – and our club manager, Jamie Martin, who had everything perfect for our Valentine shooters.

– Contributed by Jeff Bond

Blue Nose Open

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Headlines were just reporting the contagion in China, but 30 healthy shooters came out to the Blue Nose Open at Fairfax Rod and Gun Club (Manassas, Virginia) on the morning of January 25 under warming skies and still air. With near-record warmth, it was one of the best shooting days of the year so far – but more great days have been pre-ordered. However, it was still cool enough to justify a fire in the pavilion, augmented by fresh, hot coffee and even fresher Krispy Kreme donuts made just a couple of hours before. This shoot attracted four brand new shooters into our great world of registered skeet competition.

Gun Champion was captured by Col. T.W. Williams with a solid 98. Runner-up was Spence Miller, and third was awarded to Craig Childress. Winning the classes were Bob Myers (A1), Winston Huang, at his first registered skeet shoot (B1), Collin Christopherson (C1), Kevin Baker (D1) and Becky Myers (E1). No shoot-offs were required. Garrett Baisey captured the Junior Champion spot for his second consecutive shoot. Collegiate Champion went to Adam Bradford, one of our local George Mason University shooters. One interesting result was posted in the options: only one shooter won the Handicap Option with a 100 and took all the handicap money. Consider participating in the options because these side events add another fun dimension to the competitions.

– Contributed by Jeff Bond

 

Comstock Open

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This year’s Comstock, hosted by Vegas Skeet Association, was a great event attended by shooters from as far away as New Zealand, Canada, Massachusetts and at least eight other states.

With the impending coronavirus scenario threatening to close the county-owned facility, we managed to finish the shoot just under the wire.

Friday’s doubles event was in doubt due to rain early in the day, but the weather cleared up by shoot time. With overcast skies, the shooters were challenged. John Lyman bucked the weather to take the doubles with a score of 99, with James Murphy taking runner-up at 97.

On Saturday, the skies cleared and the wind pick up slightly. Neal Whitney and Sean MacWalter each shot a 99, with Neal Whitney victorious. MacWalter kept shooting well and broke 100 straight to take the 20-gauge title, with Randy Gutirrez taking runner-up with a score of 98.

Sunday brought about good weather with a slight breeze. Neal Whitney followed up on the previous day’s score with a 100 straight in 28-gauge for the championship, and Victor Cordova scored a 99 for runner-up. The .410 event proved to be tight, with Neal Whitney and Mark Saussure taking champ and runner-up. 

Neal secured the HOA title with a score of 390, and John Imbt claimed runner-up with a 380.

The annual $500 Bender BCDE Challenge shoot-off came down to four shooters: B-class Larry Miranda and Gary Richter (with two misses allowed), C-class Aden Wyckoff (three misses) and E-class Jeff Galliher, with six misses. The shoot-off lasted a while, with Larry Miranda holding on to win the event and Aden Wyckoff and Jeff Galliher taking runner-up and third, respectively. 

Thanks to Todd Bender for his generous support of the Vegas Skeet Association and the Comstock. 

The fabulous Clark County Shooting Complex is where Vegas Skeet Association hosts their 11 annual events and multiple leagues. If you’re ever in Las Vegas or wish to attend one of their events, contact them at vegasskeet@gmail.com or visit nevadaskeet.com.

– Contributed by Bob Donovan

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