The official magazine of the National Skeet Shooting Association and the National Sporting Clays Association
Missoula Trap and Skeet Club in Missoula, Montana, hosted the Jesse Geddes Memorial Shoot on May 25-27. The shoot has been held annually in honor of Jesse Geddes, who passed away in 2010. He was not only an avid skeet shooter but also served as a board member at MTSC and was involved in various capacities.
Congratulations to Phillip Strelau, who came away with the HOA victory!
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Greater Houston Gun Club was the site of the 2017 Texas Skeet Shooters Association’s State Championships held June 22-25. The weather forecast called for lots of rain, but luckily it held off during most of the shooting time. Allen Cline began the shoot by winning the TSSA Referee Championship and taking home the Al Topham Champion Referee Award.
The Doubles Event, sponsored by Todd Bender, got underway Thursday, and two contenders with perfect scores faced off in the shoot-off. Brandon Cade emerged as the champion over Jason Ward, while Jack Davis claimed third place after besting the 99s. John L. Barnes, Cameron Schuster, Kendall Jaroszewski, Donald Root, Jeff Mossman and Lloyd King took top honors in their classes.
The last shoot-off of the night was for the five-man team trophy, which is greatly coveted at the Texas State Shoot. The youth of Team Texas won over experience, and the spectators went wild when the shoot-off was completed. As always, Greater Houston Gun Club treated the shoot participants to hors d’oeuvres as the shoot-offs were taking place.
Friday morning was the start of the Greater Houston Gun Club 12 Gauge Championship, which would be concluded on Saturday due to the Friday night banquet. Friday evening was a night of celebration as the top shooters in the state were awarded state honors and a new TSSA Hall of Famer was inducted at the Hall of Fame Banquet. Robert Paxton entertained the crowd with his vast knowledge of shooting information as shooters were called to collect their belt buckles, and at the end of the night, Tami Myers was introduced as the newest Hall of Fame member of the Texas Skeet Shooters Association.
Saturday was a full day as the 12, 20 and 28 gauges would be concluded while working around a few showers and storms. Prior to the shoot-offs, everyone gathered for a three-gun salute and a moment of silence to remember our friends lost over the past year. Once all the day’s regulation shots were fired, the shooters began preparing for shoot-offs. Only six shooters managed perfect scores with the big gun, as the wind made it challenging for all. Garrett Hackmaster was the last one standing in the shoot-off to claim the 12-gauge title in front of perennial contenders, Robert Paxton and Jason Ward. Barnes, Greg Massari, Frank Tucker, Robert Davis, David Blakemore, Gary Steuerwald and Pierce Miller were the top shooters in their respective classes. Terrell Rifle and Pistol Club claimed the 12 gauge five-man team championship.
Ten competitors broke perfect scores in the 20 gauge, and all were ready to settle the gun championship in the shoot-off stadium. Cade claimed his second gun championship of the weekend by outlasting John Kirkland and outstanding junior shooter, Andrew Benson, for the 20-gauge title sponsored by Lonesome Charlie’s. Skeete Smitha, Helen Swetman, Mikaela Saenz (with her first 100 in the 20 gauge), Jeff Zwiebel, Mike Guthrie, and Christian Saenz earned class championships. The youngsters of Team Texas took home another five-man team trophy after outlasting their competition.
The 28 gauge, sponsored by Doug Toulouse, was the next event to be settled. Up-and-coming Junior shooter, Nicholas Godfrey, continued his impressive year, winning the 28-gauge title over runner-up Armour Strunk and third-place finisher Michael Galo, III. Class champions included Barnes, Matthew Ward, Lauren Burge, Louis Levy, Charli Abendroth and Stephen Naeve. The Dallas Gun Club team was eager to take home a five-man team trophy and did just that after outlasting the Buttercups, shooting for Bandera.
After Saturday, only the .410 bore remained. With many competitors close to the top of the leaderboard, it was anyone’s tournament to win. Randy Wall and Andrew Benson broke their first 100s in the .410, along with Cameron Schuster. In the end, Schuster claimed the championship, which was sponsored by Richard McCarter, while Benson and Wall settled for runner-up and third. John Castillo, Bailey Glenewinkel, Robert Ellington, David Cudia, John Delaloye and Travis McHenry were the stand-outs in class competition. Team Texas continued their hot streak and took home another eagle trophy.
As usual, the HOA comes down to the .410, and the 2017 Texas State Championships was no different. Schuster sealed the Paxton-sponsored HOA Championship with his perfect .410 score and 398×400. Three 396s followed the champion, and Paxton took runner-up over William Edmunds, third, and Andrew Benson, AA1. Bailey Glenewinkel took home the Ladies’ championship, followed by Helen Swetman and Lauren Burge. Class winners included Castillo, Benson, Jack Davis, Robert Ellington, John Delaloye, Christian Saenz and Sydney Nickel. The five-man team from Greater Houston Gun Club made the host club proud by claiming the last team award, the HOA eagle trophy. In the end, it was an outstanding tournament with great competition and fellowship. Thank you to all the shoot sponsors and Greater Houston Gun Club for making the Texas State Skeet Championships a wonderful event.
-Contributed by Nathan Boyd
In the movie Men in Black, Will Smith’s character, Agent J, was issued a minuscule handgun called the Noisy Cricket, an under-powered pop gun at first glance. When J finally pulled the trigger on it, the recoil threw him across the room, launching a powerful energy orb. Similarly, with just three skeet fields in play, the Redlands events might initially appear light in stature, until you pull the trigger. With past winners that include three World Champions, as well as numerous AAA and AA competitors, the tournament has plenty of horsepower as a premier Southern California shoot. And so the fifth annual Redlands Club Championship was contested on Saturday, July 1.
Pre-tournament clinics have become a tradition for the Club Championship. This year, Bill Burke of Northern California was welcomed by SoCal shooters looking to enhance their shoot-off doubles skills. Twelve attended the two-hour clinics for Sub-Juniors, Rookies, Veterans and everything in between.
The tournament is a one-day, two-gun affair for 20 and 12 gauges. A full-plus cache of 47 shooters enjoyed great targets in sunny and warm conditions and little to no wind. The nearly all-female staff of referees were in top form with their eyes on the targets. Great releases were ensured by the use of Briley wands, and high scores were expected. The tournament commenced with the yellow shell promptly at 8:30 a.m.
For some, the excellent grub is the reason for joining Redlands events. The now-famous cuisine includes “Chili” Rob McCormick’s secret recipe, island grilled chicken, exotic Asian skewers, and all the sides.
By late morning, the 20-gauge shoot-offs were posted. Remarkably, there was no need to shoot off for champion. Eric Kirk managed the only perfect score to take the gun title outright. But a gaggle of 99s followed by other high-90s scores had some ties to break. Equally remarkable, there were no hundies in the 12 gauge during the afternoon. Five 99s would mean a good shoot-off for the podium as well as some assorted classes.
Shoot-offs followed the main events. Two titles, the 20-gauge and HOA Champion, both by Eric Kirk, had already been determined. Eric’s 199 x 200 made him the 2017 Club Champion. A one-of-a-kind champion’s jacket will be made for him, courtesy of our new title sponsor, Pacific Sporting Arms, and he will be recognized in the clubhouse on the champions’ plaque. Concurrent tie-breakers went on for a while, none more entertaining than the 12-gauge championship. It started with five competitors, Baker dropping off first, then Buoni, then Marble six stations later. Lyman and Kirk were still going when one box was complete. After another half-box, John Lyman emerged with the gun title.
After five years of this prestigious event, the champions’ plaque is now full, with Eric Kirk completing the first perpetual trophy. Previous names on it are Boscovich, Thomas, Bender and Warren. A new plaque will be created next year to run through 2022.
Thanks to our sponsors’ generosity, the championship was a rich event with prizes that included the champion’s jacket, 17 flats of 20-gauge ammunition, leather pouches, a voice release system and eye-care gear. In addition to Pacific Sporting Arms, sponsors were Rob McCormick, Dennis James, Tina Stephens, Chris Baker, Ron Schaefer, Keith Phelps, Hal Stewart, Brian Johnson, Jay and Mary Fitzgerald, Frank and Lori Buoni, Lou Riddle, Dr. Bill Bell, Clay Delay Autopuller, Kern County Gun Club, and Ian and Allison Rangel of Redlands Shooting Park.
With a tradition of camaraderie and friendship enjoyed under ancient elm trees, Redlands enjoys great weather year-round. Located halfway between Los Angeles and Palm Springs, the club is famous for its skeet shoots, high-caliber trap facilities, and an enjoyable sporting clays course. It has great RV hookups that include all utilities, and a small town just down the road. Most importantly, the staff will make you feel welcome and greet you with a smile. Make it a point to stop by and shoot with us.
– Contributed by Chris Baker
Redlands Club Championship Scores |
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| Place | 20 Gauge | Score | Place | 12 Gauge | Score | Place | HOA | Score | ||
| CH | Eric Kirk | 100 | CH | John Lyman | 99 | CH | Eric Kirk | 199 | ||
| RU | Bill Burk | 99 | RU | Eric Kirk | 99 | RU | Dominic Buoni | 198 | ||
| RU3 | Dominic Buoni | 99 | RU3 | Bill Marble | 99 | RU3 | John Lyman | 196 | ||
| AA | Chris Baker | 97 | AA | Dominic Buoni | 99 | AA | Bill Burke | 196 | ||
| A | Tracy Edward | 99 | A | Lou Riddle | 97 | A | Bill Borrelli | 193 | ||
| B | JR Fernandez | 98 | B | Bill Borrelli | 98 | B | JR Fernandez | 193 | ||
| C | Neil Vann | 96 | C | Roman Warren | 97 | C | Roman Warren | 192 | ||
| D | Isaac Smith | 90 | D | Bill Kelly | 95 | D | Isaac Smith | 182 | ||
| LY | Kathryn Friesen | 80 | LY | Kathryn Friesen | 85 | LY | Kathyrn Friesen | 165 | ||
| SJR | Joe Fry | 96 | JR | Isaac Smith | 92 | JR | Joe Fry | 188 | ||
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The North Star Open Skeet Shoot—hosted by the Minneapolis Gun Club in Prior Lake, Minnesota on July 7-9—is putting skeet back on the map in the Midwest. Everything was first class, and the buzz is going around about how much all attendees enjoyed the shooting as well as the camaraderie and fabulous food.
Friday was kicked off with Doubles as Nick Boerboon bested the field with the lone 100, followed by Jerry Ryan for runner-up, and Keith Brace third after shooting off with 99s. Following shoot-offs, everyone in attendance enjoyed a complimentary open bar and hors d’oeuvres. The field regrouped Saturday morning for the 12 gauge, resulting in 100s by Larry Hicks of Kansas, Jeff Korhonen of Minnesota, Kurt Lehman of Iowa, and Nick Boerboon of Pennsylvania. After the dust settled, Boerboon claimed first, Lehman second, and Korhonen third. The 20 gauge was also battled for that afternoon with 100s by Larry Hicks and Ryan Smithart of Iowa. Hicks took top honors followed by Smithart for second, and Nick Boerboon claimed third after shooting off with 99s.
Saturday evening is where the true story is set, as nearly 85 pounds of prime rib was cooked from one in the afternoon until about five in the evening. Steve Collier, Steve Boerboon and Bob Chamberland of Minnesota headed up the cooking operation and were assisted by Mark Cameron, Sam Radford, and Jay Lansing, all of whom volunteered their time for what proved to be the best meal ever served at a shoot. Everything was five stars, from the drinks to the main course and the dessert. All was available to everyone in attendance—competitor or not—as the Minnesota boys, consisting of Don Tesch, Tim Olson, Gene Helsene, Steve Boerboon, Mike Quigley, Brian Hendrickson, Jerry Ryan, Jeff Schneider, Tony Lowe, Leon Rother, Jim McLeod, Rick Volz and Ron McDaniels, donated everything with the goal of putting the North Star Open back on the list of must-attend shoots. The evening was shaping up to be memorable as the crowed geared up for the .410 Calcutta.
Sunday morning’s 28-gauge event resulted in two 100s, Mike Todsen of Iowa and Nick Boerboon. Boerboon ended up claiming top honors while Todsen finished second. Third was taken by Jeff Korhonen after shooting off with six other 98s.
The .410 proved to yet again to be the deciding factor for the illustrious HOA title. Ryan Smithart and Nick Boerboon posted two 99s. After a shoot-off by old college teammates, Boerboon ended up besting Smithart for the .410 title. Third was captured by Keith Brace. As the shoot-offs went on, everyone kept their eyes on the board to see who was in the running for HOA. The Krieghoff sweep of the HOA podium included Nick Boerboon finishing with a 398 for first, Ryan Smithart with a 395 for second, and Larry Hicks taking third with a 394. HAA top spots where claimed by some familiar faces and Krieghoffs, as Boerboon came in first with a 498, Keith Brace of Iowa took second with a 491 and Larry Hicks claimed third with a 483.
After all the scores were added up and competitors shook hands, people reflected on what a weekend it was. One of the best shoots of the summer is sure to attract more competitors in the coming years. From the well-trained staff, to the setting of targets that were on a line to the stake, the Minneapolis Gun Club has accomplished its goal of making this shoot one to remember. Don’t miss out next year, as the same crew will be on post ready to make an enjoyable weekend for all.
– Contributed by Nick Boerboon | Photos by Lauren Nicolai
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Tarentum District Sportsmen’s Club near Sarver, Pennsylvania, held its Patriot 200 on July 4, 2017. Twenty-two shooters participated in the 12-gauge event in the morning and sixteen in Doubles in the afternoon.
The weather was nice, mostly sunny and in the upper 70s. This was the first Fourth of July shoot from the brand-new, beautiful clubhouse.
Chris Kline ran them in the 12-gauge in the morning and won the big-gun championship outright. Class firsts in the 12 went to Bob Rairigh (AA), Paul Augustin (A), Dan Rogowski (B), Don Watt (C), Jared Voris (D), and Nick Sisley (E).
Lunch was excellent and included burgers and chicken on the grill, cowboy beans, and several summery sides. Several desserts were also provided, and the cold keg of 1919 root beer was very popular, especially over vanilla ice cream in a glass – “brown cows” to the older contingent!
Kline was also doubles gun champ with his 98 in the afternoon. Augustin, Vollmer, Richard (“Frenchy”) LaRosa, Tom Sutherland, and Greg Grove took firsts in AA, A, B, C and D classes, respectively.
Don Watt shot his first registered doubles ever and hit 85 of them. Carl Borntrager, who hadn’t shot registered targets for many years, also participated. Bob Cassidy started a little slowly in the 12 gauge but hit his stride in the last two boxes.
Kudos to Bill Straub and Deb Meade for shoot management, to Dan Sanko for work on the fields and to Rich LaRosa, who was a non-shooting volunteer referee. Chris Kline, who has made winning this shoot a habit, gets kudos for the high total of the day, 198. Chris was also 12 gauge and Doubles champ in 2014 and 2015, although he did stub his toe a bit in 2016, only managing AA1 in each event.
– Contributed by George Gleich
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