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