2018 Parker vs LC Smith 16 ga and 20 ga Challenge Events

[Opening Day]

Originally Posted by Mike Koneski

No need to head to Drake and shoot a round in the AM. We'll be there bright and squirrelly!! Now I just need 2 more guns!!?? Hmmmm, where to find some??

I am sorry but I don't know why some people in the PGCA have it in for Drakes! The courses are fantastic (much better then "others") and the prices are very fair, And all of the people there go out of their way to be helpful and nice and make sure you have a nice shooting experience. So why are we doing this competition, Thursday used to be a nice free day from the Southern and some of us organized a shoot at Drakes Landing.The shoot started on Thursday for anyone who got to the Southern early and wanted to shoot a great course at fair prices . I support the PGCA and have always come to the Southern for the shoot, but I know I can't qualify so what's so wrong with me and others shooting at Drake's Thursday (when no events had been scheduled until last year) and Friday morning! Is this a way to try and shame members to only shoot a one place.......... Sorry I don't get it. Eric

[John Truitt]

Originally Posted by Eric Eis

I am sorry but I don't know why some people in the PGCA have it in for Drakes! The courses are fantastic (much better then "others") and the prices are very fair, And all of the people there go out of their way to be helpful and nice and make sure you have a nice shooting experience. So why are we doing this competition, Thursday used to be a nice free day from the Southern and some of us organized a shoot at Drakes Landing.The shoot started on Thursday for anyone who got to the Southern early and wanted to shoot a great course at fair prices . I support the PGCA and have always come to the Southern for the shoot, but I know I can't qualify so what's so wrong with me and others shooting at Drake's Thursday (when no events had been scheduled until last year) and Friday morning! Is this a way to try and shame members to only shoot a one place.......... Sorry I don't get it. Eric

Eric,

As I am the person who came up with the idea for the 16 ga and now 20 ga Parker/ Smith Challenge Events on Thursday, fund it out of my own pocket, and have never once asked the PGCA or LCSCA for anything related to this event, I can speak and answer your question with truth and first hand knowledge:

THAT IN NO WAY WAS THIS EVENT THOUGHT OF OR STARTED OR OTHER TO DO AS YOU ARE QUESTIONING OR IMPLYING IN YOUR OWN WORDS ABOVE.

No one is instructing or telling or influencing shooters where or where not to go. This has been made clear in all of my other posts and you and everyone else can search those on this forum and see for your selves.

No one is trying to undermine anyone exercising their individuals rights and freedoms to do as they wish and please. I hope everyone willing to shoot can do so and come to the Southern and shoot both places and all venues and events if they so desire.

You are welcome to call me anytime if you need any more clarification or if I have not made myself clear enough. I will PM you my phone number.

[George M. Purtill Member #28]

I shoot at both venues.
Eric-Last year I shot Thursday with you and Daryl at The Drake and had a blast. This year I had to come early to work on the Hall of Fame dinner so I Shot at the Drake on Wednesday and only Buddy Marson was there.
Frankly Dr. Truitt's additional events made the Southern much more interesting.
I too will never make the team and that's good for our team!! But I shoot and support our teammates. The PGCA has a big presence at the Southern and it's important to the PGCA. We have a lot of hardworking members there: Mills, Tom Wooden, Ed Morgan and lots more.
Nobody wants to discourage anyone from shooting the Drake. I love both places for different reasons. But I think every able bodied Parker shooter should be at the Southern. We are outnumbered 3-1 by lcsmith.
I'll shoot with you on Wednesday every year but by Thursday I will be waving the PGCA flag at the Southern.

[Buddy Marson]

George, let's not forget we also shot with Tom Pellegrini. A Parker club member and one fine shot! I had a great time at Drake's and look forward to shooting with you guys and anyone else that wants to join in on the fun next year! We don't keep score sheets and everyone shoots outstanding rounds!

[John Truitt]

From day one, the start of the 16 ga shoot, I have been open and clear and honest that in no way is this a sanctioned event by either the PGCA or LCSCA. That fact is still in effect to this day and will carry over to next years events.

Guys we are fortunate to live in a country that allows us/affords us the luxury of being so passionate about things that are not life and death. Shooting/ collecting/ etc is meant to be fun/ etc.

I will state again what I have said many many times. I hope that everyone who wishes to can shoot at the Southern (at Deep River), or at Drakes, or everywhere in between and both venues/ etc.
Burn lots of powder and have fun!!!!
There is an open invitation to all to come and shoot with us on Thursday for the 16 ga, 20 ga, one or the other or both events. Like I have said before we keep qualifying open until around 4pm, hoping this allows time to shoot Drakes in the am or early afternoon and then time to come over and shoot at the dove field with us.

No offense is taken from any of this discussion and please understand that no offense is given either.

Have fun, burn lots of powder and please do support the PGCA and team Parker in what ever way each of us can. Mr Purtill is right (well spoken. you hit the nail on the head). We are being out numbered. We are putting up a hell of a fight, but we need member support by members coming out and shooting. TEAM PARKER NEEDS YOUR HELP!!!!! On any given day any one of us could make the difference. Take that chance and try. If you don't you will never know what could have happened. Pull the trigger so to speak.
In the end we are all on the same team.

Again no offense meant to anyone. If anyone needs to talk to me please PM me your contact info. I am willing to talk anytime.

All my best,

John

[George M. Purtill Member #28]

Originally Posted by Buddy Marson

George, let's not forget we also shot with Tom Pellegrini. A Parker club member and one fine shot!

Yes I forgot his damn fine shooting. He was kicking our butts on the new course.

[Mike of the Mountain]

Originally Posted by George M. Purtill

I shoot at both venues.
Eric-Last year I shot Thursday with you and Daryl at The Drake and had a blast. This year I had to come early to work on the Hall of Fame dinner so I Shot at the Drake on Wednesday and only Buddy Marson was there.
Frankly Dr. Truitt's additional events made the Southern much more interesting.
I too will never make the team and that's good for our team!! But I shoot and support our teammates. The PGCA has a big presence at the Southern and it's important to the PGCA. We have a lot of hardworking members there: Mills, Tom Wooden, Ed Morgan and lots more.
Nobody wants to discourage anyone from shooting the Drake. I love both places for different reasons. But I think every able bodied Parker shooter should be at the Southern. We are outnumbered 3-1 by lcsmith.
I'll shoot with you on Wednesday every year but by Thursday I will be waving the PGCA flag at the Southern.

I agree with George. We need to be changing that 3-1 ratio of LCS-Parker. Guys like Tom P and Daryl C (among others) would be very useful in swinging that ratio to our favor and adding some good numbers to the qualifier boards.

[C.O.B.]

Here's my take on the challenge and there are others who agree. I said this to Mark Conrad 15 years ago so if you want more shooters you might want to consider adopting a Lewis class system. Lets say you want a squad of 10 shooters then make it two or three of the caliber of say John Truit, then a couple more that aren't A or AA class shooters then the final third your class C or D shooters. This would give more people a chance to make "The team" therefore increasing the number of participants. It should also be limited to original guns, no choke tubes non original barrels etc.

IMHO (and I have NO stake in this it's just an observation) that this has become more about winning and less about the guns and the organizations behind them. I looked at team Parker's winning squad and didn't recognize half of the names. The web site listed them as Forum Members so how fortunate that they signed up as members at Deep River for Parker. A team shooter should have to have been a member of their respective organization for at least 6 months prior to the shoot. You want more shooters what will it hurt to give it a try?

[George M. Purtill Member #28]

Very good points Rich
Mills is in charge of the rules on our side.
I think its all about winning and has been for years.
Question:
What the hell is an original Parker? I'm not sure I own one.