Spring Southern 20 and 16 ga Challenge Event report

[John Truitt]

I apologize as I do not have any pictures of these events. Perhaps Mills or Mr Franzen or someone else might have some to share.

We had very good weather on Thursday at Deep River. Temps were in the mid 70s and it was dry thru out the day.
Shooting started around 10am.

Rick Hemingway set up two very good five stands, each appropriate for their respective gauge. Five stand #1 (larger one to the right) was for the 16 ga event and five stand #2 (tighter field to the left) was for the 20 ga event.

I don't know the exact total but near the end of the days event, qualifying, Rick said he had 40 squads go thru the 16 ga event and 70 squads go thru the 20 gauge event.

Rick did a fantastic job of setting targets. The 16 ga courses targets had a bit more distance but the overall feeling was the 20 ga course shot much more difficult than the 16 course. The 20 ga courses targets had more variation in speed and were more "technical" in presentation.

Squads were mixed with both LC Smith shooters and Parker shooters.

Qualifying started around 10 am and went until around 3:30 almost 4pm.
Due to a miscommunication and some technical difficulties Rick was unable to re set the targets for the team challenge.
There were several ties for places on the teams, which were settled by several, and I mean several shoot offs. (not the format intended but will be corrected for next year so we don't have the same problem)

The scores for both teams were very very equal.
Once the shot offs were completed the teams were established as follows:

Team Parker:
20 ga: 16 ga:
1. Mike Koneski 1. Mike Koneski
2. Bryan Bradey 2. Danny Patton
3. Dave Wunrow 3. Bryan Bradey
4. Danny Patton 4. Carl Brandt
5. Dave Fjelline 5. Randy Roberts

Team LC Smith:
20 ga: 16 ga:
1. Lanny Provience 1. Dave DeFerlemont, JR
2. Tony Tucker 2. Chuck Bradey
3. Randy Roberts 3. Tom Snyder, JR
4. Terry Reckhart 4. Adam Pickett
5. Eric Oldham 5. Don Shumaker

The teams gathered and shooting began on the 16 ga five stand first.
Scores were very tight but team LC bested team Parker by a 3 or 4 bird margin.
Shooting continued on the 20 ga five stand next and again it was nail bitter as team LC bested team Parker by a 1 bird margin.

Trophies were awarded to the five top individual scores from each final event.
As follows:
20 ga: 16 ga:
first: Lanny Provience (LCS) first: Dave Deferlemont (LCS)
second: Mike Koneski (P) second: Chuck Brdey (LCS)
third: Tony Tucker (LCS) third: Tom Snyder (LCS)
fourth: Bryan Bradey (P) fourth: Mike Koneski (P)
fifth: Randy Roberts (LCS) fifth: Danny Patton (P)


I want to thank everyone who came out and supported this event. This is the third year of this Thursday event and the first year of the 20 ga event being added.
Everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves. Participation continues to increase. God willing I will continue to sponsor these events. We went thru some growing pains this year and hit some bumps in the road. I want to extend my gratitude for everyone being patient and understanding and being so supportive. We learned a lot from our mistakes and are already working on how to correct them and make next years events even that much better and smoother.

Please note that we are planning on having the 20 ga and 16 ga Parker vs Smith challenge events next year on Thursday at Deep River.
Due to demand (there has been a lot for this) we will be adding a Parker vs Smith 10 ga challenge event on Wed next year. (details to follow in the future)

For next year the following changes will be made:
1. award to all those who make the final teams (top five from each team)
2. individual awards for top scores shoot in the final challenge
3. team award for each gauge (given to the winning organization)

new awards: High overall award, given to the shooter who participates in all five challenge events (10 ga, 16, 20, challenge and hammergun challenge) with the highest combined score from all five qualifying events. (using their qualifying scores only)
(HOA as above for open award and veteran award)

[Mills]

Thanks for all of your work in putting that on John

[Dean Romig]

You have done a fantastic job Mr. Truitt! Thanks so much for all your hard work and dedication!





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[Mike Franzen]

That was a great idea as evidenced by the participation. Next year I’m bringing a 20 ga so I can get my butt kicked in that event as well. It was a lot of fun. Thanks for your efforts.

[Randy Roberts]

Thank you very much for the very comprehensive report on those events John. I had no clue that there were that many shooters involved. Obviously it was well-received. It would appear at this point I need to start shopping for a 10 gauge, darn the luck.

[Mills]

Randy, I shot the Smith Parker qualifying round with a 10 gauge and it was a charge. They make great waterfowl guns as well

[John Truitt]

Randy the ten gauge guns are a lot of fun.

I would recommend you get one. You would enjoy one.

Folks have been asking for a 10 ga event for several years now. I am very excited that Rick is willing to put one on Wed at the Southern.

[Randy Roberts]

John and Mills: I may reach out to the two of you in the not-too-distant future to glean a little knowledge from each of you. I know that you are both involved in the big bores. I will begin my quest shortly.

[Mills]

Please do. I am happy to help