November 14, 2010 Gig Harbor Sportsmans Club Clays Match Report

18 Guns Entered

 

     1 Lady, Carrie Morton, and her pet Glock 19

 

     7 Open Class Entries - Class won by Jay Schoonmaker with a score of 45

          2nd Open won by Tim Kopp with a score of 44

 We have a tie for 3rd Open between Darren Foreman and Ken Bagley Sr., both with scores of 43

          

    11 Limited Class Entries - Class won by Dan Gowdy with a score of 43

          2nd Limited won by Hal Hansen with a score of 39

          3rd Limited won by Jeff Morton with a score of 33

 

     Good afternoon clays match fans, and welcome back to Gig Harbor Sportsmans Club and a Clays Match in November.

The weather as cool with the temp at 50degrees, the sky was heavily overcast and the air felt heavy with rain, but

surprisingly it didn't.  The heaters were on, the shooters were dressed for the weather and everyone was comfortable

even on this november day in the Pacific Northwest.  18 Guns came out to play today, and Chuck Treat had a special

feature for everyone.  We have gone all the way through another six pages of the Great Equalizer Series, and today

was dedicated to the targets being set "HELTER SKELTER."  The arrays varied according to the moods of the shooters

setting the targets on the screens, and with the exception of putting only 4 Standards and 4 micros on each side of the

black micro in the middle, the arrays potential was unlimited.  Put'em where you want, let the shooters figure it out.

In keeping with the ambiance of the arrays, Chuck Treat went a step further.  He had gone to the effort to paint the

clays all sorts of different colors.  Some were white, some orange, some green, and some gold, But the one constant

of the arrays, when the Open Class competitors break all of their micros, and the Limited Class competitors break all

of their Standards, they go to the center of the screen and engage the black micro in the middle. 

 

     Before we go any further, many thanks are in order to our match staff.  Chuck Nicodemus was in his usual role as our

Match Director, Doug McLean was back as our scorekeeper and DJ, and of course, Chuck Treat was here in all his

technicolor as our Arrays Impressario.  Thanks gentlemen, and this match was sufficient to do you all proud.  All the color

on the screens today apparently was sufficient to distract all of the shooters from paying strict attention to their

fundamentals, because the scores, while high enough to maintain standards, seemed just a bit below par.  And we didn't

even have any rain to blame it on either.  It was certainly good to have Doug back at the microphone once again.  We have missed his ascerbic wit, and all his stories of injuries past and present.  It's good to know that the human body, despite numerous dents and dings, can still function reasonably well, but just at a slower velocity.  One is reminded of the wisdom of Rick Marcinko, The Rogue Warrior, when he counsels:  "If thou sufferest numerous dents and dings during thy activities,  thou art doing it right!!"  Well, Doug must be doing it very, very right.  Welcome back Doug.

 

     So let's see the results of all this color and creativity.  18 guns turned out on this cold, dreary day, 7 in the Open Class,

and 11 in the Limited Class.  Carrie Morton was the only Lady shooting today, so she and her pet Glock 19 are going to have to wait for another day and more competition to get the fame and acknowledgement she so richly deserves for braving the elements and going up against all the guys.  (actually this reporter just forgot to get her score off the scoresheet, but doesn't want to  admit it :( 

    

     In the Open Class, Jay Schoonmaker continued his winning ways  with a score of 45. Jay shot his Ruger .22

aemi-auto.  Tim Kopp was one off the pace with a score of 44, also shooting a Ruger .22 all decked out with optics.   

We had a tie for 3rd Open today between Darren Foreman and Ken Bagley SR. for 3rd Open, both with scores of 43. 

 

     In the Limited Class,  Dan Gowdy returned after a way too long absence to win the class with a score of 43.  Dan

shot his Les Baer .45ACP 1911, and very well, too.  Welcome back Dan, we hope you make shooting our

clays matches a habit.  It's been way too long since we have seen you.  This reporter, Hal Hansen, took 2nd Limited

with a score of 39.  Hey Dan, don't forget where this range is next Sunday at 4PM.  I want a re-match!!  Jeff Morton

took 3rd Limited today, with a score of 33.  Jeff shoots a Sig 226 in .45ACP.  

 

     OK Folks, that's it for today.  Next week we start over with The Great Equalizer Series, Page 1, Front and Center!

Remember shooters,   The heaters will be on, the roof doesn't leak, and the clays are just challenging you to engage

them.  Come on out and practice all of those fundamentals you have been thinking about and learning.  Remember

tomorrow's Gig Harbor Sportsmans Club's Plate Match, right here at 6PM.  The heaters will be on then as well. 

Practice a lot, practice properly, and then bring the skills out and show them off.  Clays matches are fun and challenging!!

So until next week, shoot a lot, do it right, and always remember:

 

SHOOT FAST!  SHOOT ACCURATELY!!  BUT MOST OF ALL, SHOOT SAFELY!!!

 

Hal