Elissa's
Notebook
January - December 2008
Elissa's Notebook
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Archives: |
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While I was at the Grand, I spoke with Bill Yost of New Jersey. You may recall that I wrote about Bill’s son Ryan in Elissa’s Notebook about a year ago. Ryan registered his first targets in July of 2007 and recently posted a 24x25—his highest score to date—and beat Dad. Great shooting for a seven-year-old! Ryan didn’t participate in the Grand this year, but Bill plans to bring him in 2009. Good luck, Ryan. I just heard that Ethan McCauley and Scott Obenchain both completed their ATA Grand Slams (200 singles in a 200-bird event, 100 from 27 and 100 in doubles). Ethan broke his at the Delta (Colo.) TC’s Labor Day Shoot, while Scott’s was the next weekend at Colorado Clays in Brighton. Rookie shooter Janessa Beaman was shooting on the same squad with both during their accomplishments. It sounds like she just may be a lucky charm. Scott followed up his 100 from the 27 with another perfect century to run 200 straight from the back fence all in one day. Janessa’s dad, Jay, told me, “Scott is a super nice guy who has accomplished quite a bit in the short time he has been shooting.” Scott, who has been registering targets since 2004, had never broken 200 straight in singles until this target year, when he has done it three times—at the Autumn Grand, Colorado State Shoot and Grand American Singles Class Championship. Good shooting, Scott! Ethan did some pretty impressive shooting himself in Sparta, collecting 15 Grand trophies. Look for more information on his accomplishments in the October issue. Speaking of the October issue, there’s a lot of great Grand coverage in the upcoming magazine, so watch for it in your mailboxes. Also, be sure to catch my interview with ATA President Bruce Reed and find out about his shooting career and what he has planned for the upcoming year. I appreciate all the shooters who keep me updated on their accomplishments and those of their friends and families. If you have anything to share, let me know at elissa@trapandfield.com. |
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The Silver Seitz crew enjoys the shooter appreciation party Friday evening.
Scenes from the final day of the 2008 Grand American
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Congratulations to Pat Lamont, 2008 Grand American Handicap champ with the lone 100 straight! The Clay Target shootoff continues. The crowd is starting to wonder if Leo Harrison or Foster Bartholow will ever miss. After 200s in the program, they have both broken 600 more in shootoff. Amazing! Pat exited the tie-breaker after losing his last bird in the 22nd round to take home the third-place prize. Harlan Campbell won the Champion of Champions after a nine-round shootoff. Congratulations, Harlan! The ATA Benefit Sweepstakes winners were announced last night during the Silver Seitz appreciation party. Adam Dahlen of Alexandria, Minn., won the 2009 GMC Sierra. Paul Firle was drawn for a Browning BT99 and 10 flats of shells, while Stan Schwartz is the recipient of a Beretta 391 Urika trap shotgun and 10 flats of shells. John Yablik won a Remington 870 trap shotgun, and Gary Hobbs was drawn for an ATA life membership and a one-year subscription to Trap & Field. Clubs and SCTP teams sold the raffle tickets for $5 and kept $3 for each ticket they sold. What a great fund-raiser for these organizations! Travis Iksic won the UGB25 XCEL Shootout Thursday night. If you recall, Travis won a K-80 last year in the Krieghoff Shoot-out. Great shooting, Travis! I ran into Brett and Anthony Friesen. I had met them at the Minnesota State Shoot, where Anthony won the sub-junior singles title. As state champ, he got to compete in Thursday’s Champion of Champions event here and won the under-15 crown with the lone 100 in his age group. Brett placed third in the Budweiser Handicap Sunday. You’ll find more information about this father and son in the Minnesota State Shoot story. Look for the article in the September issue. The Friesens are heading to the Heartland Grand next. I’ve been hearing that quite a few are travleing to Iowa for that shoot. It sounds like it will be great. Colton Kant broke his first 200 during the SCTP competition. Colton is going to Colorado Springs next week to take part in a Junior Olympic program. Good luck, Colton! I’m leaving for home today. It has been a great Grand, but it will be nice to get back to my normal routine and to see my daughter. After a few days of rest, I’ll be back in the office, catching up on all the work I left behind and getting the Grand results to you. You may not hear from me for a few days, but I’ll be back before long to share with you all the latest happenings in the sport. Safe travels to everyone heading home from the Grand.
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It’s Grand American Handicap day here in Sparta, and shooters are competing for the most coveted prize in trapshooting. Although a thunderstorm briefly interrupted shootoffs last night, the sun is back out today, and it’s great shooting weather. Congratulations to Steve Stedman, yesterday’s Remington Nitro 27 Handicap champ. The Clay Target shootoff continues, with Leo Harrison, Foster Bartholow and Pat Lamont still vying for the title after 400 in overtime. The shootoff also continues for the Champion of Champions event. Harlan Campbell and Randy Chrobocinski are tied after eight rounds of shootoff. Good luck to everyone. Tonight is the drawing for the GMC truck and the Silver Seitz appreciation party. There’s still plenty to keep everyone busy as the Grand winds down.
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There were 59 200s in yesterday’s Clay Target Championship, and five remain tied after 200 in shootoff last night. Leo Harrison III, Foster Bartholow, Bobby Hubble, Pat Lamont and Andrew Zborovsky will return to the firing line tonight to determine the champion. I’d like to congratulate junior Collin Bigras, who broke 200 in the program and was one of the last to miss last night in the tie-breaker. We’ve heard about some Honor Rolls from yesterday too. T&F Rookie of the Year Cole Mitchell broke his first 200 along with George Gresh. Meg Cook and Chad Durbin broke their first 100s. I’m sure we’ll be hearing about more. Watch for their names in Trap & Field.
Jerry Wooden, who registered his first targets in March, broke 199 in the Clay Target Championship and won the Class A runnerup trophy after 50 in shootoff. Jerry accomplished this while shooting an 1897 Winchester. It was a sight to see!
The UGB25 XCEL Shoot-Out presented by Beretta takes place tonight. I got the opportunity to meet Sergio Bonomi, who was part of a three-person team that developed the UGB25 XCEL. He’s been with Beretta for two years, and this is his first time in the U.S. He’ll be here at the Grand today. If you can stop in the Beretta building to see him, try to do it.
Today is the Champion of Champions event and the Remington Nitro 27 Handicap. Check back to find out all the lastest Grand news.
Not only a great trapshooter, but Harlan Campbell also enjoys an occasional game of golf. He shows off his Remington Nitro 27 golf bag. |
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Hi, everyone. You couldn’t ask for better weather here at the 2008 Grand American. If you can get away to shoot the last couple of days, you should definitely do it. Congratulations to Chris Bryson, who broke his first 200 in Monday’s class singles then carded a 99 in yesterday’s President’s Handicap. Chris is from Ohio and has been registering targets since 2005. Great shooting! I also want to congratulate Dale Schlueter. Dale has been helping us here in the T&F booth during the Grand. Yesterday he took a day off to shoot and broke 96 in the handicap, earning a yardage trophy after shootoff. Ronald Stinnett won the President’s Handicap with the lone 100 from 26.5. Congratulations to all the winners! I got a chance to visit vendor row yesterday, and there is so much to see. I bought some Crocs at the Great Outdoors Company, so my feet stay comfortable while walking all over the complex. They also have a lot of great ATA merchandise, so be sure to check them out. They have two stores on the grounds—in the Events Center and Building 4. Remington has their traditional list of winners outside their store. Is your name on it? I also got a chance to stop in Krieghoff. They’ve got a lot of great guns to admire. Be sure to check it out. And if you haven’t tried the homemade cobbler and ice cream in the tent vendors, you are definitely missing out. Today is the Clay Target Championship presented by Beretta. Also, exhibition shooter Scott Robertson will be performing. Scott’ show is a lot of fun to see. He performed for the SCTP shooters last week and was kept busy signing autographs for two hours. Don’t forget the Meet the All-Americans party tonight too! Last night was the Hall of Fame induction banquet, with Jim Hunter, Gerry Russo and Harold Smith being inducted. Hall of Fame inductee Dan Orlich presented Smith. Dan was unable to attend, so he did his speech via video. Smith ran Harold’s Club in Reno, which is where the Golden West Grand started. It was great to hear Dan’s stories about the club and the beginnings of that tournament. Hall of Fame enshrinees Nadine Ljutic and Debbie Ohye-Neilson presented Hunter and Russo for induction. All in all, it was a fantastic night of reminiscing. Watch for the complete story in the pages of Trap & Field. Former Sparta Mayor Randy Bartetto came out to the complex yesterday to join the ATA and planned to do some shooting during the Grand. Good luck, Randy!
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Congratulations to 12-year-old Cash Cain of Eldon, Mo., winner of the Enhancing Today Handicap with 100 from the 19-yard line. It was his first 100 ever! Cash fired at his first clay targets on New Year’s Day after his grandpa bought him a trap for Christmas. He started shooting in a league at Linn Creek in February and began registering targets in April, winning a trophy at his first ATA shoot. “He just loves to shoot,” Cash’s dad Ron said, adding that Cash is an outdoors person. He also enjoys playing the guitar and saxophone and is on the honor roll at school, where he is going to be in the seventh grade this year. Ron said they were very happy to meet many of the veterans of the sport at the Grand, including ATA President Neil Winston, Leo Harrison and Frank Wood. These men offered their congratulations to Cash, and Ron was impressed that they took the time to do that. Congratulations to Cash! I also got to meet Bart Walker of Texas, who broke his first 200 during the NRA Singles, which took place Saturday and Sunday. He was so nervous going into Sunday that he forgot his shell bag, so he ran to his truck to get it and got halfway there before realizing he forgot the keys to the truck. By the time he made it to the line, he was just hoping to hit the first target. Bart dedicated his accomplishment to his wife Pam and his two daughters. His daughters, who are in college, were coming home to visit during the Grand, and Bart didn’t want to miss the chance to see them. Wanting Bart to enjoy the sport he loves, they told him to go to the Grand and have fun. After that, he made it his mission to do well in Sparta.Good shooting, Bart! The attendance awards took place last night on the stage behind the Events Center. The party included appetizers and a live band. Friends Dean Townsend of the Central Handicap Committee, Bob Glatz and Bob Gibson were all celebrating their 40th Grand and shared cupcakes shaped in the number 40 with the crowd. Dave Berlet was honored for attending his 65th Grand. Wow! His first was when he was one year old, attending with his parents. Watch the pages of Trap & Field for all who received attendance awards. Four parties are taking place during the week behind the Events Center with the next on Wednedsday for the Meet the All-Americans event. Come out and see us and get a chance to talk to these great shooters. I met Rob Stock of Mascoutah, Ill., yesterday. He’s just getting into the sport and bought his first gun on the grounds—a Browning XT from Guns Unlimited. He was on his way back to vendor row to find a gun case and some glasses too. Shopping the vendors is one of the best parts of the Grand and a great opportunity to get everything you need all in one place. Rob isn’t shooting in the Grand this year but said we will defininitely see him next year. Watch for his name in the pages of Trap & Field. There were 44 200s in the class singles yesterday. Shootoffs continue for that event, and we’ll let you know the winners when they’re completed. I’ll be back soon to update you on everything that’s happening at the Grand. It’s been great so far, and I’m sure it’s only going to get better.
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I have arrived in Sparta, and I’m so glad to be here. I’ve already run into many old friends, and I’m looking forward to seeing more. Be sure to stop by the T&F counter in the Events Center to say hi and let me know how you’re shooting. Congratulations to Cathy Wehinger and Stacy Bringelson for becoming the third and fourth women to join the ATA Grand Slam list. Cathy completed hers Aug. 3 at Janesville CC in Wisconsin with 100 from the 27-yard line. Stacy broke 100 in Thursday’s doubles here at the Grand to complete her Grand Slam and claim women’s honors. Stacy’s brother Denis won the event with 100, and he also topped Wednesday’s twins with a perfect century. Congratulations! I’m looking forward to all of the week’s events and will be back soon to let you know about everything that’s happening. |
I presented Cathy Wehinger’s Grand Slam pin to her at the |
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Hi, everyone. Washington ATA Delegate George Seubert’s Around the ATA article didn’t make it into the August magazine, so I’m including here. Sounds like there’s a lot of great stuff going on in the state. “Hello from Washington. “Karma and I went to the Idaho State Shoot in
Lewiston, and it looks like this was the last shoot to be held there. Quite
a number of Washington shooters showed up. George Seubert Thanks, George, for your report. We’re keeping busy here in the office with a constant stream of shoot reports arriving daily. I can’t believe the Grand is almost here. If you’re in Sparta, be sure to stop by the T&F booth to say hi. |
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I returned Monday from the California State Shoot, and I’ve been keeping busy working on the August Grand American on-the-grounds issue. Congratulations to all the California champions: Glenn Kowalchik, singles; Charles LaBraque, doubles; Dan Bonillas, handicap; and Terry Bilbey, all-around. This was Dan’s 25th state title and his first for handicap! Scores were very high throughout the tournament, with seven 100s in handicap during the week Also, congratulations to Robert Terry, who was inducted into the state Hall of Fame during a ceremony Sunday morning. I spent some time going through the Hall of Fame while I was there. They have done a wonderful job preserving their state’s history. I’ll be writing about the California Hall of Fame in an upcoming issue. Be sure to watch for it. I hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July! Let me know what your club is doing this summer at elissa@trapandfield.com. |
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Hi, everyone. Shooting is in full swing all over the country, and we’re busy here in the T&F office keeping up with the shoot reports. I had a lot of fun in Michigan at the Great Lakes Grand seeing old friends and making new ones. One person I enjoyed meeting while I was there was singles champ Mike Thomas of Wisconsin. He won the title with his first-ever 200 straight. I just heard from him, and he’s been doing well since the GLG. He is now 250 straight in his league at Lakeview T&SC in Muskego. Leagues are great practice for ATA shooting. Mike is shooting in the Wiscons Five-Main Team Shoot at Waukesha GC this weekend. That’s always a fun shoot. Hope many of you can make it there. Look for your July issue for full Great Lakes Grand coverage and to read more about Mike. I’ll be heading out next week to attend the California State Shoot. As always, I’m sure it’s going to be a lot of fun. Let me know how you’ve been shooting at elissa@trapandfield.com.
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Trapshooting Hall of Fame inductee and past ATA President Earl Toliver will be turning 95 on June 16. A celebration in his honor is taking place at the Comfort Inn in Bedford, Ind., on June 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. Cards can be sent to Earl Toliver, PO Box 121, Orleans, IN 47452. Earl has won over 500 trophies while registering more than 400,000 targets during his trapshooting career. Wow! Happy Birthday, Earl! I will be arriving tomorrow in Mason, Mich., for the 21st Great Lakes Grand. If you’re there, be sure to stop by and say hi! |
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Congratulations to New Mexico ATA Delegate Randy Chrobocinski for placing second in the Southwestern Grand Doubles Championship. Look for complete Southwestern Grand results in the June issue, which will be arriving in your mailbox soon. Check out the June cover (which includes Randy’s picture) on our home page. Randy told me about a club in New Mexcio that is reopening after being closed to registered shooting for more than 20 years. Welcome back, Hobbs Gun Club! The club’s first ATA shoot is planned for June 14. They will have four program traps with three Pat-Traps plus a new clubhouse. Also, shooters will be able to enjoy several sun-shade areas with benches, tables and gun racks. Hobbs GC has already held two non-registered shoots this spring for the local 4-H group and a local church, which were important fund-raisers for both the club and the organizations. Located six miles north of Hobbs on the Lovington Highway at the old Hobbs Army Air Base, the club is open for practice on Thursdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. Thanks to Don Maddox for filling me in on the club details. He recognized Bob Leibel, Dennis Meador and Burl Farmer for leading the way to Hobbs’ reopening. Gas prices are affecting everyone these days, and we are feeling it in trapshooting. Randy told me about a plan that the New Mexico clubs are discussing to help deal with the problem. Clubs in the state are thinking of holding a shoot similar to the ATA zone telephonic shoots. The tournaments would be conducted at the same time as one shoot, with participants competing against everyone at all the clubs. This would allow shooters to take part in a larger tournament without having to travel a long distance. During difficult economic times, ideas such as this one can really help our sport. Is your club coming up with innovative ideas to keep people shooting? If so, let me know at elissa@trapandfield.com. I’m heading out this weekend to Mason, Mich., for the Great Lakes Grand. I hope to see many of you there! |
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I am so glad to be a part of
trapshooting, an activity that so many families enjoy together. |
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Thanks, Pam, for sharing this with us. Recently Harlan Campbell Sr. accompanied his son to the Spring Grand. Not surprisingly, JR collected numerous trophies, including the doubles and all-around titles, while Harlan Sr. earned B runnerup honors in the class twins. Harlan Jr. was introduced to the sport by his dad when he was seven years old, and the four-time All-American captain says his dad has been the most influential person for him in the sport. In an interview I did with Harlan several years ago, he said, “My dad gave me very good working basics—something that would allow me to shoot any place, anywhere and compete well.” I will be attending the Great Lakes Grand next month and am bringing my daughter Avery along. It will be her first trapshoot, and I’m looking forward to introducing her to the great people in this sport. She’s already asking if she can try shooting. Now that spring weather is arriving, take the opportunity to enjoy a day at the gun club with your family. Let me know about your trapshooting family at elissa@trapandfield.com. |
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After the shoot concluded Sunday, I took a drive through Saguaro National Park, which is just a few miles from Tucson T&SC. I recommend that everyone check out the beautiful scenery is this park the next time you’re in Tucson. Saguaro National Park celebrates its 75th anniversary this Saturday. Go to www.nps.gov/sagu/ to find out more. I love hearing from everyone around the country. E-mail me at (elissa@trapandfield.com) to let me know what’s going on at your club. |
Despite freezing rain on the day I flew out, I made it to Tucson for the Spring Grand and enjoyed some nice warm weather. Congratulations to all the champions, which included Missouri ATA Delegate Karrol Hillebrand, singles; Gene Bibb, handicap; Harlan Campbell Jr., doubles and all-around; and Ray Stafford, HOA. Also, a big congratulations to Sean Hawley for completing a record-setting long run in doubles of 1,130. Watch for the April issue to find out more about these shooters’ achievements. I got the opportunity to talk to many shooters while I was in Tucson, including Jim and Jaimie Hughes of Washington. Jim decided to show his enthusiasm for the sport by getting a clay target tattoo on his leg during the tournament, and Jaimie collected two handicap awards at the Spring Grand. I also met Darrel and Marilyn Miller of Kansas. Marilyn showed me a quilt she made with trapshooting T-shirts. It fits perfectly on the bed in their motorhome. What a great idea for using those shirts we all collect at shoots!
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Next
time you visit Tucson T&SC, take the opportunity to check out the scenery in
nearby Saguaro National Park |
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I’m heading to Tucson tomorrow for the
Spring Grand—hopefully. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the weather
system moving into Indiana doesn’t ruin my plans. |
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Redlands’ (Cal.) New Year’s Shoot was a
success, with 30 squads competing on the tournament’s biggest day. Shooters
came from Arizona, Nevada, Idaho and Canada in addition to all parts of
California. The club sponsored a tri-tip dinner one evening for shooters and
their guests. |
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ATA members Tammy Webb, Shed Doyle and Rick Webb
participated in the Santa Suit Shoot. “Santa Tammy” earned high-gun honors
with 25 straight. |
I hope everyone had a great Christmas this year! I enjoyed my time with family and friends and trust you did too. Androscoggin Fish & Game in Auburn, Maine, celebrated the holiday by holding their first Santa Suit Shoot Dec. 23. Six shooting Santas participated, with Tammy Webb breaking 25 straight for top honors. The club plans to make the Santa Suit Shoot an annual event, so keep this fun day in mind for next year. A new member of the ATA family, Androscoggin F&G will hold their first registered tournaments in 2008. Welcome! Watch for their dates in T&F’s Shoot Directory. Happy New Year to everyone! I look forward to all the great things to come next year! Let me know what your club has planned for 2008 at elissa@trapandfield.com. The New Year’s Shoot at Redlands (Cal.) T&SR begins today. I’ll be back soon to let you know all the happenings.
Six shooting Santas took the line at Androscoggin Fish & Game’s Santa Suit Shoot, which the club plans to make an annual event.
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