From the 2010 Spring Grand

[Scott Hoover]

I arrived in Tucson late yesterday afternoon in time to drive through part of the heavy downpour that had swept through the trap club. Quite a few people pulled out of the second hundred of the Preliminary Week Singles Championship due to that weather.

I hadn't originally planned to get in until today, but when I was contacted about a month ago by Frank Alleman at the Kane County (Kanab) Gun Club I changed my plans so that I could visit their club on my way down to Tucson.  The Kane County club has been involved in ATA in years past and the folks down there would like to get back into it. I spent about an hour visiting with Frank and the ATA Rookie of the Year, Robert Helms.  The members of the club have put in a lot of work to fix the club up and I thought it looked like a very nice facility. The grounds looked very good with the addition of some gravel that was donated by the county.

In all likelihood, they won't be able to host their "Opener" until the fall, but we did talk about the possibility of them getting their feet wet by starting out with some Big Fifty events. So that might be able to happen sooner.

It was supposed to rain today, but they were wrong about that. It's supposed to rain tomorrow, I'm hoping they are wrong about that too, but I've got a feeling they won't be. From Tuesday through Sunday it's starting to look like the weather will improve and get back to warm and dry, which is what I came down here for.

Despite the slightly wetter than norm weather, turn out for the Preliminary Week has been much higher than expected. Each of the championship events had more than 200 entries.

One last thing. If you drive down here, be aware that Arizona has taken to Photo Traffic Enforcement, big time. Don't ask me how I know.  

[Scott Hoover]

In case you are interested, Spring Grand scores can be found at the following sites:

http://scores.tucsontrapandskeet.com/

http://www.trapshooters.com/shootscores/

The Tucson site shows scores by squad. The Trapshooters.com has the data in a sortable format.

[Scott Hoover]

Well, I can't speak first-hand about today's weather 'cuz I chickened out and didn't shoot. Instead I was pressed into service at the handicap desk which allowed Allan Radway (Western Zone VP) and Dannie McKenzie (Western Zone CHC member) to shoot. I think they would have gladly switched places with me, especially during the handicap.

We had very windy conditions along with rain during the handicap. But as usual, a few people manage to persevere. In this case, Sean Hawley managed to best the field again by posting the lone 96. Incidentally, Sean  was the Prelim Week Handicap Champion yesterday when he posted the lone 97. He has won 4 of the 5 handicap events so far.  And that isn't a trivial accomplishment because most of the best shooters in the country are here.

The weather for Tuesday through Friday is supposed to be a bit nicer. Everyone seems to taking the unseasonable weather in stride, but I know we all look forward to more pleasant weather. The turnout seems to be very good. Despite the weather today we had around 300 shooters. I think that's good for a preliminary warmup day that doesn't count in the HOA.

I had the pleasure of classifying Dr. Frank Rively today. Dr. Rively is the new ATA Executive Director and is making his first trip to the Spring Grand.  I also ran into Brent Cloward this morning and had a nice visit with him and his wife. They were heading out to do some sightseeing.  There's a good number of Utah shooters here. If you use the trapshooters.com link I posted above, you can sort the scores by state which makes it a little easier to see how your friends are doing.

I found out that a group in Las Vegas is working on getting ATA shoots at the new Clark County Shooting Park. I hope they can get the details worked out because Vegas is always a fun place to shoot.

Well, until tomorrow, take care

[Scott Hoover]

The weather improved for Tuesday, clear blue skies but a bit cooler than normal. This weather should continue through Friday and then there's a chance of rain on Saturday.

The turnout continues to be strong. There are a good number of Utah shooters showing up. Yesterday I talked with Ed Wehking. He had just picked up his new Wenig stock and was trying it out on the practice trap. Judging from his scores yesterday, it looks like it will work out.

I noticed that John Vosnos has arrived, but I have not talked to him yet. Wynn Isom is supposed to be in this morning. And when I talked with Brent on Monday he said he was going to start shooting today.  Brad and Sheree Averett are supposed to arrive tomorrow morning and Justin and Leslie Bodily arrived last night. So, we have a very good turnout of Utah shooters and I have high hopes for some good scores and wins by them.

It's not too late to head down here and get some shooting in. The Spring Grand is one of the largest shoots in the West and it's the closest you can come "locally" to the atmosphere and competition of the Grand American.

Until later, take care. 

 

 

 

[Scott Hoover]

The weather is finally getting back to normal. I was even able to justify wearing a t-shirt yesterday afternoon.

Folks continue to filter in. I saw Jerry Batley yesterday. He's down to get fitted by the guys at Wenig. You may recall that Jerry was the high bidder on a gorgeous stock blank at the Uintah basin shoot. Part of the package was a custom fitting session to determine the dimensions for his final stock.

Sean Hawley topped the Utah shooters in yesterday's doubles with a 99, followed by Craig Hart with a 98. That was good shooting because while the targets looked great it was quite cool in the morning with temperatures in the low 40s and a breeze that kinda cut through you.

Earnie Shepherd lead the Utah shooters in the afternoon handicap with a 96. Congratulations to Earnie for showing us all how it's supposed to be done.


Until the next time, have fun.

[Scott Hoover]

The Spring Grand has been at Tucson Trap & Skeet for a number of years, but this is only my second time here. Because of that, I'm not up on all the good eating places, but other people are. Leslie Bodily was talking to Joe Roach and John Vosnos and she asked if they knew of any good steakhouses. They told her that the best steaks are at Lil Abner's Steakhouse about 20 miles north of the club off I-10.

So off we went last night to try it out. "We" consisted of Justin, Leslie, Brad, Sheree, and me. I got there first and decide we probably hadn't been steered wrong because I was followed in by John Vosnos and Jerry Batley who were accompanied by their significant others.  I was also pretty sure I was at the right spot because I knew they cooked the steaks and ribs on a big outside mesquite-fired barbeque grill, and you can smell the smoke from about a mile away.

Lil Abner's is a colorful place. Over the years, patrons have taken to writing on the walls. And almost every accessible spot is covered with some kind of message. I'm not sure how old the place is, but one message was dated 1992.

We ordered and had a very nice dinner. Brad had the rack of ribs and when he was finished I asked him which was better, these or the ribs he had at South Side in Sparta. He said they were prepared differently, but both were great. I took the traditional "eating ribs pic.". It was pretty dark inside, but I think you can get the idea.

Jerry tried to start another tradition, but I nipped that in the bud. He sent the waitress over to me with his parties' bill. I laughed and sent her back to Jerry. I can just imagine the crowds following me around to find out where I'm eating so they can get a free dinner.  

Well, time to head out. I sure hope this rust drops off soon.

Take care.  


 

[Scott Hoover]

The Championship events for this year's Spring Grand started with Friday morning's Doubles. Another indication that it's time to get serious was the arrival of the Big Dogs. Yes, Doug Ford and his sister, Pam, finally got here.  Doug was having a little trouble with his triggers, so he decided to just shoot practice and cheer everyone else on. That didn't work real well, but ... it's the thought that counts.

There were a couple notable doubles scores by Utah shooters. Bruce Bachman lead the Utah contingent with a 98, and Sharred Oaks posted a 93. Bruce's score was not quite enough to get him in contention for a trophy in AA, but Sharred's score did get him into the Sub Junior shoot-off. When we left for dinner the three sub juniors were tied with 24s in the first round. I'll have to check to see how he fared after we left.  [Just checked, Sharred won the shoot-off. Congratulations, Sharred, that was a nice win. Correction - Sharred took runner-up; that's still a nice win. He won trophies in several other events too. A very nice showing.]

Dinner last night was at another of the local "colorful" steakhouses. This time it was Fred's Arena Bar & Steakhouse. Leslie, Doug and Pam found out about this place last November at the Autumn Grand. They had a little adventure getting to the place (it's on a dirt road about 20 miles southwest of the club and they almost got stuck in the deep, powdery dirt), so of course we all had to go. Fred's is kind of a RV park, horse farm, bar and grill-type operation. The food was good, but we failed to have much of an adventure. It turns out that when they went in November they took a wrong turn and approached Fred's from the wrong direction.

The championship events continue today with the Singles Championship. Due to the size of the Spring Grand all events are shot 10 per post. Also due to the size, the singles today will be 150 targets, instead of the usual 200 that are used to determine Singles Champions at most other tournaments.

If you would like to shoot this weekend, keep in mind that Ogden is having a registered shoot today and tomorrow.





Take care.  

[Scott Hoover]

Doug Ford and Leslie have had a standing bet of $1 per event. Whoever beats the other owes a dollar. When Leslie married Justin, Justin was drawn into the bet. Last night at dinner at Fred's, the "pool" was expanded for today's Singles Championship to include me, Doug's sister Pam, and Brad and Sheree Averett. Additionaly, each of today's three sub events was considered a seperate bet for a total of $21 in the pool.

Well, Justin must have really wanted that money because he went out and burned down the 150 like they were nothing. He then went on to best 8 of the 11 shooters who shot 150 to claim the Spring Grand AA Champion trophy. The shoot-off went seven rounds. During six of those rounds Justin was in contention for Spring Grand Singles Champion.

I know he'll like the trophy, but he really just wanted to take all of our money.

 

[Scott McKinnon]

Great shooting Justin!

[Scott Hoover]

Well, it's raining pretty steadily right at the moment (8:10am). There are a few brave souls shooting practice, but most don't seem too interested in going out just yet although the event has started. Should be interesting.