By Jon Silberhorn
The shooters at Ft Dix, New Jersey were again blessed with fantastic weather during The Garden State Open. Clear skies, warm temperatures and at times a light breeze brought out some good scores for the weekend.
Starting off with doubles on Friday, Olin White won his first ever Gun Championship. Congratulations to Olin and we hope to see him in this slot again soon. Following Olin’s win, Silberhorn took A1, Swenson B1, Gentile C1 and Surman D1.
Saturday again starts with great weather in the 28 gauge. Top slot went to my squad mate, Ed Amaty. Ed has really improved his shooting has taken top slots at other shoots around New Jersey. Congratulations Ed. Following Ed’s win, Russell Paul took AA1, Bill Kunie A1, Charles Murphy B1 and Horace Walker C1.
The 20 gauge was slotted for the afternoon, which turned out to be a little warmer. One reason for the heat was Ray Cronk’s smoking perfect score, which was a walk off win. George (one bird behind) DeSanto came in with AA1, Jeff (DuPont) Fleischut A1, Richard (bad ejector) Gentile B1, Carol (great score) Abernathy C1, and Aaron (one gun) Hagens D1. Congratulations to Melvin Welch for shooting his highest score in the 20 gauge ever. This is what makes the game of skeet so great. Seeing a shooter achieve their first win or their highest score ever, brings smiles to everyone. “Git-um” Melvin!
A special note of thanks goes to Anthony Viel for donating musical instruments at our state shoots for grand prizes. One prize was turned into cash and donated to the Garden State Open. Our grand prize winner was Meryl Boyd. After tickets sales, additional prizes were awarded to Class First in AA-D in the 20 gauge. Winners in order starting with AA were, George DeSanto, Jeff Fleischut, Richard Gentile, Carol Abernathy and Melvin Welch. Congratulations to all shooters and again, thank you to Anthony Viel for the original idea and for providing the prizes.
A cooler Sunday morning starts with the .410. Bringing on the heat was Larry Patrusevich taking gun champ with no shootoff. Russell Paul came in with AA1. After an intense shootoff, Charles Murphy took A1, Lew Petryk took B1, Olin White took C1 and Carol Abernathy finished with D1.
Finally on Sunday afternoon the big guns came out with the 12 gauge. Once again Ray Cronk pours on the heat with the only perfect score making this the second one for the tournament. George DeSanto was not challenged for AA1. Rick Bagni and Jim Hilton battled it out for A1 with Rick taking first place. Dick (Mr. 3200) Lukasik with B1, Horace Walker C1, Carol Abernathy D1. John McGarry with E1 and his highest score in the 20 ever. Congrats John.
Now turning to the HOA event, Ray Cronk again tops the leader board with a unchallenged top score. With Ray’s continuous wins, it almost sounds like the Department of Redundancy Department. Something is wrong with this picture. He runs the shoots and then wins them. “We need Change!” Congratulations Ray on your win. With one bird behind Ray, George DeSanto comes in with AA1, Jeff Fleischut from the DuPont club takes A1, Paul Billings with B1, Horace Walker with C1. HOA was based on the 28 gauge. There may be change in the making. Rick Bagni has made it clear to Ray that in the state shoot, he plans on taking Ray to the cleaners. Will there be change? Stay tuned.
We now recognize all of those that without their help, no shoot is possible. Many thanks to the Cronk’s for running the shoots at Ft Dix. A note of thanks from the Cronk’s to all those that assisted them in making the shoot possible. Thanks to our regular referees that stand out in the hot sun as well as the fill-in refs. Also we thank all the shooters from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and New York for attending our shoot, and congratulations to all Class Winners.
A special note of thanks go to Robert Miller of Miller’s Gun Center in Delaware for providing Winchester insulated coffee mugs that were awarded to shooters achieving their first win or shooting their highest score. Thanks RB! We cannot forget Ft Dix MWR personnel, James, Alena and Chris for keeping the skeet house loaded and always ready for the next squad. Good shooting to all.