It was the perfect Smokey Mountain morning as the sun broke over the trees in the Eastern Sky. Charlie, Lillian and Ronnie had everything just right so all could have the time of their life. The weatherman even co-operated with us. Although it is usually hot, hot, hot for August in these parts, the weather was excellent with temps remaining in the comfortable mid-80s thru out the day. We even had a refreshing breeze (something you beg for in July & August) most of the day.
Excitement for this shoot has been growing and building since Charlie started “talking” about the (White Hats), A 5 MAN Team from Old Hickory Rifle & Pistol Club, NC. Flyers, e-mails, websites, pony express; the word got out! A five-man team challenge was set for our August shoot on the 23rd with the showdown in the SINGLES event.
Our whole day was filled with activities that trap shooters just can’t pass up – Singles, Handicap, and Doubles. But all eyes were on the first event for the day because of the team challenges. We had 4 teams show up for the challenge: Of course the White Hats from Bostic, the Old arts from east of Rutherford County, the Boonies from Watauga County, and Bob’s Bulldogs from Gaston County.
Don Kaufman got the Old Farts team together and they took to the field first. Team members included Jeff Solomon, Connie Bell, Robert Middlemas and Gary Woeltjen. They turned in a team score of 465. The Bulldogs took to the field 2nd. Team members were Bryan Breslin, Mike Holland, Henry McGinnis, Dean Egert and Jason Cloninger. They turned in a score of 475. The excitement was building! The “talking White Hats were scheduled to shoot 3rd. Charlie Smith, Bruce Whittemore, Mike Gilbert, Vic Williams and Tony Honeyman made up the team. The White Hats turned in a score of 476. That just left the Boonies. Members were Morgan Shaw, Tom Shelley, Ken Rhyne, Jamie Ivey and Jim Ivey. After the smoke cleared, they settled with a score of 460.
Listen up now! The 5….5….5 man team champions are the “White Hats”. By one bird. That’s like Michael Phelps 1/100th of a second finish at the Olympics, wouldn’t ya’ll say!
After the last shot of SINGLES competition, it was time for some lunch. Charlie took orders for pizza. We now have a new Italian restaurant called Sopranos in the neighborhood. Everyone enjoyed their lunch.
After lunch it was back to gunnin’ and funnin’. Again, gunsmoke aroma filled the air along with the constant sounds of Pull!, Mark!, Yea1, Ahh!!, and so on. Sweet music to the ears and shooting dear to the heart-Handicap.
Mike Gilbert took our Handicap event with a 95. Mike shoots from the 20.5 and has been smoking targets lately. He earned a ½ yard this time. Ain’t this fun. The Doubles event was last with 13 competitors eagerly waiting to shoot. After all the shooting was done, Ray Gaultney, from Forest City, was champ with a score of 97.
Charlie Smith won the HOA with a 276. We wish to thank all the shooters who came to our shoot. If you ever get over toward the Smokey Mountain foothills of Bostic, NC and want to have some real fun, come see us at Old Hickory Rifle & Pistol Club. Everybody is always welcome. By Charlie Smith
Five! Five! Five Man Team Shoot!!!
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bluedsteel
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