Terry Hetrick watches his student, Greg Jackson, in the 20 gauge shoot-off.

Terry Hetrick Wins HOA, 20, and 28 at 2004 Russell Dorris Memorial

Greg Jackson Stars as Doubles and 410 Champ

The Tennessee Clay Target Complex in Nashville, TN hosted the 2004 Russell Dorris Memorial Shoot August 6-8. Russell Dorris was a former manager of the club and a world champion from Tennessee. Mr. Dorris had a deep devotion to the game and his willingness to promote it and help others set a standard in the state which is carried on today.

The Doubles Event was held Friday afternoon with some tricky winds to heighten the excitement. Tom LaCroix, TCTC’s VPof skeet along with Director of Operations, Larry Summarell, fine tuned the Mattarelli traps to handle the gusty conditions. Their work paid off, as some high scores were the result. Junior shooter Greg Jackson of Dickson, TN led the pack with a lone 99. Resident TCTC Pro, Terry Hetrick secured the Runner up spot.

Saturday morning’s 12 gauge event saw no let up with the breezy winds. Eight shooters braved the conditions and shot off for the championship. Mike Gray, Don Donnelly, Ron Goodman, Doug Jackson, Roger Acuff, Pat Zarlingo, Paul Tipton and Jimmy Weathers made the run for the roses. When the target dust cleared, Chattanooga’s Mike Gray stepped into the winner’s circle and Don Donnelly secured the Runner up spot.

Two shooters broke the magic century score in the 20 gauge. Greg Jackson and Terry Hetrick prepared to do battle for the championship Saturday evening. The shoot off was a real crowd pleaser. Four years earlier, Greg, Brother Sam and Dad Doug, wandered into the gun club to shoot skeet for the first time. Doug quickly secured Hetrick as the boys’ coach and great things began to happen. Greg is now a contender at both skeet and sporting clays. 13 year old Sam launched his skeet career at this shoot and promptly broke not only his first 25 but also his first 50 straight! As the crowd watched the showdown between student and teacher it was evident that the smooth young man was a force to be reckoned with. The two knocked the centers out of pair after pair until Greg let a high 4 slip by and Hetrick answered with a solid hit. When interviewed about his win, Hetrick had this comment. “Greg is a tough competitor and you will hear more from him in the future. In fact, you will hear from him again at this shoot!” When asked about how he felt about beating his own student, Hetrick said, “You know, I think I was the only one on the grounds hoping that I would win.”

Sunday morning saw the winds leave the state and the scores showed it. Mike Gray and Terry Hetrick squared off for the 28 gauge title with Hetrick taking home the championship.

Greg Jackson’s coach, Terry Hetrick, correctly predicted that we had not heard the last of him at this shoot. During the first flight of the elusive 410, Greg cleanly dusted the centers of 100 targets. This was his first century score in the baby bore and he set the pace for the others contending for the title.

Not only was the 410 title at stake but four shooters were within 2 birds of the coveted HOA crown. Hetrick, Gray, Goodman and Donnelly prepared to not only match Jackson’s 100 but make a run on the HOA. Hetrick dropped a high 4 and the option in the first round but was able to finish the next 75 clean to claim the HOA title. He was followed closely by Mike Gray who was 1 shy. Ronnie Tucker claimed the ladies title.

Greg’s 100 was securely intact for the 410 championship with Hetrick finishing in the runner up spot. I heard NSSA Level One Instructor Craig Embertson ask Terry about Greg’s victory in the 410 and this is what he said: “I told you he wasn’t done this weekend. Greg is a great shot and an even better student. I did make a mistake however in coaching him. I forgot to tell him that it was hard to break a 100 in the 410. Well, it’s too late now!”

The Russell Dorris Memorial is now history for 2004. I think the greatest thing about the shoot was the Sunday afternoon history lesson that was presented in an impromptu fashion by some of the old members of the club. We found out that Chad Williams, TCTC Director of Shooting had one of Russell’s guns in the safe at the club and he promptly displayed the painted 1100 for all to see. Terry Hetrick, skeet trivia buff of some renown, along with old friends of Russell’s, Sam Jennings and Lowell Hill, recounted stories of the grand master to the delight of many of the younger competitors. Hetrick told the anxious crowd, “I remember when Mark McGuire broke Roger Maris’s home run record. He had the opportunity to hold the bat that Maris used to set the record on the day Mark hit number 62. Getting a chance to shoulder Russell’s trusty 1100 just gives me goose bumps. I hope some of his skill rubs of on me. I’m not talking about shooting skill; I’m talking about his promoting skills. No single person in Tennessee has introduced more shooters to the sport than Russell Dorris.”

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