E-Class R/U and new NSCA member, Dan Nelson

Ladies Champ, Susan Wall (left) with Melissa Ragsdale

Event winner, Doc Plaxco

R/U Tim Jewell discusses targets with M3 Greg Jackson

Thanks to the TSCA, there is never an off-season for sporting clays enthusiasts. The 2005 Winter Series provided 10 events at many of the finest clubs in the state. In a sport known to be expensive, the Winter Series provides value. Reasonable entry fees allow shooters to return home with money still in their pockets.

The final event of the series took place at the Tennessee Clay Target Complex in Nashville. This is an appropriate location for the series finale. A central location in urban Nashville and great facilities makes TCTC one of the best tournament venues in the south.

The conditions could not have been more pleasant. Temperatures hovered around 80 degrees with bright sunshine. Redbuds and dogwoods were in spring bloom. A parade of fishing boats and an occasional barge navigated up and down the Cumberland River. The grounds were mowed, if not manicured. The Mattarelli traps were loaded and ready for action. A great day for sporting clays!

The targets were all hittable and arguably, too much so. Some competitors were hopeful that the last event of the series would reveal tougher tournament targets. High scores bare evidence to the complaint, but soft targets provide lots of fun, which is an important component of the Winter Series.

Alabama’s Doc Plaxco performed surgery on the course as the doctor’s Krieghoff broke 97 targets. Kentucky’s Tim Jewell was very close behind with a 96. Also, of note is Joey Pulley’s score of 96 to win A-class. The Houston county native has been previously accused of sandbagging and may be facing similar indictments during the 2005 season.

The series winner was Mike Redmond. Mike was HOA in three of the ten events. Most importantly, he shot consistently throughout the series, rarely far off the lead. Mike is a repeat winner, having also won the 2004 Winter Series. Congratulations, Mike. We are relieved to have a native Tennessean win the series!

There were many excellent performances. All winners deserve applause but we need not lose sight of the fact that sporting clays is not just about winning. It is a game of fellowship and discipline, which challenges the individual to be the best he or she can be.

Now that the Winter Series kept the rust off the participants, let’s all get ready for next weekend’s Ducks Unlimited Continental. See you there!

Results...

Series Champion, Mike Redmond

A-Class Champ, Joey Pulley

Greg Jackson was Junior Champ

Spring time at TCTC