TSCA Winter Series Report: Heritage MeadowsGreg Jackson tops the field with a score of 98 while Mike Redmond seizes M1.2/26/05Maybe it is a symptom of global warming, but the weather for the Winter Series Shoot at Heritage Meadows felt like April, rather than February. The loud singing of chorus frogs and strutting gobblers on a distant hillside celebrated the brilliant sunshine and comfortable 60 degrees. It was to be a great day for sporting clays. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains, adjacent to the Cherokee National Forrest, Heritage Meadows Preserve is as picturesque as any post card. Maintaining concentration was sometimes difficult as the spectacular scenery constantly competed for the shooter’s attention. Facilities included a gorgeous clubhouse with a pro-shop, dining hall and over night guest rooms. For the scatter gunners, Heritage Meadows has a duck flush, skeet, wobble trap, covered five-stand and layouts for multiple sporting clays courses. Upland hunting is their specialty. In fact, quail hunters could be seen with bird dogs in distant fields throughout the competition.
The 13-station sporting clays course is equipped with brand-spanking new Pro-Matic traps, so broken birds were few and far between. Pro-Matics are excellent traps capable of throwing complex and curling targets. Such was the case at this shoot. All the targets were fun but required the shooter to study target lines and stay focused. Mike Redmond may be the most consistent, if not most frustrated, shooter in the Winter Series, having finished runner-up in two of the previous four events. Not a bad position to be in, since the Winter Series will average each shooter’s top four scores with his final event score to determine the winners. Mike completed his round late in the morning with a remarkable total of 97. It was an excellent score by any measure. When Greg Jackson arrived at mid-day to shoot, Mike would not share his score with the junior shooter.
“I just wanted Greg to go out on the course and earn his score,” said Mike. “He needs to think about the targets and not be pressured by another shooter's score.” It soon became apparent; the 17 year-old, junior shooter was atop his game. Shooting with his father and Larry Hoepfinger, Greg attacked the course with confidence and ended the day with the winning score of 98...in spite of his dad’s coaching! Congratulations to Greg, Mike and all the class winners. Thanks to Gerald Hyde and all the staff at Heritage Meadows for hosting a first-class event. The TSCA Winter Series continues with Benton Gun Club on March 19th and Montlake Classic Clays on March 20th. Bring a friend and join the fun! |
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