Staff
A perfect round helped Fort Frances Sportsmen’s Club member Brad Houghton capture the club’s annual skeet championship on Saturday.
The competition went forward despite blustery conditions that wreaked havoc with the targets, making it difficult for the shooters to track down the orange “pigeons” in the sky.
Thanks to a perfect score of 25 in his first round, Houghton narrowly edged out Ted Brockie in the four-round, 100-shot shoot-off for top gun, nailing 87 shots in total to Brockie’s 86.
The 25 was Houghton’s second flawless round of the year, helping him hold off Brockie, who dropped a critical target late in the final round.
Houghton also tallied a 23 in his final round, and was the only shooter to record a score higher than 22 in any given round.
Brockie said Saturday was the worst shooting day of the year, with the small 60 m.p.h. discs flying about unpredictably.
Past champion Len Noonan, 73, “attacked each target with a veteran’s vengeance,” according to Brockie, en route to scoring an 80 to earn the Dave Forrester Memorial Trophy for the highest overall average of the year.
Noonan has won the award every time he’s been in the running—the only FFSC shooter to do so.
Jeremy McGuire, the 2008 champion, finished a shot behind Noonan at 79.
As well, past champion Harvey Perry, who had the lead with 43 at halftime, was unable to hold on, finishing with 78 to tie Dave Gustafson.
Newcomer Derek Sigurdson ended up with a 75 after peaking with a 21 in the third round.
The American side of the border was represented by Jerry Koslucker, who tallied 73, and Ed Clark (61).
As well, past champion Rick Johnson rung up 63.
Lastly, 15-year-old Jill Gustafson clocked in with a 31.
Brockie noted, however, that Gustafson was able to master some stations to regularly hit three-of-four targets.
In addition to the day’s big award, Houghton also captured with the R.J. (Bob) Kennedy Award for the betterment and advancement of quality shooting.
Brockie recalled that Kennedy wowed shooters by recording a 99 one year.
Brockie wrapped up by thanking the families of shooters, who provided lunch, and Len Noonan, who was on lawn detail in advance of the competition.
