Reflections Back
2010 Puglisi Gun Emporium Side By Side Challenge
The 2010 shoot was again held on the beautiful grounds of The Old Vermilion Trail Sporting Clays Club. Old Vermilion, 460 acres of the former Whiteside Farm, had shooters walking through stands of century old white pines to attempt clay targets thrown through trees and over water. Sixty six shooters participated in the main event with another 15 shooters enjoying the side games and the All Bore event. Over $4,000.00 in prizes and awards were given out. The weather was perfect on Friday and Sunday for the shooters to attempt the All Bore Course.
The course consisted of 50 targets, spread over 10 stations, completely different from the main event clays course. One hundred and twenty one rounds where recorded, a testimony to the popularity of small bore shooting. The shooters were invited to shoot as many times as they wish with their highest score counted for the award of Galazan snap caps in the given gauge. The highest average in the All Bore event went to the 16 and 20 gauge shooters. Their average bested the 12 gauge shooters by 2 birds but only beat the diminutive .410 by 6 targets over the 50 targets presented. Since all gauges of the All Bore are shot on the same course, these averages help Duluth Double Gun determine the handicap awarded for each gauge for the next year's main event.
The main event was held between the rain drops that pestered the shooters all day on Saturday. A one hour delay was declared to allow the worst of the rain to pass over. It is a testimony to the shooters resolve to be at their assigned event on time that allowed the shoot to proceed without any further delay! The main event was won by new comer Gary Goodwin. Gary's 1st place finish in both the Hunter's Five Stand and the Pigeon Ring, coupled with his 8th place finish in the Sporting Clays gave him a total of 10 points. This was enough to narrowly beat Scott Tout's 15 points earned by his 4th place in Clays, 2nd place in Hunter's Five Stand and his 9th place finish in the Pigeon Ring. It should be noted that Scott has finished no lower than 3rd in the years we have held our shoot at this venue!
Attendees enjoyed the many vendors that displayed guns and shooting oriented goods in the two tents set up for display. Saturday night was enjoyed by those that chose to camp at the club as well as those that stuck around for the stories, the campfires and the laughter. This time is most appreciated by the board of Duluth Double Gun as it gives us an opportunity to kick back and enjoy the many friends we have made over the years. Thank you to all of your who have attended our shoot and a special thank you to Jack Puglisi, who has supported us through our growing years.
Make plans early to join us July 23rd, 24th and 25th, 2010 for the next Puglisi Gun Emporium Side by Side Challenge.