SHOOTREPORT
26
THE 2021 WESTERN GRAND
BY SEAN HAWLEY
The Western Grand was held at the Vernal Rod and Gun Club June 1st through the 7th and despite concerns over the availability of ammunition as well as lingering COVID worries, the tournament went off without a hitch. Shooters from 20 states came to the small town of Vernal, Utah, to participate in what has become, over the years, equal parts major ATA Satellite Grand, after hours game shoot and weeklong party. The weather cooperated for TRAPSHOOTINGUSA
the most part with occasional breezy conditions that made things challenging from time to time. Extracurricular activities included a cornhole tournament, ladies bingo, three nights of Annie Oakley shooting (with added money), a free pizza night and a potluck appetizer night.
PRELIMINARY TUESDAY Vernal resident Sharred Oaks
hometowned everyone in the first event by breaking the only 100 straight in the opening Singles event to win the AAA class trophy. Justin Debrie (NE) was just one bird behind to take home the AA class award. In the Event 2 Preliminary Handicap, 21-yard Rick Vogel (NE) was high on the board to earn the short yardage trophy with a 98. Mia Malcom, another Nebraska shooter, carded a 97 to earn the Lady I prize. There were four scores of 99 in the last event of the day, the Preliminary Doubles and Sharred Oaks broke three consecutive scores of 48 to win the carryover with Tim Reed for the AAA trophy. Perry Weiner (ND), Jeff Nostrom (WA) and Jimmy Heller (CA) each had the near
perfect score of 99 to earn AA, A and Veteran awards. Tuesday evening, folks headed over to The Lodge to sign up for the cornhole tournament. It was the second year the club has hosted the event and there were quite a few teams involved and lots of laughs as well.
WEDNESDAY Event 4, the Craig and Sharon Hart Doubles was the first event of the day on Wednesday. Gregory Ferguson (CO) and Ian Lawrence (IL) each smashed 99s to take home the AAA and Junior Gold trophies.
