Just the planning of a trip with so many stops, hotels, airplanes and rent cars can be a trip killer! It all seems easy from the studio office when your dreaming of the Tournaments you want to attend and the people you want to interview....feet up sipping coffee, looking up at a map on the wall from a deep soft swivel chair, flipping through "Blacks" hoping to catch a few interviews on the run, between interviews, to fill the "Traveling Sportsman" segment of the radio show.... Yes, it was the first multiple, or should I say mass "stop and go, shoot and run" trip. Most had been fly-in...fly-outs. Get the story, shoot and get back 
to the studio in time for the show. But this time of year, the Shoots are one weekend after the other and spread from the mountains to the sea, the valleys to the shore...humm, may have the beginning of song ther
e? Anyway, it is a task just deciding on who's Shoot to attend. The Open, the Challenge, the Championship, the First, the Annual....but, eventually, decisions are made, Shoots approved. Now , I just have to put the logistics together.
As feared, it became a reservation nightmare! Tooo many small planes, toooo many small cars and toooo many "maybes"....I walked out of the office and felt I had built a beautiful gun but it was too heavy, too long and it wasn't going to fire! In the old days, I would have lit a cigarette, scaled back the project and settled for less. But as I stood outside leaning against the guard rail, separating me from the parking area, I took a deep breath of cool "Kalifornia" coastal air. I could see the Pacific ocean ..... I found myself staring right at the answer I was searching for...."ROAD TRIP"!!!!
Before I would step again on home ground, I will have done numerous "Live" interviews and had the opportunity to have shot with the best shotgunners in our country AND the world! The trip would begin on July 19th from Santa Barbara... travel to Kentucky, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and Montana finally ending back here on August 28th....just two days before my wife's birthday. A little over five weeks.....some 10 thousand miles.
If there was two things that have come to define me to other shooters, it was my truck---->that big, beautiful Freightliner...and that poor, broken down duck gun I have been using in competition. Both always bring a smile to everyones' face when they see them coming. That's it...I'm driving and I'm taking my second best friend with me, because my first best friend---->my wife, is chasing after her own dream of becoming a golf pro. That leaves my second best friend, BENGA, the "sniffing dog". Trained as a Cadaver Search dog, Benga and I have traveled from coast to coast training and sniffing. 
That little genius dog has a rep of his own and has only two desires....go, with me, everywhere I go and....well, use that highly educated nose of his...
So, the improbable became a reality on July 19th. Packed and loaded with all things I needed... way more than what I could have dragged around from airport to hotel. I was prepared to attend any function from the Boomer Esiason Dinner to target shooting or a lazy day off with Benga. I kissed my wife, loaded the dog and set off from Santa Barbara on a clear, beautiful day, stopping only to top off the 125 gallon diesel tanks. I was leaving the raging forest fires of "Kalifornia" <----Arnolds' word, in the rear view mirror. I intercepted Hwy 40, Eastbound and tuned in the Big Trucks on the CB...."Move over Good Buddy, make room for the Shooting White Freightliner..." For those of you who have not driven Hwy 40, it runs from Kalifornia to "BaDa Bing, New Jersey" slicing through the very heart of our great country. What a ride!
I programmed my Blackberry to distribute travel information to my wife and friends. First, it was gas prices and weather... but failing to get any strong response, I switched to "contest questions"---->that drew responses. Hey, offer a guy a free meal as a prize and they will do anything! As I texted out questions that gave hints to my position, such as....."Ponderous Pines grow in this desert state"...."Reservation after Reservation back to back as you cross this state"...."Dolly buys bras in this city?"----- " A Montecito resident owns a basketball team from this State?"--- "A famous race horse died here".......it added a little fun to the trip as I drove and kept everyone up to date on my progress. First thing ya know, if I did not have a contest question in the air every couple of hours, I started getting COMPLAINTS!...lol..lol...
First scheduled stop,Tunica, Mississippi....but it was Monday---CLOSED! Duhh...my fault! I should have called ahead or checked their website....even Blacks said they were closed when I checked. Most ranges ARE closed on Mondays....must be the "road dust" got to me...too many gaters on the hwy and not enough restful nights. But the gate was open, the landscapers were on the job. The "Willows" will host the State shoot in a week. Landscapers were cleaning and trimming. 
Took a few pics, looked with remorse down the winding trail that lead to some of the best shooting stations I have ever shot. It was here that the Sporting Clay bug really took a chunk out of my future. Afterwards, I was resolute to become dedicated to improving my shooting skills and
actually start competing. Shooters, if you ever get the chance to go to the "Willows", put it on your MUST shoot list, you will not regret it. Even if you have only the time to shoot a quick round....don't forget the "Duck Flush" it's one of a kind... you have never shot like this....call Mike Mize tell him I sent you. I am sure he will let you shoot free, pay for your hotel room and take you to dinner...well, maybe not, but tell him I said so....lol..lol..
P
ushing on, I made it to Kentucky...actually my hotel reservation was in Indiana....the mighty Ohio river stands between the Belterra Resort and the Elk Creek 2007 All American Sporting Clays Championship and FITASC Challenge sponsored by the Boomer Esiason Foundation. Mark Kiddie is the Event Director for that organization. In his "spare time", he may well control the water in the Ohio River just to keep busy! Great guy.. lots of friends. In his own humble way, calls himself just the Event Director, but does the job that only an experienced professional could achieve. When called upon to step up and help
raise funds for research on Cystic Fibrosis, he neither flinched nor blinked. Mark is one of those guys who excells with responsibility. Mark went into the community and organized an $80,000.00 event....that's in prize money, shooters! Here is where you "put up or shut up".....if your not coming here, WHERE ARE YOU?? Mark has been on the radio show and we hope to call upon him again in the future. ThanX Mark!
I found Gary Kathman. As expected, he was busy running around putting up signs and answering questions. Everyone wants an answer from the big guy in charge....that's Gary. But what amazed me was how calm he was..taking each question in and breathing an answer out,easily, with accuracy and precision. He immediately asked me to ride with him. I jumped aboard the ATV and off we went...I stepped out of the ATV to say hello to Anthony Materese....when I turned around Gary was gone. Could have been my deodorant failed?? More likely I was holding him back with questions that were not as important as the tasks that needed to be done...Hey, no harm, no foul, Gary! Catch you later....besides, I needed to do a little shooting myself. I ended up on the 5-stand with a bunch of guys.. Anthony was there, also. It was fun, and I needed the practice for the upcoming Prelim and Main Event. 
When the traps finally exhausted all their clay targets, the guns were given time to cool , we waited for a trapper to reload the machines...but waiting soon Turned into a bull session. All the men here had many more years experience in competitions than me....a learning session would probably be a better word. But, it did not last long. I decided to
leave after shooting the 5-stand several more times. At my level, I was as good as I was going to get. I remembered that the Elk Creek Winery was just across the field...and open! Shooting was done...yes, a small reward was in order. Besides, when did Kentucky begin making wine??? I spent a good hour with Joe Hall, Mgr of the winery. He gave me a special tour, even bought me a deli sandwich while he pointed out all the award winning wines they have produced. Great facility. The owner, Curtis Segritto, has built a magnificent winery. Sold 4K cases the first year and 13k cases the second year!
Who thinks about wine in Kentucky?? As someone said to me ...what other State can you think of that makes booze, races horses and cars and loves GUNS!-----> I am reminded of that Russian comedian when he says, ..."Whata Country"!!! lol..lol..
Hey click on any photo to copy it!
Computer was down for two whole days! Even the best hotels experience problems. It became a radio bonanza! I have recorded interviews with Jack Concannon---->who is well on his way to another banner year in the vet class.....go ,Jack, go, let's hear it for the Vets. We are all so proud you have chosen Sporting Clays, Jack. ThanX! Then there was Joe Morales...our Rhino hero. Here is a guy who pulled chokes into what they are today. He worked hard. Established himself as one of the "Top Guns" in Clay shooting, then took his experience 
and brought IMPROVEMENTS to the sport. Who does not know Joe...? He and his lovely wife travel thousands of miles a year to be "on site", to help you. But in fairness, I had to visit Briley and once again speak to Hanna, one of the most beautiful girls of Elk Creek. She is from Houston, Texas and has been doing an excellent job of rep'ing Briley at these shoots. They are always busy...always nice to spend a few minutes with you Hanna..ThanX! All the while, I had noticed a shadow whipping silently out of the corner of my eye as I conducted the interview with Hanna. It was deadly silent, moving at stealth speed. Finally, I turned quick enough to see it....David Wilson of Segway on the forth generation of Segway. Silent and quick, I hailed him aside for a closer look. Here, my friends, is the future of land transportation. Light, only 150 lbs, and faster than you can run, David promised, even a better surprise tomorrow when he brings his 5th generation Segway to the shoot. I am already wondering how I am going to explain it to my wife....well, I do need a birthday gift for her..humm??? Whatdaya think???
Shooters if you did not attend Boomers Dinner, Saturday night, you missed an exciting event AND the opportunity to have your photo taken with Boomer and Jack Cassidy. Not to mention every Master Class shooter was there to talk w
ith you or schedule instructions or clinics in your area. It was a fabulous opportunity to "get up Close & Dirty" with guys like Bobby Fowler, Jack Concannon and one of the country greatest competitors, Jon Kruger. I would encourage all of you to put this event on your calendar next year....This is the event where the "Theismann" trophy of Sporting Clays
will be presented each year. So, it comes as no
surprise to most of us that, the FIRST year, it was presented to none other than Mr. Dieter Krieghoff, for his unwavering support for the sport.
Look for Dieters' interview on the radio sooooon!
Last nights' dinner at the Belterra Casino and Resort was a complete success!
But let's not forget why this dinner and the trophy was conceived.... Boomer Esiason put this foundation together, soon after his son was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. They have raised over 50 MILLION $$$$ to aid in the research to eliminate this disease. With the help of men
like Mark Kiddie, and a staff of volunteers, they have taken up the challenge and set
milestones for others to follow. It was men like
Joe Moreno, of Rhino Chokes, that jumped in on the Bidding for a signed guitar by Faith Hill and others, like my squad member Mike Wilson, who bid on a bird hunting trip that pushed the foundation forward and made the evening an extraordinary event. But, it was also the families that attended, such as the Michael Hampton's, that came from Texas, not only as President of NSCA, but to set an example to all of us, on how the responsibility for the growth in our sport does not just rest with us...it rests on our children. What a great example Michael set...ThanX, Mike!
Hey, how did the shooting go???
And speaking of shooting....all during the shoot I was touching base another of this country's Famous...Gary Greenway! Chief Instructor for the NSCA, Gary is another one of the Radio Interviews I was able to capture...what a guy....and since we are on the subject of the Rich & Famous, let me just add that one of the most well spent interviews I had was with, none other than, Steve Fischer...publisher of Clay Shooting USA! Don't miss this on the radio....AND what about Dennis Drummond...no Dennis---no targets---no shooting! Three cheers for the job done by Dennis and Promatic! 
When the smoke clears and the dust settles the silence is deafening.....the last of the shooting carts were loaded back in a semi.. the young Florida students who officiated the stands, waited in line,
loading onto the bus... only scraps of score cards and a few water bottles, blowing across the parking lot, to remind us that we were here.I rounded up my final report from Mark Kiddie--> "we banked 100K to help Boomer!" But...But...But before we all meet to see Wendel Cherry take his trophy for HOA, there IS a shoot-off!
Hey click on any photo to copy!
The American Trigger Sport Network was there to record the tie breaking event. Young Hub Johnson had t
agged Jon Kruger, just as the tournament was ending, forcing a shoot-off between the 20-year-old and, the powder-hardened, Jon. A crowd of about 150 people, some in shooting carts, others walking, stood waiting as the two men approached the official shoot-off area. A round hoop was placed on the ground. The target machines were adjusted, increasing the tension in the crowd. On peg one, young Hub blasted 
away, first chasing down all but 3 clays... Jon, after congratulating Hub on his shooting, stepped into the ring and gave a flawless performance, knocking all of the targets out of the air. But wait... "it AIN'T OVER"...there was another peg....further down the hill, that held the final battle. Once again, Hub stepped into the ring and called for "view targets"....there was a collective gasp in the crowd, as the first pair came in over the trees tops just 
below the cloud level! "SAY WHAT">>>someone said in the background. One target did an ugly twist and fell as if summoned by a demon, while the second clay jetted across the sky on a course hell-bent for Cinncinnati, at lightening speed! The mumbling in the crowd stopped as Hub mounted his gun, he had to ace the station and hope Jon missed....but hope would not win this day. The calm cool hand of Jon Kruger slid cartridge after cartridge into his K-80 and smashed everything that flew! With a calm professional demeanor, Jon turned towards a cheering crowd and bent his head almost embarrassed.....he thanked Hub, congratulated him, and made his way through the crowd of people that wanted to shake his hand and pat him on the back, for a job well done.... It was all caught on the radio, shooters..every tense moment...don't miss it! Oh, and Haywood, next time I want you right beside me when we do the next shoot-off, I have some ideas you can help me with..ok..ThanX!
Leaving the Elk Creek Club I pointed the freightliner down the road...Knoxville,first to see
my good friend, Bill McGuire. Caught him with a golf club in his hand! He loves the game! Shot a 77 at Cottonwood, wanted me to be sure and tell George Digweed, when I see him in Rhode Island...seems George is a pretty good hand with a club as well...guess I better quit my golf jokes #$%$#$^!
Look for me in Rhode Island for the Great Lobster Classic! c u there!
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