Cal-Diego PVA's Doug Vann shoots his way to a high-wheelchair title.

Elusive Clay Pigeons

Keith Reinhardt takes high over-all at Arizona PVA Trapshoot

View Forum | Print Article | Font Size + / - | Back

PHOENIX - Not even the looming clouds of a winter storm could keep the Arizona PVA trapshooters from displaying their skills during the 2010 Arizona PVA Trapshoot. The shooters, donning wet weather gear, took to the range at Ben Avery Clay Target Center in Phoenix to do battle with those unpredictable clay pigeons.

Shooters from across the country arrived in Phoenix hoping for a break from their winter lands but soon discovered Arizona was being dealt a blow of biblical proportions by El Nino. The shooters were forced to seek shelter on practice day by gale-force winds, cold temperatures, and the threatening clouds swirling overhead, leaving many wondering if the event would be canceled.

In a true display of resolve, the shooters braved the unseasonable cold and assembled for the first round of singles shooting. Occupying the whole of the clay trap range, the teams began their cycle of firing with the familiar “pull” command, quickly followed by the report of their gun. It seemed like everyone was on their game, the steady tail wind aiding in the flight of the circular orange pigeons.

Round-by-round the teams took aim on their clay targets, doing battle for high over-all and high over-all wheelchair. Bill Palmer and Keith Rheinhardt, both shooting in the AA class singles, were consistently smoking targets and tied at 95. Not to be outdone was John Pilotte, who had his game face on and left the singles with an impressive 95. It wasn’t over yet as Mark Hawn, Dan Mitchell, and Mark Williams proved by coming out of the singles class with scores in the mid-90s. The over-all title was still up for grabs, and it was anybody’s game. 

Shooting in the B class singles was Charlie Oman, Texas, whose one-armed shooting skills left many in awe. Dressed in shorts and T-shirt, Oman was clearly anticipating the warmth of the Arizona sun. But it was his abilities during the doubles rounds that had the range abuzz. The gentle giant tracked his targets with steady precision, finishing the weekend event with a respectable 227.  Newcomer Aaron Cross of Minnesota, with the help of “Puff,” his Browning BT-99, finished with a 211 over-all.

By Sunday the clouds had parted, the sun streaming down in bright unbroken beams reflecting the shattered clay pigeon remains that now covered the ground. The shooters gathered, sitting over coffee, in anticipation of the overall scores. Finishing with a 275 was Rheinhardt as high over-all, followed by Doug Vann, 273, high over-all wheelchair. Next up is the Florida Golf Coast PVA Tournament. We’ll see you there.

To order the March 2010 SPORTS 'N SPOKES, Click Here.
To Subscribe, Click Here.