I wanted to take a few minutes and post a sincere CONGRATULATIONS to Team Parker for their 2007 Challenge Cup victory yesterday in what I believe was a shoot-off between two superb squads; which, in my opinion, were the best two teams either organziation has ever placed on the field. For those who could not attend, the qualifier event was changed up this year so that a single bird was followed by two true pairs; there were no "gimme" targets.But in spite of the set-up, both teams had some great shooters. And although I don't don't the average qualifieing score for Team Parker, the high qualifier was Mark Conrad with a 24 and the cut-off was 21! Team LC also had a 24 qualifier, James Fincannon (the first time either squad has ever posted quaifying scores of 24), and Team LC's average quaifying score was a whopping 20.2 with a cut-off at 19. In my never too humble opinion, neither side had an advantage; the ability levels were abouit as even as it was possible to achieve.
For the shoot-out, the traps were re-set to increase the difficulty level; and the order changed to single, report pair, true pair. I talked with BIll Kemplfer about the revised layout during the competition; his comment was that the targets "were challenging". He then volunteered that mental toughness would be the key factor to final success as the new layout presented the kind of target presentation that would get in a shooters "mind" if he began missing; and if so, a situation from which it would be to recover. I believe Bill knew what he was taking about, as three of LC's best qualifiers dropped a combined total of 21 targets off their qualifying effort; had these shooters performed in a similar fashion to the other members of Team LC, and been off their qualifying mark by only a couple a couple of targets, one can easily see how much closer the final scores would have been. As to individual awards, these were very close; PGCA member Ricky Kanoy (?) took the Top Gun with an outstanding 45 x 50, LCSCA member Don Shumaker took 2nd place with a 43 x 50, PGCA leader Mark Conrad took 3rd place with a 42 x 50; and LCSCA member John Butler broke a 4-way tie for 4th place by putting together great finishing long-streak to win with a 41 x 50 (a 41 x 50 took the Top Gun in 2004!)
Personally, I make no excuses; nor am I disappointed with the outcome; twenty great shooters gave their best efforts and it was thrilling to watch, as I saw some guys make many unbelieveable shots! NO ONE can say this was not a successful event, regardless of "brand loyalty", as combned we had 139 participants in the event (71 from the PGCA and 68 from the LCSCA); raising a total of $1,390 dollars for charity, and EVERYONE who spoke to me personally was effusive with their praise of the event, the great atmosphere of friendship, and the tremendous fellowhip eveyone who attended enjoyed first hand (and this was especially true of the fellowhip between the LCSCA and PGCA booths). I truly hope that all who are interested in vintage shotguns get an opportunity to attend the Soutern at some point in their lives; it is truly a special event!
In closing, I wish to make on final comment addressing previously noted sour grapes posts and alleding participation by "ringers". I can't speak to the issue of "ringers" on the Parker squad; or to any alledged state titles they may have earned. Personally, if someones works long and hard to achiece such success, I tip my hat in admiration. Mark and I are also very happy to know that the Challenge has become such a great event that good shooters for all parts of this country want to attend, as it is a tribute to the event that good shooters travelso far to shoot in an event without a cash purse. We strive to encourage participation, and our rules disqualify only coporate and industry sponsored shooters. Annually, both organizations have great shooters, many of whom are AA class sporting clays shooters, humbled by the Deep River 5-stand; and this year was no exception. The two young Team LC shooters previously referred to were former members of a NC high school skeet shooting team and one was a state champ. The father of one of these young guys works for the publisher of the company that printed the new LC Smith book, "The Legend Lives"; this family enjoys shooting and the book inspired them to join and participate (and John Houchins did indeed loan them a gun, but both squads have had a "loaner" policy since this event began). For the record, one of those boys quaified with a 17; and neither made the team; but I sincerely hope they are now "hooked" and will continue to be a part of future events, as without the ability to pass our hobby onto the younger generation it will not survive.
Mark CConrad and I expend much effort to make the Challenge a successful event, and an event that people want to attend year after year. I encourage anyone who has heard rumors, or may be otherwise convinced that some under-handed tactic was employed by one side or the other, to contact us directly. If there's something going on that should not be, rest assured it will be addressed; but our respective public forums is not the venue in which those matters should be pursued. The Challenge is probably the best event of its type in the US; problems and associated negatives are virtually non-existant, and its positive aspects are monumental. It does each organization, and the event itself, a severe injustice when inuendos and rumors, based on hearsay and piece-meal information, are allowed to be publicly propagated on insufficient information.
Thanks again to all who attended; and a special thanks to all who contributed their time towards easing the "work load" burdens associated with managing the respective booths and the event itself; for the most obvious fact in all of this is the truth that the Challenge Event is successful only because of the tremendous individual support it has received from our great members! Congratulations once more to Team Parker, and I hope to see you all again in 2008!
Tom Archer - Team LC (and I'll make other comments later)