Submitted by Dennis Lindenbaum
From left, Charlie Kemp, Michael Matthews, Dennis Lindenbaum, Steve Hardin and Wayne Forshee
The 2012 Dixieland Regional smallbore tournament hosted by River Bend Gun Club proved to be one of the best on record with great competition, close results, and many story lines. Match director Tommy Steadman ordered and received perfect weather for each day with warm sun, constant breezes and small swarms of colorful June bugs making their yearly debut between the firing points and the first line of targets. RBGC’s location in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains allowed shooters from Alabama, Tennessee and Florida to join the Georgia regulars for what was to be a most memorable weekend.
River Bend is proud to count amongst its membership many experienced and highly accomplished riflemen in both highpower and smallbore disciplines. In the past few years, the smallbore ranks have increased in numbers as many highpower shooters have started to consistently attend the local matches as well as the smallbore prone matches at Camp Perry. Of course, many of these individuals cut their teeth while shooting .22’s when in high school. This year’s regional was to be dominated by two of these individuals and one new highpower wannabe who is learning how to live on the dark side and find happiness.
Wayne Forshee and Steve Hardin (two National Rifle and Palma Team members) and Dennis Lindenbaum started strong on the first day of iron sight matches and quickly turned the match into a three-way race for top honors. At the conclusion of the first day, Forshee had first place in hand with 1599-119X. Lindenbaum was close behind in second with 1598-118X and Hardin carded a 1596-117X for third place setting up an exciting finish for scope day. All of the individual iron sight match stages were taken by these three shooters.
Scope day was anxiety producing as regional championships, Distinguished Legs and Camp Perry certificates were up for grabs. For one shooter, a final leg in his quest for Distinguished was within reach making each pull of the trigger agonizingly difficult. Others were hoping for a bit of redemption and a chance to show their mettle with glass on the gun. Steve Hardin put on a true display of skill and steel nerves firing a very rare 1600 at RBGC to win the day. Charlie Kemp rebounded with a 1599-140X followed by Howard Pitts (2012 Tennessee State Smallbore champion) with a 1599-124X. Individual matches were won by Charlie Kemp (2), Dennis Lindenbaum and Michael Matthews.
The lead for the match victory changed hands several times during the day. At day’s end, rule books and accounting firms were consulted to sort out the final standings. Wayne Forshee by virtue of shooting 3197-230X is this year’s Dixieland Regional match winner. Dennis Lindenbaum and Steve Hardin each scored an identical 3196-246X. The 100 yard matches were totaled and by a one point margin Lindenbaum took second place and Hardin third. Forshee and Hardin each receive their third Distinguished Legs and need only the coveted Perry Leg to end the quest. Lindenbaum fired the longest 50 yard match of his life needing all 10’s to earn his fourth and final Leg. With great relief, he turned and gave a thumbs-up to his wife and friends who were hoping he wouldn’t screw it up.
Ed Foley won the Expert class and Doug McNash took combined Sharpshooter/Marksman class. Doug, another highpower shooter, achieved a fine 1592 in AnySights and has only competed in a few smallbore matches. Michael Matthews, finishing his second year at West Point, got his start in smallbore at RBGC just a few years ago and won this year’s Junior title besting fellow West Pointer Zach Wells and RBGC’s Jimmy Holiday. Jimmy shot a career best 1593 with irons. Michael competes on the West Point rifle team, is the current NCAA 3-P champion, and just won the junior national 3-P championship at the Olympic trials at Ft Benning last week. During the match, he made the finals two of the three days and was fourth overall after day one going toe-to-toe with best of the AMU pros. Dennis Lindenbaum has the dubious honor of winning the Regional Senior championship having turned 60 this year.
Special award kudos go to Tommy Steadman who so close so many times now has the consecutive scores to earn his Smallbore Master’s classification card. He is happy as are all of us for him. Not done yet. There was a 50 Meter team match held at dawn before the AnySight matches. Long-term partners Steadman and Kemp teamed up again setting yet another National Senior record by breaking their old mark by one X!
The match operations were expertly managed by Linda Steadman in the stat office with help from Jan Kemp and Paula Holiday, Tom Suswal scoring all weekend, Jim Hinkle calling the match, and Dave Rabin with range set-up. Many others contributed their precious time so we could enjoy a fantastic weekend of great competition and friendship. Next on the docket is the Half-Perry the first weekend in July, a two-day conventional 2400. Please come join us.
Complete results can be downloaded here: 2012-ga-dixieland (PDF, 67KB)
