RiverBend Gun Club hosted the second Smallbore Prone match of the 2011 Championship series on April 16. This month’s installment, an AnySight Metric 1200, was held on a wet, cold and very windy range following a night of intense spring storms that marched across the southern states leaving debris and hardship to many. As a result, our usual numbers were down leaving the hardcore competitors that came from three states to fight through the trying and difficult to read conditions. Patience and luck ruled the day with more than a smattering of profanities in response to groups that looked more like a shotgun blast rather than well aimed match ammo. April in Georgia is always unpredictable and this year proved to be no different.
The match quickly boiled down to a two person contest between Dennis Lindenbaum and Bill Hocker. Lindenbaum won the first 50 Meter match by two points at the start of the day and that was all that was needed to secure victory at the finish as scores remained close all afternoon. It was the fewest mistakes rather than good shots that ultimately made the difference. Lindenbaum’s morning mistakes began with the drive from home thinking he had left his ammo kit on the kitchen table. Pulling off the interstate to be reassured that the ammo was indeed packed with the rest of the gear, he was unpleasantly met with the realization at the range that it was actually his front and rear sights that were left at home. Hocker, on the other hand, was wondering all day why he was using up perfectly good ammo for no particularly good reason. At the conclusion First place honors went to Lindenbaum with a 1138-43X to Hocker’s 1135-37X for Second place.
Additional storylines occurred all day as the often repeated advice, “Keep them in the black”, was passed up and down the line. The combined Expert/Sharpshooter class battle was also very close with but three points separating the top three. A very happy Dave Rabin claimed this victory with a 1118-20X followed three points back by Gintaras Valentavicius and Jim Hinkle. Jim is continuing his return to smallbore competition and is setting his sights on more victories at Camp Perry.
The Marksman class was won again by upcoming and fast learning Don Greene with a fine 1126-33x and also winning the 100 Meter match. Cor Vanderbeek was Second Marksman. The Holliday boys (father and son) continue their epic monthly battle for home bragging rights as they continue to learn the ropes and improve their shooting skills. Jim Holliday is an excellent machinist and is developing sighting accessories that will greatly benefit the shooting community. More to come on that.
Widespread rumors that Match Director Tommy Steadman would make his 2011 shooting debut were quickly laid aside when there was no evidence of his shooting gear on the line. He was up at 3:00 am repairing his damaged rain gutters while listening to tornado warning sirens and dodging hail bullets. He, Linda Steadman, David Dye, Charlotte Henry and Murphy the Wonder Dog were all present to make the match run perfectly and provide a great day for everyone. Much appreciation for all they do each month.
Next month is special. The Dixieland Regional will be held on May 20 -22. This is a combined Regional and Georgia State Championship event and will be a Conventional 3200 with team competition at the conclusion of the Metallic Sight matches. Plenty of great shooting competition, leg points, Perry certificates, awards and much better May weather. As always contact Tommy Steadman Match Director (404-392-7050) for more information or check the website at www.rbgc.org.
Complete results can be downloaded here: 2011-ga-april-metric-1200 (PDF, 29KB)
