Monthly Newsletter Items
High Power:
June Match Results:
David Bahten a junior from Jamestown squeezed by two other top shooters to
take the Match. Bahten shot a 392-16X out of 400 possible in the postal
shoot. Second and third were respectively Jerry Tierney, of Plymouth with
a 392-15X and Robert Taylor II of Columbia with a 392-13X. Some great
shooting!
First Master went to Martin Nedom of Sonora with a 384-11X followed by
junior Chad Kurgan, of Tuolumne with 382-13X. First Marksman went to
junior Brandon Bayer with a 304-1X.
The next High Power Match is Saturday, July 5th, with registration
beginning at 8 AM. A big Barbecue (Chicken & Turkey) at the home of the Taylors in Tuolumne will follow-FREE for the shooters and $8.00 for non shooting
family members.
Assemblyman Tom Berryhill is coming to shoot the match. For further information regarding the match or BBQ call 928-3745. Visitors & Spectators are welcome.
May California High Power Rifle State Championships:
This past weekend in Coalinga, California, the California High Power Rifle
Championships took place with David Bahten, 19 of Jamestown, winning the
High Junior Championship and a State of California placque. Approximately
60 competitors participated on Saturday for the individual championships
with four person team matches held on Sunday.
Bahten besides winning the Junior Championship with a score of 769-24X,
also won first master in the rapid fire sitting position shooting a perfect
200-11X. He placed fourth master in rapid fire prone, second master in
slow prone, second master in slowfire aggregate and rapid fire aggregate.
Chad Kurgan, 17 of Tuolumne, won third master overall, besides second
master in the rapid fire aggregate, rapid fire prone and first master in the rapid
fire aggregate.
Kyle Stewart, 17 of Columbia, took first master in the rapid fire prone,
while Anthony Henderson, 18 of Sonora, won third master in the slow fire
prone and the slow fire aggregate. Henderson won a Geissele trigger during
the match.
Shelby Rosasco, 17 of Jamestown, won second sharpshooter in the rapid fire
aggregate.
Heather Swenson, 20 of Mi Wuk, swept the marksman class winning first
marksman overall besides in all catagories.
Robert Taylor II, of Columbia, won Match Winner overall in the slowfire
standing besides third place overall in the Championship and second high
master in the slow fire aggregate.
Sunday's team match was won by the California Grizzlies Gold with a score
of 1904-38X . The team consisted of juniors David Bahten, Anthony Henderson,
Chad Kurgan and Cheyanne Acebo, 16 of Vacaville.
Others competing from the Mother Lode were sisters Kayla, 16, and Hollie,
14 of Mi Wuk.
JUNIOR TAKES ANOTHER NATIONAL RECORD & TIES 2 MORE at Dean Alley Trophy
Match...
Seventeen year old Chad Kurgan from Tuolumne on Saturday July 5th put his name in the National record book another three times. Kurgan's first National record was tied with his shooting coach, Robert Taylor II, last summer back at the National matches in Ohio-rapid sitting for a junior -200 with 16X. Saturday with Taylor's junior record in the rapid prone at 200-6X, Kurgan slaughtered that record with a 200-13X besides tied the open class and civilian class with a man from Oregan. In the Dean Alley Trophy match at Mother Lode Gun Club, Kurgan also took First Master, High Junior and of course, First in the Rapid Prone catagory.
Match winner was High Master Jim O'Connell, of Castro Valley, whose trophy was presented by Jeanette Alley, widow of Dean from Nevada. Her son, Dave was also present with his wife Carol. O'Connell shot a 594-21X with First High Master was Robert Taylor II of Columbia, shooting a 587-17X. Second High Master was junior, David Bahten of Jamestown shooting a 584-16X.
Kurgan's Master score of 590-21X placed him first in that catagory followed by junior, Kyle Stewart, of Sonora, shooting 583-10X.
First Expert/Sharpshooter was junior Cheyanne Acebo, from Vacaville, firing a 573-9X. Mike Brommer from Turlock was second with a 551-9X followed by Richard Lehn of Lemoore with a 544-3X.
First Marksman was junior, Blake Eames, from Hayward with a 531-3X, followed by Joel Chew of San Jose with a 513-5X in second and third, junior, Brandon Bayer of Jamestown with a 462-2X.
Assemblyman Tom Berryhill also competed in the match of 31 competitors. Approximately 72 enjoyed the BBQ following the match. Juniors Kurgan, Stewart, Bahten along with Anthony Henderson of Sonora, Shelby Rosasco of Jamestown and Kayla Swenson of Mi Wuk will be amongst the California Grizzlies (15 Grizzlies total) going back to the National Rifle Matches at Camp Perry Ohio the end of July. Going along with them will be their coach, Robert Taylor II, and chaperones John Henderson who will also be competing along with Taylor, Lynn Bahten of Jamestown and Connie Taylor of Tuolumne. There will be two weeks of competition.
For those interested there will be a match at Mother Lode Gun Club the first Saturday in August.
MOTHER LODE JUNIORS SUCCESSFUL AT NATIONAL RIFLE MATCHES
Left to Right: N.T.I.T. National Record Setting Junior Team: Presenter, Jim O’Connell (coach) Kyle Stewart (captain) Joshua Lehn, Chad Kurgan, David Lee Bahten, Anthony Henderson, Kathryn Bugg, Cheyanne Acebo on stage at the National Matches in Camp Perry., Ohio.
During the CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) matches at the Nationals David Lee Bahten of Jamestown, Chad Kurgan of Tuolumne, Anthony Henderson of Sonora and Kyle Stewart of Sonora were all a part of the 6 person team claiming the top junior spot in the National Team Infantry Trophy Match at Camp Perry, Ohio. Arizona juniors were hoping to claim this title but were significantly overcome by the California Grizzlies who also set a new National Junior record by 29 points shooting a total score of 1233, thirty-eight points above Arizona. Bahten, Kurgan and Henderson were also on the winning National Trophy Team Match team with three girls from Vacaville, captained by Heather Swenson of MiWuk, to take first junior for that match and narrowly missing setting another National record.
During the Presidents One Hundred match with 1168 competitors (juniors, military and adults from all over the US and Australia), seven of the California Grizzlies placed in the top 100 shooters receiving special recognition. Of those seven, Bahten was number sixty, Henderson was sixty-nine, Kurgan was seventy and Stewart was ninety-six. The National Junior ranking for this match put Bahten at nine, Henderson at eleven, Kurgan at twelve and Stewart at fourteen. Robert Taylor II also competing during the match came in at eighty-seven within the top one hundred.
In the National Trophy Individual match, Bahten and Kurgan received points towards becoming Nationally Distinguished. Henderson and Bahten only need ten more points to become a member of the elite Nationally Distinguished Riflemen. Kurgan could also acheive this fete during the coming year. The CMP listing the top fifty juniors Nationally have Henderson at eleven, Kurgan at eighteen, Bahten at twenty and Stewart at forty-seven.
The Whistler Boy competion produced three of the Grizzlie two person teams in the top twenty. Kurgan and Bahten place fourth, Henderson and Kathryn Bugg of Vacaville placed eighth and Stewart with Joshua Lehn of Lemoore placed fifteenth.
At the onset of the NRA (National Rifle Association) competition was the four person team match. In the Rumbold Team Match, the California Grizzlies Gold consisting of Bugg, Henderson, Bahten and Kurgan placed first junior, narrowly missing another National record and first High Master overall as well shooting a total of 1941 with 60X. Taylor was on the second place High Master team as the Coalinga Rifle Club Gold. John Henderson of Sonora, Anthony's dad, also competing besides chaperoning, was on the Coalinga Rifle Club match winning first Master. Competing on the first place Expert team was Stewart as California Grizzlies Silver. Winning second Sharpshooter as the California Grizzlies Coalinga were Shelby Rosasco of Jamestown and Kayla Swenson of MiWuk.
During the individual NRA matches Bahten placed once as second high over everyone in the match, twice as High Junior overall, three times as third High Master and a forth High Master. Kurgan placed High Junior overall once, twice as first Master, one second Master and four fourth places in the Master class. Henderson won two High Juniors overall and two First Master places. Rosasco won one second place Sharpshooter and thirteen High Woman Sharpshooter places. Taylor won second High Master in one match and a fourth High Master is and ranked Nationally as fourty eighth out of the top one hundred service rifle shooters, while John Henderson won two fourth places in the Master class. Heather Swenson won four High Woman Marksman awards. Also supporting the fifteen member California Grizzlie Junior Service Rifle Team with their presence at the Nationals cooking and dropping off laundry were Lynn Bahten of Jamestown and Connie Taylor of Tuolumne.
Henderson, still on the Grizzlie team is headed to UC Santa Cruz for school and Rosasco is leaving for Fresno State. The remaining juniors on the team will be assisting with the Fall Junior .22 program.
Fall 2008 Junior .22 Program
Signups will be held for the Fall Mother Lode Gun Club Junior .22 Rifle program on Tuesday evening,September 2nd, 2008 at 6 PM, at the Mother Lode Gun Club on Jamestown Road. Any boy or girl, 10 years to 20 years of age are welcome and need to come with a parent or guardian to sign up. There will be a class maximum size of 50 juniors, first come, first serve till the class is filled.
The first class night will begin Tuesday, September 9th featuring an interactive lecture. This program is open to all youth from Tuolumne and neighboring counties. No previous shooting experience is required. ALL juniors must be accompanied by an PARENT or legal guardian. Parents are requested to attend the sessions with their juniors. The cost will be twenty dollars and covers all the supplies and equipment required for the program. Firearms, ammunition and targets are provided. The program to be held on the 50 foot indoor range, and will run consecutive Tuesdays until October 28th. The final meeting, Tuesday, October 28th will be an Awards potluck night for all participants and their family members at the Tuolumne County Sheriff's posse grounds in Jamestown.
Juniors will learn about home safety from NRA's EDDIE EAGLE, as well as the responsibility of handling firearms and lessons in competition rifle shooting.
This program is NOT associated with the Hunter Safety classes.
Headed up by Steve Finigian, Junior Program Director and NRA Range Safety Officer assisted by many of the California Junior Service Rifle team members who have had their beginnings in his junior program. Any questions regarding the program, call Steve at 532-4926 or Bob/Connie at 928-3745.
Here is a recent picture of one of the line officer vests the club donated for the NRA meets:
Twelve competitors participated the hot September day for the Mother Lode Gun Club High Power Match.
Junior Chad Kurgan of Sonora won the Match shooting a 579-20X. Next to Kurgan was another junior, Kyle Stewart of Sonora taking first Master with a score of 576-6X. Junior Shelby Rosasco, of Jamestown and home from Fresno State won the High Expert position with a score of 554-5X. Juniors Brandon Bayer of Jamestown swept the 1st Marksman position with a score of 526-1X while Bobbie Letora came in second with a 525-4X. Lyecc Williams of Ripon came in third with a score of 514-4X.
The next match is Saturday, October 4th at 9 AM. at Mother Lode Gun Club.
The California State Regional High Power Match was held in Coalinga. Approximately 60 competitors from across the state competed.
Chad Kurgan of Sonora took High Junior on Saturday. Kurgan also gained more needed leg points towards becoming a Nationally Distinguished Rifleman in the Sunday match coming in overall fifthth place in the CMP NTI match, besides fourth place in the individual catagory. Kurgan also took two first place positions and a second as well in the Master class.
Shelby Rosasco, of Jamestown and Fresno State, took a second place in position as well as a fourth place in the Expert class.
Coach Robert Taylor, of Columbia, took first High Master in the Regional besides one first place in position. Taylor also took first in the NTI of which he is already a Nationally Distinguished Rifleman.
Others competing from the area were Anthony Henderson, Kyle Stewart, David Bahten and John Henderson.
November High Power Match:
Six competitors came out to shoot in the rain the first Saturday in November. Robert Taylor was Match winner shooting a 584-20X and David Bahten was 1st Master/Expert/Sharpshooter with a score of 577-7X. Shelby Rosasco was High Woman with a 557-9X
Next Match is December 6th at 9 AM. Contact Robert Taylor at 770-0705 for more information.
.22 Junior Program
There were approximately 135 family and friends at the Tuolumne County Sheriffs Posse grounds for the awards potluck and ceremony. Rich Champlain from the Sheriff's Department was there to present 3 special safety awards while Doug Miller from Assembyman Berryhill's office was there to present special certificates with Steve Finigian.
The special safety awards went to Toni and Bobbie DeVoto and to Austin Lunde.
Mathew Oswald
Hathaway Pines 1st Marksman
Hathaway Pines 1st MarksmanCarson Wood Camp Connell 2nd
Camp Connell 2ndDaniel Hamilton Tuolumne 3rd
Tuolumne 3rdLevi Rollings Copperopolis 4th
Copperopolis 4thCurtis RodriguesSoulsbyville 4th
Soulsbyville 4thCody Pender Jamestown 1st Expert
Jamestown 1st ExpertMorgan Owen Sonora 2nd
Sonora 2ndJohn Hartfield Mi-Wuk 3rd
Mi-Wuk 3rdBrittni Hicks Jamestown 4th
Jamestown 4thGrace Bloom Sonora 1st Sharpshooter
Sonora 1st SharpshooterColin Wagner Jamestown 2nd
Jamestown 2ndAmelia Kerns Sonora 12 3rd
Sonora 12 3rdMyles Hanford Tuolumne 4th
Tuolumne 4thWyatt Danicourt Soulsbyville 1st Master
Soulsbyville 1st MasterEmily Shumway Sonora 14 2nd
Sonora 14 2nd Klayton Powell Jamestown 3rd
Jamestown 3rdBrandon Bayer Jamestown 1st Hi-Master
Jamestown 1st Hi-MasterDylan Lyons Jamestown 2nd
Jamestown 2ndThe next .22 Junior Program will start with signups on Tuesday January 6th at 6 PM at the
Mother Lode Gun Club. It will be held on consecutive Tuesday evenings until mid March.
For questions call 532-4926 or 928-3745.
Here is a link to a great article in the Union Democrat about the Grizzlies in the "Rattle Battle" competition at Camp Perry.
Please Note: There have been some recent instances of members allowing their access cards to be used by non-members. This practice is strictly not allowed. Club members must be present when they bring guests to the range. Our insurance will not cover non-members, even immediate family of members, when not accompanied by a member and there could be serious problems if anyone were to get hurt or if there was any damage to the club's grounds. If your access card is used by non-members to use the club's facilities when you are not with them, this is considered a serious breach and will be referred to our grievance committee. You could lose your club privileges, incur a financial penalty, or even lose your club membership.
Team match Results
1st place, Kyle, Anthony, F Chad & David
2nd place, Robert, Roger, F Cody & Brandon
3rd place, John, Mike F Marty & Dirk
Team Berger Wins 3rd Year in a row
The junior team of Team Berger won the Mother Lode Gun Club Team Match for the third year in a row with a combined score of 1933-54X. Top shooter on the team as well as for the day was Chad Kurgan, of Sonora, with a total of 494-19X. Also on the team was David Bahten, of Jamestown, shooting a 486-15X, Kyle Stewart, of Sonora, shooting a 479-13x and Anthony Henderson, of Santa Cruz, firing a 474-7X. All four are on the California Grizzlies Junior Rifle Team.
Second in the team match was White Trash. Their total aggregate was 1878-30X. Competitors on the team were Robert Taylor II, of Columbia, firing a 486-9X, Roger Wilson of Sugar Pine, shooting a 469-9X, along with juniors Brandon Bayer of Jamestown with 464-3X and Cody Helmbold, of Jamestown, shooting a 459-9X.
Third place went to Dirkâ's Crew with a total of 1855-37X . The team consisted of
John Henderson, of Sonora, shooting a 486-13X, Marty Nedom of Sonora firing a score of 472-13X, Dirk Stam, of Twain Harte shooting 459-10X and Mike Brommer, of Turlock shooting a 438-1X.
A special award was presented to junior Cody Helmbold, 16 of Jamestown, who set a new National Junior Record for Offhand shooting a 196-5X in the February match, breaking a record held by a Oregon junior since 2001.
The next match will be a regular individual match on Saturday, April 4th, beginning at 9 AM. For further information, you can call Dirk at 586-2966 or Robert at 770-9795.
2010 Winter Junior .22 Program
Signups will be held for the Winter Mother Lode Gun Club Junior .22 Rifle program on Tuesday evening, January 5th at 6 PM, at the Mother Lode Gun Club on
Jamestown Road. Any boy or girl, 10 years to 20 years of age are welcome and need to come with a parent or guardian to sign up. There is limited space, so first come, first served till the class is filled.
The first class night will begin Tuesday, January 12th featuring an interactive lecture.
This program is open to all youth from Tuolumne County. No previous shooting experience is required. ALL juniors must be accompanied by a PARENT or legal
guardian. Parents are requested to attend the sessions with their juniors. The cost will be twenty-five dollars and covers all the supplies and equipment required for the program. Firearms, ammunition and targets are provided. The program to be held on the 50 foot indoor range, and will run consecutive Tuesdays until March 2nd. The final meeting, Tuesday, March 2nd will be a special Awards Potluck night for all participants
and their family members at the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Posse building on Rawhide Road.
Juniors will learn about home safety from NRA's EDDIE EAGLE, as well as the responsibility of handling firearms and lessons in competition rifle shooting.
This program is NOT associated with the Hunter Safety classes.
This is the second class headed up by Roger Wilson,
Junior Program Director and NRA Range Safety Officer
assisted by many of the California Junior Service Rifle
team members who have had their beginnings in his junior
program. Any questions regarding the program, call Roger
at 209 586-7803 or Bob/Connie at 209 928-3745.
