The 2011 Dixie Matches were held at Gateway Rifle and Pistol Club, Jacksonville, FL on 15-17 April. This NRA approved Regional Conventional Pistol Championship was not only a highlight for many Florida Bullseye shooters, but was also well attended by Army, Navy and National Guard shooters and civilian competitors from as far away as Illinois and Maryland.
The weather was excellent for most of the match, with the exception of a few stiff breezes. The Dixie Matches attracted nearly 50 shooters who capitalized on the great weather to post some impressive scores over the three day match.
James Henderson from the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) at Ft Benning, GA fired a 2658-155X to take “Top Gun” honors and the $250.00 cash prize for winning the regional championship. Coming in at second and third place were AMU teammates Lyman Grover firing a 2647-120X and Patrick Franks with a 2644-138X.
Winning the High Master Class was Gregory Wilson with a 2627-100X. Top honors in the Master Class (Police/Service) was Jean Noel Howell with a 2631-119X and in the Master Class (Civilian), Michael Milen won with a 2578-94X. Taking the Expert Class was Whitney Saunders firing a 2539-84X. The high Sharpshooter was William Cox with a 2418-65X and winning the Marksman Class was Eric Morris with a 2456-45X.
Special awards category for high women shooter went to Sue Carter, high senior was won by Eddie Grove and high junior went to John W. Farley.
The U.S. Army swept the 22, Centerfire and 45 caliber team matches with a 3455-154X. The South Carolina Army National Guard took second place with a team score of 3296-78X. Taking third place overall team honors was Georgia with a 3288-91X. Gateway Rifle and Pistol and Pistol finished fourth in the team match with team members Sue Carter, Ted Carter, Terry Drinkwater, Keith Reed and Whitney Saunders firing a 3284-86X. FSSA finished fifth and consisted of firing members Stephen Price, Joan Gladwell, Henry Brosnaham, Robert Lancaster and Michael Morgan.
The NRA Distinguished Revolver Match had 21 shooters competing with two possible “leg” awards. Winning the match was Lyman Grover with a 285-8X, followed by Patrick Franks with a 277-3X and finishing third was Harley Hall with a 267-4X.
The CMP Service Pistol Match had 32 shooters and was won by Lyman Grover with a 290-10X, followed by teammates Patrick Franks shooting a 286-11X and Jean Noel Howell finishing third with a 284-10X. The annual Dixie Match is consistently one of the best Bullseye matches in the southeast.
Match Director Randy Erickson coordinated another great match. In speaking with a number of the competitors; all were impressed with Gateway’s facilities and the friendly, professional and safety conscious staff. A well earned "thanks" go out to all the competitors and especially to the match staff and support personnel who made this another great shooting event.
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