(POSSUM TROT, Ky.) — Twenty-seven competitive shooters representing five states proved that neither high winds nor driving rain could keep them off the line this weekend, as athletes descended on Possum Trot for the Kentucky Western Zone Skeet Shoot. When the smoke finally cleared, Dr. Kenneth Ford of Sharpe claimed the High Overall title in a tournament that saw numerous tiebreakers and standout performances throughout.
Friday: Doubles
The event opened Friday afternoon with the Doubles competition, and Barry Stevenson of Calvert City immediately announced his presence, claiming the championship with an impressive 98 out of 100. Tom Selley of Lebanon, Tenn., finished as runner-up with a 97, while Hank Pollard of Metropolis, Ill., rounded out the top three with a 96.
Saturday: Rain, Wind and Tough Competition
Saturday brought miserable conditions — rain fell all day and winds battered the range — but the shooting was anything but soggy. In the morning’s 12-gauge event, Brad Felton of Clarksville, Tenn., put on a clinic, posting a perfect 100 straight to claim the championship. Sean Curtis of Ashland, Ky., was close behind as runner-up with 99, and Mike Galloway of Dexter, Mo., finished third with a 98.
The afternoon 20-gauge event produced one of the day’s most dramatic moments. Joe Charles, Brad Felton, Ken Ford and 85-year-old Tommy Moore of St. Louis, Mo. — a crowd favorite — all deadlocked at 98 out of 100, forcing a tiebreaker shootoff. When the dust settled, Joe Charles of Ashland, Ky., emerged as champion. Felton claimed runner-up honors, with Ford taking third.
Sunday: Skies Clear, Wind Intensifies
Sunday brought clearing skies but even stronger winds. Ford was undeterred, posting the only 100 straight in the 28-gauge event to claim that championship outright. Mike Galloway and Barry Stevenson tied at 96, with another tiebreaker required — Galloway ultimately earning runner-up and Stevenson finishing third.
In Sunday afternoon’s .410 event, with the wind still howling, Rick Corneliusen of Louisville, Ky., rose to the top with a 95 to claim the championship. Ford, Pollard and Stevenson then found themselves locked together at 93, requiring yet another shootoff. Ford survived to take runner-up, with Stevenson again claiming third.
High Overall: Ford Takes the Crown
The High Overall title went to Ford, who compiled a commanding 386 out of 400 across all events. Galloway and Stevenson both finished at 381, once again requiring a tiebreaker to separate them — with Galloway earning runner-up and Stevenson taking third.
In the two-man team competition, the pairing of Barry Stevenson and Ken Ford was simply untouchable, sweeping all five events.
Photo caption (right to left): HOA winners Mike Galloway, Ken Ford and Barry Stevenson.
