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“Shoot from the Heart - 2004” The American Heart Association of Beaumont Texas hosted one of the country’s largest fundraising events this May 1, 2004 at 1-In-100 Gun Club. Raising over $56,000 for the charity and boasting over 400 shooters on 84 teams competing in this one day sporting clay event. This was the first time in nine years that it rained on this “Shoot from the Heart” event. The rain came down all day and drenched all three flights shooting. There was a mid-day delay when some were wondering if they would be able to finish. But, this group of mostly novice non-NSCA shooters was not going to be stopped by the rain. There were twelve Exxon Mobil Teams from the area, including Chairman, Kevin Hobb’s team. The local community businesses support this event by putting together a team to compete, win prizes, and enjoy great food and fellowship. There are Challenge Cups for teams competing in four categories. This years winners were: Healthcare Cup –Dr. LaMendola team scoring 298, Legal Cup – Orgain, Bell & Tucker scoring 392, Industrial Cup – Echo Maintenance scoring 396, Exxon Mobil Cup – Beaumont Exxon Mobil #1 just beating out raining champions Baytown Exxon Mobil and Open Business Cup – Wolf Performance team scoring 488 and also high scoring team on the Blue course. The over all high scorers of each course shot off for honors. This year Tommy Lynn of Beaumont scored a 105 on the Blue course and shot off with imported professional shooter, Jon Kruger from Indiana shooting the high score on the yellow course with a 106. Tommy Lynn won this shoot-off when Jon Kruger left the door open just breaking half of the 6 targets thrown. The significant thing about this year’s winner is that Tommy Lynn shot this event last year and only a few weeks later suffered a heart attach himself and has spent the last year slowly recovering. It was difficult for Tommy to listen to his doctor and not participate in the sport that he loves for long periods of time while recovering. He was scheduled again for a surgical procedure for his heart just one week after the event this year. Ironic. |
The top teams on each course also shot off for top Team honors. Amanda Faggard’s team had some changes when two of her junior shooters had to drop out of the competition and added Jon Kruger and her daddy, Beaumont lawyer, Mark Faggard. Her team was made up of Mark, Jon, Brian and Stephen Murray of Magnolia Texas and Joey Bolton of Willis Texas. The last are three top junior shooters. Amanda’s Team shot a 489 on the yellow course and the Wolf Performance team shot a 488 on the blue course to bring them to the shoot-off arena. The Wolf team only had four members present, so Amanda’s team graciously cut their team back to four shoot-off members and the competition began. The amazing Wolf team only dropped 3 targets, but Amanda’s team stood up to the challenge and won out. At an impromptu victory party hastily arranged by Amanda’s mother Lauren Faggard, Jon Kruger presented his winning team belt buckle to Amanda. A gesture that made this little girl so proud, she has shown her belt buckle to everyone since the moment Jon so amiably gave it to her. The “Shoot from the Heart” is an annual event growing every year since its inception. ExxonMobil and local KFDM-TV and KAYD radio are title sponsors and many other local businesses participate and support this event each year. Gus and Jean McFaddin and Gary Leach of Beaumont have worked on the committee since its beginning helping to create a great sporting clay event to benefit the Heart Association and build community alliance. They have done a remarkable job. |
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