View full article PDF here.Recap: 2023 Dixie Grand – Bostic, North Carolina
The 25th Annual Dixie Grand was held September 26 – October 1, 2023 at the North Carolina Trapshooting Homegrounds in Bostic, NC. With 380 shooters from 29 states and provinces and crisp fall weather, it was the perfect blend of southern hospitality, scenic mountain views, and top-level trapshooting.
Early Week Highlights
Doug Damron Singles (Tuesday): Three 100s posted, with Tyler Honnold (Junior), David Degregorio (Sub Vet), and Louis Diprete (Veteran) leading the way.
Gage Malone Handicap: Jason Dancy (NC) won after a shoot-off with Sheldon Hostetter, who marked his 400,000th singles target milestone.
James Flint Doubles: Junior Tyler Honnold and Veteran Urban Womer each shot 96 to top their categories.
Midweek Action
Singles Class Championship (Wednesday): Kevin Polson (KY), Randy Parson (PA), and Douglas Howell (MD) shot 100s for category wins.
Carolina & Foothills Doubles: Tyler Honnold and Michael Burnette (TN) both shot 99s, while Ethan Ledford (GA) took Junior Gold with a 97.
Evening Fun: Target Shotguns’ Miss and Out event raised money for scorekeepers and loaders, with shooters battling for Remington Nitro ammo.
Championship Events
Blue Ridge Handicap (Thursday): Jacob Gossett won with a 97.
Doubles Championship (Friday): Tyler Honnold outlasted James Ethan Miles to win with a 99, adding his first major crown of the week.
Browning Singles Championship (Saturday): Honnold and Deborah Ohye Neilson each ran 200 straight. After a shoot-off, Honnold claimed the Singles Championship while Neilson took Lady II honors.
Winchester Handicap Championship (Sunday): Michael Pobiega (SC) won after a shoot-off among four 97s.
High Awards
High All Around (HAA): Herbert Lewis (KY) – 388×400.
High Over All (HOA): Herbert Lewis (KY) – 966×1000.
Tyler Honnold added Junior HOA with 956, while Ethan Ledford took Junior Gold with 958.
Final Take
The 2023 Dixie Grand celebrated a quarter-century of tradition with excellent targets, efficient management, and the kind of camaraderie that makes shooters linger long after the last shootoff. Between championship titles, historic milestones, and evenings of fellowship under the harvest moon, this year’s Dixie Grand was a reminder of why it remains one of the ATA’s most beloved fall shoots.
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