Recap: 2022 Dixie Grand – North Carolina

The 24th Annual Dixie Grand was held at the North Carolina Trapshooting Homegrounds in Bostic, NC, from September 27 – October 2, 2022. The facility featured 16 program traps, a practice trap, and 80 full hook-up campsites. Despite being hit by Hurricane Ian and a tropical storm, which brought heavy winds and rain, the event drew 307 shooters from 30 states and provinces for 1,300 targets across the program.

Weather Challenges

• Winds of 20–30 mph plagued shooters Tuesday through Thursday.

• To avoid Friday’s storm, the Doubles Championship was moved up to Thursday — a smart decision that let the match go on in good conditions.

Event Highlights

• Tuesday: Heidi Womer, Mike Moore, and Jackson Fox shot 100 straights in Singles. Donald Neilson won the Tynan Bennett Handicap with a 97. Michael Gooch topped the Ryan Bucher Doubles with 98. Frank Ketron shot his 250,000th registered target during Singles — a milestone moment.

• Wednesday: Alfred Wright and Michael Burnette shot perfect scores in the Singles Class Championship. Bruce Davis and Paul Shaw posted 97s in Carolina Doubles. Lloyd Beecraft shined with a 99 in the Foothills Doubles, earning the Veteran trophy.

• Thursday: Cassie Hammond won the Blue Ridge Handicap with a 93, earning a punch back to the 27-yard line. In the Dixie Grand Doubles Championship, Jim Flint of New York overcame gusty winds to win with a 96. Debbie Ohye-Neilson and Kevin Polson took Lady II and Sub Vet honors with 95s.

• Friday: Before the storm hit, Bruce Burton won the Caesar Guerini Preliminary Handicap with a 94.

• Saturday: Doug Damron claimed the Dixie Grand Singles Championship after breaking 198 and winning a shoot-off.

• Sunday: Christopher “Gage” Malone edged Lloyd Beecraft in a shoot-off to win the Winchester Ammunition Handicap with a 96.

Major Winners

• Singles Championship: Doug Damron (198 + shoot-off).

• Doubles Championship: Jim Flint (96).

• Handicap Championship: Christopher “Gage” Malone (96 + shoot-off).

• High All Around (HAA): Kevin Polson – 387×400.

• High Over All (HOA): Kevin Polson – 949×1000, capping off a huge week with nine trophies. Other HOA/HAA winners included Alfred Wright (AA), Brooke Barnett (Lady I), Carl Chadwell (Sub Vet), Lloyd Beecraft (Vet), and Sheldon Hostetter (Senior Vet).

Final Take

Even with the wild weather, the Dixie Grand delivered exciting competition, Southern hospitality, and plenty of memorable performances. The event remains a fall-season favorite, with great shooting, a welcoming community, and nearby attractions like the Blue Ridge Parkway, Biltmore Estate, and Lake Lure adding to the experience.