Copyright 2021

Four individuals will be inducted into the Oregon Sporting Clays Hall of Fame for 2023: Ron Edwards for his shooting achievements, and Philip Morgan for service.

Each individual’s contribution whether it be their career shooting achievements or their dedicated service, has advanced the sport of Sporting Clays in Oregon for decades.  All have served as Oregon’s ambassadors to the sport and have represented us well on the local and national stage.

The initiation ceremony will be held at the 2024 Oregon State Championship.

Their

Shooting Award - Ron Edwards

My first shot gunning was pheasant hunting in the mid fifties, here in the Willamette Valley. Due to the burning of the fields back then, we lost cover for the birds and there were not many to hunt.

The next shooting club trap shoots where we shot turkeys, hams and bacon. I then starting shooting PITA trap shoots. The last one, we were shooting a 60 bird backer upper in 1963, at Creswell, under the lights. We tied for second place with 59/60 and lost the shoot off for a half of beef each, which was hanging on the club house porch.

Raising kids, work and other interests, I did not shoot any clays for the next 50 years.

In 2013, I was introduced to sporting clays by a friend and met Dave Fielder, who gave me my first shooting instructions. I started working my way through the NSCA classes. I made it to Master Class twice, but didn't shoot consistently to stay there more than one year each time.

Now being 83 years old I enjoy shooting the concurrent Legacy Class. In 2023 I was recognized by the NSCA as making the All-American Legacy first Team, along with longtime shooters, Carl Skip Zapffe and David Farley. Three out of the top ten shooters are from Oregon.

Thanks to all of you who have helped me along the way. I feel I have met and become friends with the greatest people on earth.

Service Award - Phil Morgan

Phil was the driving force behind rebuilding the Sporting Clays program at Tri-County Gun Club.  He worked with the board to purchase traps and improve the facilities. Phil not only coordinated monthly shoots, practice and Tri-County’s signature Silver Buckle shoot, but also set targets and made sure events ran smoothly. The Silver Buckle Shoot became an Oregon premier event while he was director of the program. Many of us long time shooters remember the days when the Silver Buckle Shoot was held in the gravel pit, providing a unique background and opportunity for unusual target presentations.

Tri-County might not have become the venue it is without Phil's effort.

Sincerely,

Ellen Deleganes