Thanks Curt i really appreciate it. As your title suggests their was divine intervention. As a lot of the Muzzy shooters know we lost Carl Moller to leukemia last November. The last shoot he attended was muzzy even though he wasn't strong enough to shoot. Carl wasa Muzzy fanatic and never missed a shoot since 1988 I believe. We would talk about it all the time and couldn't wait for the second weekend in August to come around. Last year while up at muzzy he said to me "Don't worry I will be here next year with you"
On the drive up my wife could tell something was bothering me and knew I was thinking of Carl. She said "Carl will be with us at the shoot" My wife hasa lot more faith than me so I just nodded my head.
On Saturday it was Carl's 54th Birthday and i had that on my mind when i started shooting with William. I had a great time shooting with Darius and Don Ferraro and was able to stay in it. The next day I before I started shooting with Michael Vincent i said a silent prayer that i hoped Carl was with me today since i needed his help to keep me calm. Every year this is where i crap out, right before the trophy rounds. Well it was head to head and when Michael hit "Thread the Needle" to tie it up I knew i was in trouble. He was on a roll and I was as nervous as I could be. As i sat down on the rock I could here carl speak to me that I could make this shot and have in the past. Of course for those of you that know Carl he said it with a a word i can't print here. We both missed the first shot but mine was so close i knew i would get it on my next shot and did to win the round. It was great shooting with Michael. Next was shooting with Steve Stivaly and Carl was with me doing that round too and it really calmed me down. Same with shooting with Keith Barber and winning it on the last shot on red where they swapped the chair with the new stump. It was great shooting against such nice guys as Steve and Keith.
Shooting the overall round with Manny was going to be a problem though. I never shot it before and we wouldn't be going out by ourselves but with a crowd. My heart was beating like crazy. Stepping up to shoot over the pond on white target one I asked Carl to send me a sign that he was still with me and I could here him say "Just shut up and Shoot" and when I hit that block I knew I had the momentum on my side. Talking to Carl kept me focused and calmed me down enough that i could win. Shooting with Manny was great and was an honor to shoot against him. To win the longbow division in his first ever Muzzy is just amazing to me and i have no doubt he would have beat me if Carl wasn't with me. Once again I'd like to thank everyone and it means so much to win this year for my buddy Carl.
And Curt I have no doubt Ken Coulons son and Cade will be battling out in future Muzzy competitions for the title. Both their concentration and perfect form are amazing to watch.
Topic: The Muzzy Shoot...a young gun, an old veteran, and some divine intervention... (Read 1295 times)
