Sam Puryear Takes 2007 Alltel with 399

Alltel welcomed 100 shooters from twenty states to the decade old Alltel Arkansas Open Classic. The doubles event was shot in heavy winds with Billy D. Williams of Montana taking the championship with the only 100, while Ronnie Hurlbert of California and Wayne Mayes of Tennessee took runner up and third. Wayne Mayes bested 24 perfect scores to claim the 12ga. crown with Jerod Hicks and Mike Schmidt taking runner up and third. Mary Di Giovanni was again perfect in taking the ladies 12ga. championship.

The 20ga. looked as it might go on all night before Stewart McCoin finally bested Mike Schmidt and Sam Puryear. Marie Callahan, wife of the current .410 world champion, shows that it runs in the family as she took the 20ga. ladies title. After the shooting , a social hour and dinner directed by Buck, Gary and Hal Matthews was enjoyed by all.
The events of the next day ended with many times world champion Todd Bender taking the 28ga. title with previous Alltel HOA champions Stewart McCoin and Mike Schmidt taking runner up and third. Tanya Harrison won her first of what was to be three ladies  championships which would include the 28ga,.410 and HOA. Way to go Tanya.
The .410 gave up some perfect scores under really good conditions as Stewart McCoin took the championship followed by yet to be heard from All- American Kurt Grates and Texas shooter Sam Puryear.

Sam Puryear let one target slip by that cost him the $5,000.00 bonus offered by Alltel , but 399/400 was good enough for the undisputed HOA crown. McCoin and Hurlbert were one bird back.

Thanks to all who attended “The Alltel”.  As always the shoot committee at Blue Rock worked hard to make sure that everyone had a good time. Special thanks to Wayne Black for his many hours of work to make sure everything ran smoothly.