By John Rossiter

Covington, GA. —  Today, Bob Boswell Jr. will take his place in the Georgia Trapshooting Hall of Fame, an honor he describes as "unexpected and deeply humbling." For the longtime competitor, the induction is less a trophy than a recognition of the friendships, lessons and quiet persistence that defined nearly two decades in the sport.

Boswell’s path began around 2007/ 2008 with a practical goal; a friend to which he was going to quail hunt with suggested that they go find a place where they could practice before the season began, so the pair headed to the Tom Lowe Shooting Grounds.  What started as occasional practice for live bird hunts quickly became something more. “I fell in love with the sport,” Boswell recalled.  Early scores were uneven because he shot only sporadically. He responded by committing to nearly nightly sessions and was primarily self-taught through that dedicated practice. Invited by Bill Smith and David Witt to join the Sunday Trap League, he learned the etiquette of the game, while refining the skills he had developed on his own.

His equipment tracked that same progression. He began with a 20-gauge and #6 shot that almost got him kicked out of Tom Lowe Shooting Grounds because only 7 shot and smaller is allowed but #6 was "just what I had." From the initial 20-gauge, Bob moved to a Remington 1187 semi-automatic and later a BT-99 that he “wore out” while winning championships. In time he stepped up to Berettas and eventually high-end Kohler guns. “Quality guns make a big difference,” he said, acknowledging the cost but heavily emphasizing reliability.

The results followed, many of them achieved mainly by shooting only weekend events. In 2011 Boswell won both the Dixie Grand American singles title in a shoot-off and the Georgia State Singles Championship. He repeated as Georgia State Singles champion in 2013, and in that year he earned the AA-27-AA pin—a mark that had not been achieved by a Georgian in over a decade. He went on to make the All-American team in 2015 and again in 2017. Those accomplishments brought recognition, yet Boswell is candid about the personal cost of the early intensity. Taking the sport too seriously strained friendships and created unnecessary pressure. Over time his perspective shifted. “Trap shooting is more about camaraderie and enjoying time with friends than just winning trophies,” he said. “Now I shoot for fun.”

Family health issues with his parents and business demands forced Bob to take a five-year hiatus from the sport from 2018 to 2023. When he returned, his skills had faded a bit and he admitted to experiencing frustration with his game. The break, he would come to discover, sharpened his appreciation for the social side of the game.  The trapshooting community is a welcoming and supportive group.  Boswell noted the losses of shooters and community members the Georgia trapshooting community had experienced this past year—Russ Wright, Lexi Salvanaro, Joe Doris and Andy Ledford—and said the losses have been scarring on the community. Those losses have reinforced the importance of celebrating the friends around you every day. With that mindset, Boswell also stresses the importance of encouraging younger shooters so the sport and its close-knit culture continue into the future.

Today, Bob will accept the Hall of Fame induction with characteristic restraint, joining his longtime squad mates Boone Butler, Michael Wasielewski, Mike Reed and Mike Bolling in the Hall—a Georgia Trap Squad for the ages. “I didn’t expect it and never shot to get inducted,” he said. “It’s a recognition of my shooting career and the friendships I’ve made. I want to remain just a regular shooter and enjoy the day with friends.”

Bob’s approach is summed up in a simple belief: “You don’t have to win to be a champion.” Practice regularly, care for your equipment, be patient with progress, and most of all, value the people standing beside you on the line. For Bob Boswell Jr., those relationships—and the memories they create—are the greatest trophy.