By John Rossiter

COVINGTON, Ga. — March 7, 2026 — More than 50 trapshooters converged on the South River Gun Club Saturday for the 21st Annual Cecil Trammell Memorial Trapshoot, a longstanding event celebrating the life and legacy of one of Georgia’s most accomplished figures in the shooting sports.

The competition began under early morning fog that gradually lifted, giving way to clear conditions ideal for the day’s three main events: Singles with 53 entries, Handicap with 46 entries, and Doubles with 30 entries. Shooters tested their precision on 16-yard singles targets, handicap yardage challenges, and the demanding doubles format.

Cecil Trammell (1930–2005), for whom the memorial shoot is named, was a native of Brooks, Georgia, who later made his home in Odessa, Florida. A retired U.S. Air Force veteran and longtime representative for Federal Cartridge Company, Trammell achieved extraordinary success in both trap and skeet disciplines. He captured every major national title at least once during his career, earned multiple selections to the Sports of Field All-American teams in various categories, and was inducted into the Georgia Skeet Shooting Hall of Fame, the Armed Forces Shooting Hall of Fame, and the Georgia Trap Shooting Hall of Fame in 2004. 

In the Singles event (100 targets from the 16-yard line), Bruce C. Swinsky claimed Champion honors with a perfect 100 straight. Ethan C. Ledford led the AA class with 97, while Chet Hendrickson (Champion) and Joseph A. Oleary (loss via forfeit) each posted 98 in A class. Rex Alan Wells topped B class with an impressive 99, Russ Wright won C class with 95, and Greg L. French of Tennessee took D class with 94.

The Handicap event, which accounts for shooters’ yardage allowances, saw Ethan C. Ledford again rise to the top as Champion with a score of 97. Brandon J. Crabb finished close behind with 95 taking the short yardage title. Edwin L. Wolfe recorded 94 for the mid yardage champion, and Bob R. Boswell Jr. notched 93 for champion of the long range when James E. Preskitt who also reached 93 loss by forfeit. 

In the Doubles event, James E. Preskitt secured Champion status with a strong 98. John N. Davis took A class with 95, Stephen P. Williams led B class with 95, John E. Kuntz won C class with 92 with Chet Hendrickson also scoring 92 in C class was noted as forfeit for the shootoff. Phil C. Graves rounded out the champions list by topping D class with 78.

The annual memorial shoot at South River Gun Club continues to pay tribute to Cecil Trammell’s enduring influence on trapshooting while providing a venue for friendly yet competitive marksmanship among Georgia shooters and visitors from farther afield.

Congratulations to all participants and especially to the event winners for their outstanding performances.