2007 Ironman
Johnson Farm, Sparta, GA
August 25, 2007
Unbelievably, after seven unrelenting hours of intense competition, the finals saw five competitors within five points (one ringer) of each other. One after another they casually approached the line, took the two shoes and lofted their best at the stake in hopes of winning the coveted, hand-made, one of a kind Ironman Trophy……
Who in the world would compete in Georgia in August (of all months) during a heat wave? The Georgia Region would - and has for the last 8 years! This year Jeff Welker out did himself (again) with his unique, handmade Ironman trophy featuring a tall, good looking, Brittany man pulling a large bass from a pond in Sparta. Every year, the trophy is pounded from Iron spikes, is one of a kind and irreplaceable. Jimmy and Ginger Johnson welcomed all us bird dog men and women to their farm just north of Sparta with a wholesome breakfast, smiles and hugs all around. After all the catching up got done (and not a few tall tales told), we allowed as how we'd better get to putting the dogs on the ground. With each brace having 8 birds and 20 minutes, there was continuous action and lots of opportunities for even the least experienced dog. A point was awarded for every point, retrieve and, 1 back. After 12 braces (6 per field), Keith Koon was at the top of the leader board and looking every bit like this was to be his 4th Ironman win. Rick Edwards was grinning as his son, Chase, was up near the top, and he was hoping he could keep it in the family another year, since he was last year's champion. From the bird field we went to the pistol range. We shot a paper plate at 2 distances for one point each hit. All manner of calibers were present, but electronic aiming was not allowed. I can say we saw some fine shooting at the range, re-affirming my faith in the NRA.
We broke for lunch, which may have been a bad move for some! Sleep overtook a few as the heat, humidity and Ms. Evelyn's cakes caused a few drowsy moments right after lunch. Jill Johnson, Ginger Johnson, Jimmy Walton, Skeeter Walts, Evelyn McGee, Gerald Williams, Barbara Turk, and Susan Webb all contributed to the food throughout the day and did an incredible job keeping us all fed and watered!
The skeet range was next with various targets launched from a set pattern of 12 targets. Each competitor stood out in front of the crowd and took his best shot (pun?) at breaking all the targets. Several came very close with 11- Donald Roberts tied the lead with 11 targets and seemed to be running for his life with 5 of his very best friends breathing hard right behind him! We took to the lake for 1 hour of fishing. Now, everyone south of Yankee-land knows southern boys know how to fish. But 100 degrees, thunder and wind kept the big lunkers under the weeds and in the deep end of the lake. Donald Roberts, however, caught two big ones to further cement his lead! Not one other fish was caught in that hour- what a show, Donald!
Finally, after dogs, pistols, skeet and fishing, we all gathered at the horseshoe pit to pitch two shoes. Several men were close to the top, Keith Koon, Donald Roberts, Bobby Wheat, Cody Patterson, Brad Waddell, and Randy Schultz. Any one of them could win with a ringer (5 points) or better - you could feel the tension! Bobby Wheat pitched his shoes and came close, but a gust of wind contributed to a bad roll onto the stake. Then Cody Patterson pitched his first shoe and it flew wide causing the crowd to part like Moses heading for the sea! Then he allowed as how that was the FIRST time he'd ever pitched a horseshoe and now he was fixing to try his second…..it hit the stake and was on solid for a ringer! ("You have GOT to be kidding me", Donald was thinking!) Now, Brad Waddell and Randy Schultz took to the line. Brad looked like the semi-pro pitcher he is, but both shoes got caught in a crosswind (and a pine top) and landed clear of the stake. Randy, never having been close in this competition, chucked his first one to the left and figured he'd just get this over with and threw his second one thinking, "You know that one looks pretty good!" It was- RINGER! Some quick and agile math allowed as how Randy was now in the lead with 30 points- what in the world! The last two throws were a blur in the memory as Keith Koon rolled them wide and Donald got unlucky. It was an official finish with Randy Schultz (and Ace (Brit/M)) the 2007 Ironman! Cody Patterson, with his first ringer ever, took second, Donald Roberts 3rd, and Keith Koon (3 time champion) 4th. (Incredibly, it was determined that Randy was the oldest ever winner of the Ironman- and so it was nicknamed the Rustman.)
We all headed in to the clubhouse for fried fish, quail, dove and pheasant, fries, slaw and some great pastries. We relaxed with great fellowship and remembered past Ironman competitions. Some tall tales and outright lies were told as somehow the memories didn't coincide with real facts- but no one really cared. We remembered good times and good friends and good dogs. All the memories were sweet- even the not-so-sweet ones managed to mellow like Ms. Evelyn's sweet tea after several tellings. We took some time to remember our great friend Scott Clark as he battles another cancer. And we took no small comfort in knowing that God is working in that family.
Another one is in the books! This is the start of the 2007-2008 trial year and it's shaping up to be a good one. We have lots of new faces and new dogs. Exciting competition is ahead for us all- see you in the blind (I do hope your dog will back!).