By Greg Myers
A perfect run of 75 targets propelled Devon Harris of Logansport, Indiana into and through the Grand American $100,000 Challenge to win the biggest purse in shooting sports history.
Harris needed to break 25 consecutive targets Saturday afternoon to just qualify for the Challenge. The shooting promotions manager for Federal Premium Ammunition then broke two sets of 25 targets to win the money.
“Everyone needs to be thanking Bill and LeeAnn Martin,” said Harris. “It was just my turn to be lucky.”
The event was open to 10 shooters. The winners of each of the nine handicap events held during two-week Grand American and the 10th participant was drawn at random from the roster of shooters who had competed in at least four handicaps.
The competitors included Harris, Denis Bringelson, Steve Huber, Steven Jennings, Steve Stedman, Marvin Beumer, Tim Reed, Leo Harrison III, Rick Kaysa and Craig Blank. Stedman was the the 10th qualifier, as his name was drawn shortly before the shootoff. Tim Reed didn’t win a handicap during the Grand, but qualified as runner-up during the Parliament Coach Handicap after winner Nathan Hofer was removed from the complex after shooting a rabbit by the sporting clays course.
Harris also didn’t win any of the handicap events. He finished the Grand American Handicap tied for second with a 99. The Grand American winner, James Curtis, competed in just three handicap events during the Grand and was ineligible for the $100,000 challenge.
Harris defeated Jason Folvag of North Dakota and Neil Burbidge of Alberta in the shootoff for the ninth spot in the $100,000 challenge.
“The Grand American Handicap shootoff really got me in rhythm,” said Harris.
The 10 final competitors were divided in half, with five shooters at a bank for the first round of 25. After that first round, only Harris and Bringelson had perfect scores of 25.
Those two then went head-to-head in another round of 25. Bringelson missed single shots on the third and fourth posts, while Harris broke them all for the big money win.
“I knew Denis was down two, and all I had to do was run the last five to win,” said Harris. “I'd be crazy to tell you the $100,000 wasn't in the back of my mind.”
The other nine shooters didn’t go home empty handed, as the Martins announced after the shootoff that the other nine competitors will each receive $5,000 for their participation.
The Grand American $100,000 Challenge lasted just over an hour as well over 300 people packed the grandstands.
The Martins have already pledged $300,000 for the the 2011 Grand American with another $100,000 challenge planned along with a $200,000 Lewis Challenge for Grand Week.