Above, clockwise starting from left: Match Champion Jim Henderson, 2-person Open Team Champions Lee and Wes Fleming, and Overall Team Champions Greg Markowski, Chris Hudock, Joshua Kingery and Jim Henderson.
The 2017 Dixie Match was held at Gateway Rifle and Pistol Club in Jacksonville, FL. The weather was near perfect, giving many of the 45 shooters the opportunity to post some very good scores over the three day match. Jim Henderson, a familiar competitor from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) fired a 2665-151X to take “Top Gun” honors, winning the NRA Regional Championship, making him this year’s Dixie Match Champion. Coming in second, also from the AMU was Greg Markowski, firing a 2663-162X. Chris Hudock, another AMU shooter, finished in third place with a 2614-116X.
Special Category Awards for High Service and Open Division shooter went to Jim Henderson (Midland, GA), High Civilian and High Veteran shooter was Wes Fleming (New Philadelphia, OH), High Senior shooter was won by Mike Milen (Orland Park, IL), High Woman was Kimberly Hobart Fleming (New Philadelphia, OH), High Grand Senior was Eddy Grove (Pasadena, MD). Winning the Metallic Division was Curt Brandt (Safety Harbor, FL).
The AMU won the overall team match (a combination of scores from the .22, Centerfire and .45 team matches) with a total of 3476-148X. Taking second place was a service team from the Marine Forces Reserve, firing a 3162-70X. There were four civilian 2-person teams entered, with the winning team of Lee and Wes Fleming firing a score of 1705-53X.
The NRA Distinguished Revolver Match had 21 shooters. The winner was Greg Markowski (Columbus, GA) firing a 278-7X, followed by Jason Hedrick (Williamsburg, WV) with a 278-5X. Finishing third was Greg Kitchens (Charleston, SC) with a 272-6X.