Local team takes the win at Hack and Blast

Spring not only brings the warm weather and sunshine, it also brings the annual Hack and Blast to the Plains Trap Club.

Organizers with the club once again were full of excitement to welcome the event which truly begins the kick off of the summer shooting season, and what better way then combining the sports of trap shooting and golf.

Though team numbers overall where down this year there was still a solid turnout of 13 four-man teams that came in from all over the Northwest for the day’s event.

Beginning at the local trap club grounds, teams lined up to take care of the “blast” part of the event.

Teams from Missoula, Polson, Huson, Thompson Falls, Stevensville and of course Plains lined up in front of the trap to kick off the day in style.

The trap shooting part of the Hack and Blast not only allows shooters to ensure their hand-eye coordination is on point before hitting the golf course, it also enables them to work out their individual team handicap before hitting the nine-hole course.

The shoot is worked under the same set up as the seen in the ‘Buddy’ style shoot. Teams partner up in buddy shoot- which means each team of four splits into a team of two when the stand at the line.

When they make their way up to the line, shooting roughly from 20 yards back, the first shooter will aim to hit their bird straight off the bat.

If the first shooter hits their bird the team will get a score of zero, if the first shooter misses but the second shooter (the buddy) hits the bird they will get a score of one; if both shooters miss they get a score of two.

What makes this unique for the Hack and Blast is the shooting portion of the event is scored based off a golf scoring system.

The system was broken down to work the handicap off the overall shoot score; this was put together and revitalized by the late Tom Kunzer.

Each shooter has 10 goes at the “blast” and also has to back up their partner. So each shooter essentially steps up to the trap around 20 times in the hopes they hit the first time, or they can back up their buddy to get the lowest score helping them grab an advantage of the taking the lead; especially if they aren’t the greatest golfers.

Once the trap shooting half of the event is complete, which will usually take around two hours to finish, the teams have a small break for lunch and hydrate as they await their handicaps and get set to hit the golf course.

Though this year didn’t see any ladies take part, it was still a fun-filled atmosphere that saw the guys get into the spirit of the fun-styled competition.

Some walked the course with their clubs, but the majority teamed up and ensured they had a golf buggy to make for ease as they traveled the course.

The Plains Golf Club boasts a course that showcases views of the town, the valley and the Clark Fork River.

As Kyle Brown, who explained the rules and called teams to their starting holes, there was a buzz of excitement in the air as they all prepared to hit the course looking for that almighty win of the Hack and Blast.

One of the unique aspects of the golfing portion, is how teams have to work together to get their best scores. After they tee off the drive, they have to work as a team to make each putt count. Those who have a great long game usually aid in getting the best ball that determines where the rest of the team has to play from. Still aiming to get as fewer strokes as possible to sink the putt, they trade off pushing from the same spot.

Those who showcased a great short game were seen to aid their team as they watched their opponents over shoot the hole in the pin.

Three of the nine stations of course held some exclusive handicaps of their own just to keep competitors at their best game.

Hole one saw golfers drive off a camp-styled toilet seat. Golfers had to be seated from the wind back through to the hit, hoping they could drive the ball the fartherest down the green.

One team from Missoula couldn’t resit the urge to have some good old fashioned fun at each other’s expense as they took turns taking the shot off seat.

Along with the novelty of driving off a toilet, golfers also had hole no. 6 that required them to drive off from their less dominate hand.

Then the other slightly entertaining novelty hole for golfers, to which is where most of the laughter could be heard from in the back of the course, was at hole no. 5 where they had to drive off with a baseball bat.

Proving great hand-eye coordination was key to hit the small golf ball with a baseball bat. Some gentlemen opted to have a buddy gently pith the ball while others thought they would try their luck with a self pitch and hit.

One of those drive offs that was seen to be of the more delicate nature, you truly have to be precise with hit to ensure you earn a long drive off the tee.

With laughter, golf balls and plenty of fores making their way around the course, it took around four hours for golfers to ensure they made a birdie or a par where they could as the sun broke through the clouds.

The other highlight for the event that organizers felt was added bonus to this year’s big day, was the whispers of a bachelor party.

With two groups opting for the Hack and Blast instead of the big city stag party the guys ensured the their bachelor truly enjoyed a favorite past time and didn’t have to worry about much more than hitting the bird on the trap, or sinking the put on the course.

Once all said and done organizers for this year’s event said they were ecstatic with the turn out they received, though numbers where essentially down; the event still proved to produce a fantastic day of fun for all those that came out.

Competitors once again converged back to the Trap Club after their round of golf to enjoy a cold beverage while event secretary Cookie Kunzer tallied up the scores before dinner and the official presentation.

The 2018 winning team received a cash prize for their efforts both on the trap and the golf course. The Plains Auto Parts team which consisted of Tanner Colombo, Ty Colombo, Mike Holland and Beau French, were id to be very pleased with the win after a long day of competition.

With the official ‘fun event’ done and dusted for another year, local shooters are getting set to finish up their league competition and hit some of the bigger association sanctioned trap shooting events around the state and country over the summer months.