Hack & Blast raises money for Plains groups
Noxon’s Nick Posselt tees off from a toilet seat contraption during Saturday’s annual Plains Hack and Blast event at the Wild Horse Plains Golf Club. (Chuck Bandel/Valley Press)
Kalispell resident Andy Kelly fires at a clay target during Saturday’s annual Plains Hack and Blast event at the Plains Trap Club. (Chuck Bandel/Valley Press)
They came, they saw, they blasted and they hacked.
In the end, a good time was had by all who participated in the annual Hack and Blast trap shoot/golfing tournament Saturday at the Plains Trap Club and nearby Wild Horse Plains Golf Course.
Eighteen four-person teams comprised of shooters and golfers from throughout the area competed in the day-long event which raised more than $3,500 for the Trap Club and Golf Course.
The four-member teams consisted of a wide range of skills in both sports. The event was highlighted by an unusual nine holes of golf including the first tee where golfers sat on a toilet seat mounted atop a short piece of culvert for their first swing.
Trap Club member Tanner Colombo of Plains, who kept score during both the shooting and golfing events and was instrumental in keeping things moving throughout the day said each participant paid $50 in entry fees. The proceeds go to help maintain both facilities during the year, he said.
“This event has been going on for about 20 years now and its always a great, fun time,” said. “Both of these sports are activities people can do and enjoy whether they are young or into their 80s.”
Colombo, who has been a trap shooter for 18 years, opened the activities with competition in the trap shooting event. Shooters tried to knock down mechanically launched clay targets from 20 yards back with points based on number of targets hit and missed.
Andy Kelly came from Kalispell to take part in the event.
“It’s a really fun way to spend the day,” he said. “I’m not sure if I’m a better golfer or a better shooter.”
That was a sentiment expressed by several participants and it clearly did not matter.
Longtime trap shooter and Plains resident Barry Gilpin was quick to admit he was a better shooter than golfer.
“I’ve been shooting for more than 40 years and it has always been such a fun sport,” Gilpin said. “That’s good because I’m not much of a golfer.”
In addition to the toilet seat first hole, golfers also “teed” off at another course hole by hitting their first shot with a baseball bat.
At the end of the day all participants gathered for food and friendship at the Trap Club.
