Gold Tip’s Own Gillingham Climbs Back to Win First ASA Event at Newberry
OutdoorHub 02.04.14
The Polar Vortex put a chill on travel plans for some heading to the opening tournament of the ASA season in Newberry, Florida, but Gold Tip shooters kept the heat on from beginning to end. With a come from behind performance, Gold Tip Pro Staff coordinator, Tim Gillingham, took home the win in the Men’s Pro Division, while 2013 ASA Shooter of the Year and fellow Gold Tip Pro Staffer, Levi Morgan, claimed third place for himself. In the Men’s Senior Pro Division, Gold Tip Pro Staffer, Duane Price, walked away with his first ever victory, while fellow Gold Tip shooter, Carl Adkins, took second. At the outdoor 3-D event, Pro Division contestants shoot two rounds of twenty targets from unmarked distances that vary in distance up to 50 yards. The five highest scores from the first two rounds qualify for the shoot-off to decide the winner.
Levi Morgan, shooting Gold Tip’s Triple X Pros, was the man to beat right out of the gate ending round one at an amazing +22. Meanwhile, Gillingham, also shooting Gold Tip’s Triple X Pros, found himself 10-points off the lead going into round two. “I made a mistake early on, but knuckled down and ended up finishing the second round with a 222,” said Gillingham.”I’d climbed back and cut his lead to 6 points and felt good going into the final shoot off in second place.”
Morgan and Gillingham went into the final shoot off holding first and second place, respectively. Fellow Bee Stinger Pro Staffer, Jeff Hopkins, also found himself in the finals. After the first arrow of the final shoot off, things changed quickly, with Morgan shooting a twelve and extending his lead by 8 over Gillingham. But, seizing the moment, Gillingham pounded a 14 on the second target, cutting Morgan’s lead to 4 points. Continuing to drop the hammer down, Gillingham went on to shoot three more twelves and closed Morgan’s lead to 2 points. Hopkins, who had entered the final shoot off in fifth place, also made his move, firing two 14’s in a row for his fourth and fifth targets to put further pressure on both Morgan and Gillingham, going into the final target. In the end, Gillingham shot a solid 10 to take the win, with a final score of 504. Hopkins found the 14 ring for a third target in a row, taking him to 502 and inching him past Morgan for the second place finish. Morgan completed the round with a score of 500 and landed third.
“Knowing how much time, energy, and passion Levi and Tim devote to their sport, I couldn’t be happier for both men,” said Mitch McKay, Director of Sales for Gold Tip. “It’s a terrific start to the tournament season for Gold Tip and Bee Stinger and we look forward to continued success!”
