George Beres - PSTC Life Member
My love for firearms was instilled in me by my Father. He always loved guns and kept them in the house for protection and target shooting. My first experience with shooting was with a 22 cal. rifle and revolver. Our Dentist, Dr. Clyde Shawgo, had his office over our candy store and he persuaded my Father to let him take me to a local trap shoot. After watching the shooters, I couldn’t wait until I could talk to my dad into buying me a used shotgun so I could shoot too. I was a Junior in high school and was hooked on trap shooting.
My first registered shoot was the 1946 State Shoot in Edwardsville. I was 18 and just out of school. I had acquired a Rem. 31 pump that I bought from our dentist. I broke a 94 from the 16 yard line.
In 1948, with more experience, I broke a 97 at the Shore Acre Gun Club in Chillicothe. I joined Peoria Skeet and Trap Club that year at the urging of Dr. Shawgo who thought I would enjoy being a member. In 1949, I also bought an ATA Life Membership for $25. I never shot skeet competitively although I shot practice and club events. It came in handy prior to hunting season each year.
We had a great little club on the river, but soon outgrew it. The move to our present location has been a great improvement. Large shoots and the facilities made our club one of the best in the state. Ben Benedict, Harold Doubet, and Jim Foutch were the driving force behind the move to Spring Bay. Our Senior Trap boy, Bill Fisher from Metamora, organized all of the trap help for shoots and practice. He later became a doctor, served eight years in the Army returning to open a practice in Pekin where he has been our family doctor ever since. Our club has been blessed with many great shooters over the years, Becky, her Dad and Grandfather, Ed Dean, Esther Schmidt, Ed Witcus, Dale Ritthaler, Temple Ohl, Dick Jost, and a host of others.
Most of my accomplishments occurred in the 60’s and 70’s. In ’62, I won the Doubles, Handicap, and HOA in the club shoot and repeated the Doubles win a few years later. All of my trophies are gone, but the memories remain. After 11 years as Trap Chairman, I eased back and worked on my golf game. I still shoot practice with friends, drink coffee, and schmooze with the guys. I am proud to be a member of Peoria Skeet and Trap Club for the last 66 years. (Recorded in 2014)
