Restricted 18+ in CA in compliance with CA State Assembly Bill 2571 prohibiting the marketing of firearms to minors in the State of CA.

Skip to content

Civilian Marksmanship Program

  • Home
  • About
  • Donate
  • Sponsorship
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Calendar
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • MeWe
  • Auction
  • Competition Tracker
  • E-Store
  • Forum
  • Join Our Email List
  • Live Targets
  • Photos
  • Home
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • NM SUPPORT TEAM – NEW MEMBER FORM
    • RETURNING NM SUPPORT TEAM FORM
    • Privacy Policy
    End of Navigation Section
  • About
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Director Emeritus
    • Director of Civilian Marksmanship
    • Board of Directors
    • Programs Chief
    End of Navigation Section
  • Donate
  • Sponsorship
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Youth
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Air Gun Matches
    • College Resources
    • Aces Postal
    • American Legion Junior 3PAR Tournament
    • JROTC 3PAR Matches
      • National JROTC Air Rifle Championship History
    • Junior Rifle Camps and Clinics
      • Junior Air Rifle Camp Counselors
      • Application to Host a CMP Summer Camp
      • Junior Rifle Camp Counselor Resources
    • Junior Distinguished Badge
    • Postal and Regional 3PAR CMP Matches
      • CMP 3PAR Regional Championships
      • CMP 3PAR State Championships
    • CMP National 3PAR Championship
      • State 3PAR Junior Olympic Championships
      • CMP National 3PAR Championship History
    • National Trophy Junior Team Match
    • 3PAR Shooting information
      • 3PAR FAQs
      • Sanctioning 3PAR Matches
      • National 3PAR Council
      • 3PAR Forms
      • 3PAR National Records
      • National Standard 3PAR Rules
    • CMP Scholarship Program
    • CMP-USMC Highpower Rifle Clinic
    End of Navigation Section
  • Clubs
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Club-Related Forms
    • CMP Affiliate Rifle Purchase Program
    • Club News
    • Become Affiliated with CMP
      • CMP Affiliation Application Form
      • Benefits of Club Affiliation
    • CMP MOU's
    • CMP-Affiliated State Associations
      • M1 Garand Fund Development Program
    • Club-Sanctioned Clinics and Matches
    • Find a CMP-Affiliated Club Near You
    • Form a CMP Marksmanship Club
    End of Navigation Section
  • Compete
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • ACES POSTAL COMPETITION
    • CMP National Records
    • CMP Smallbore Program
      • CMP Smallbore Postal Program
    • CMP Air Rifle and Air Pistol Program
    • CMP League Matches
    • Get Started
    • Matches
      • Air Gun Matches
      • CMP Match Award Donors
      • Talladega Matches
      • Camp Perry Matches
      • Military Matches
      • Rimfire Sporter Rifle Matches
      • All Upcoming Matches
    • Register for a CT Number
    • Distinguished Badge Program
      • Distinguished Marksman Badge
    • Competition Rulebooks
    • Forms
    • CMP Pistol Program
      • CMP Bianchi Cup
    • CMP Live Target Images
    • CMP Travel Games
    • Marksmanship Forums
    • Junior Highpower Support Program
    • CMP Rifle Program
    End of Navigation Section
  • National Matches
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • CMP Industry Day
    • National Smallbore Matches
    • National Air Gun Matches
    • National Matches Junior Camp
    • National Matches Support Team
    • Long Range Matches
    • National Trophy Pistol Matches
    • Awards & Trophies
      • Vintage Sniper Match
      • CMP Game Events Awards
      • Long Range Awards
      • Individual Pistol Awards
      • National Trophies
      • National Trophy Individual and Aggregate Rifle Awards
      • National Trophy Team Rifle Awards
      • National Trophy Infantry Team Rifle Awards
      • Team and Special Aggregate Pistol Awards
    • National Matches First Shot Ceremony speakers
    • National Matches Air Gun Events
    • National Matches Welcome Center Information
    • National Rimfire Sporter Rifle Match
    • National Matches Spectator Events
    • National Matches Camps, Clinics, and Schools
    • National Trophy Rifle Matches
    • Directions to Camp Perry
    • Area Lodging Info
    • CMP National Championship Matches
    • National CMP Games Events
    • National Matches Archive project
    • Commercial Row Information
    End of Navigation Section
  • Education
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Basic Archery Course
    • Advanced Maintenance Class
    • Basic Pistol Course
    • Advanced Highpower Clinic
    • GSMM Master Instructor Training and Certification
      • GSM Master Instructor Resources
    • Armorer's Corner
    • Clinics
    • NM COLLECTOR SOFTWARE - CMP EDITION
    • Other Resources
    • Range Officer Training Course
      • Range Officer Training Course: Level II Rifle
      • Range Officer Training Course: Level II Pistol
    • Shooting Tips from the USAMU Service Rifle Team
      • USAMU FAQs: Equipment and Ammunition
      • USAMU FAQs: Shooting Positions
      • USAMU FAQs: Shooting Techniques and Tactics
    • Information on CMP Target Systems
    • Basic Rifle Class
    • Introduction to Shotgun Class
    • JROTC Marksmanship Instructor Course
      • JMIC- Master Instructor Resources
    • State Directors
      • CMP State Director News Submission Form
      • CMP State Director Application
    • Small Arms Firing Schools at the National Matches
    • Rifle and Pistol Training
    • Coaching Resources
      • Air Rifle Target Stand Plans
    End of Navigation Section
  • News & Media
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • National Matches Results Bulletins
    • CMP Podcasts
    • CMP Media Kit
    • ON THE MARK Newsletter
      • An On the Mark Series by: Gary Anderson
    • Customer Comments/Feedback
    • CMP Publications and Training Materials
    • The First Shot
    • CMP Shooting News Archives
      • Join Our Email List
    End of Navigation Section
  • Safety
  • Sales & Services
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Ordering Information
    • CMP Program & Sales Specials
    • Rifle Sales
    • Creedmoor Rifles & Accessories
    • CMP Gift Certificates
    • 1911 Sales Information
    • Videos - M1 Garand
    • CMP Purchase Eligibility Requirements
    • Club Sales Index
    • Custom Gunsmithing
    • Firearm and Parts Sales Links
    • Guns on Auction
    • How CMP Supports Veteran Organizations
    • Visit CMP Stores
    • CMP Target Sales Program
    End of Navigation Section
  • Ranges
    Skip This Navigation Section
    • Air Gun Competition Centers
      • Anniston, Alabama Lodging
      • CMP Monthly Match Program
      • Open Marksmanship
    • CMP Talladega Marksmanship Park
      • Talladega Matches & Events
      • CMP Talladega Pro Shop
      • Talladega Marksmanship Park Shotgun Events
      • 5K Range Run & 1K Fun Run
      • 3D Archery Range
      • Talladega Marksmanship Park Sponsorships
      • Paver Project
      • Talladega Marksmanship Park area lodging info
    • CMP Targets at Petrarca Range
      • CMP Petrarca Monthly .22 Bench League
    End of Navigation Section

Sollars Fires Record-Breaking Score in Popular John C. Garand Match

August 4, 2014

Civilian Marksmanship Program▸The First Shot▸Sollars Fires Record-Breaking Score in Popular John C. Garand Match

By Ashley Brugnone, CMP Writer

Soggy weather put a damper on the early relays of the Garand match, but competitors and spectators still managed to find their ways to the Camp Perry ranges.
Soggy weather put a damper on the early relays of the Garand match, but competitors and spectators still managed to find their ways to the Camp Perry ranges.

CAMP PERRY, OH – Through the rainy mist of July 19, a swarm of 1,080 competitors fired in the As-Issued John C. Garand Match at the 2014 National Rifle Matches at Camp Perry. Though marksmen fought through foggy glasses and wet triggers during the rainy morning, the soggy weather eventually subsided to clear skies to the always-eager Garand crowd.

Milton Beckwith, 89, has been coming to Camp Perry since 1954. With the help of members of his home shooting club in Connecticut, he still manages to make the trip to the National Matches every year.
Milton Beckwith, 89, has been coming to Camp Perry since 1954. With the help of members of his home shooting club in Connecticut, he still manages to make the trip to the National Matches every year.

Milton Beckwith, 89, of Wethersfield, CT, still managed to find his way to the firing line, even through the rain. Beckman has been attending the National Matches at Camp Perry since 1954. Then, he was a talented pistol shooter – earning his Distinguished Pistol badge in 1969.

As he grew older, his shoulder began to hurt, and he could no longer hold the pistol out in front of him. That’s when he switched to rifle. Now, he still finds time to shoot every week at the Fin, Fur and Feather Club in Chaplin, CT.

Milton Beckwith still found his way to the firing line, even through the rain. As chance would have it, 89-year-old Beckwith was assigned to firing point 89 during the Garand Match.
Milton Beckwith still found his way to the firing line, even through the rain. As chance would have it, 89-year-old Beckwith was assigned to firing point 89 during the Garand Match.

“I just like to shoot,” said Beckman, with a smile.

His wife, Connie, 86, wasn’t thrilled about the idea of her husband making the trip all the way to Camp Perry for the 60th year, but, according to him, it’s the only time of year she can get anything done.

“She likes to get rid of me. She has things around the house that I won’t let be done – things painted this color or that color. So while I’m away, that happens,” he joked.

Jason Kozora and his step-dad, Craig Downing, built the M1 Garand Kozora used during the match. The two have built around 20 rifles together.
Jason Kozora and his step-dad, Craig Downing, built the M1 Garand Kozora used during the match. The two have built around 20 rifles together.

Jason Kozora, 28, of Columbus, OH, and his step-dad, Craig Downing, 50, of Cleveland, OH, built the M1 he fired in the match from a CMP barrel and receiver and other pieces and parts. Together, the pair has constructed about 20 rifles together. The M1 Garand took nearly 2 years to build.

“It’s just something I enjoy doing,” said Kozora. “I’d rather be doing this than work.”

Competitors in the John C. Garand Match fire “as-issued” U.S. M1 Garands through a course of fire that is easily completed by both new and experienced marksmen.
Competitors in the John C. Garand Match fire “as-issued” U.S. M1 Garands through a course of fire that is easily completed by both new and experienced marksmen.

Competitors in the National John C. Garand Match fire “as-issued” U.S. M1 Garands through a Course of Fire that is designed in a way that allows experienced and inexperienced marksmen to easily complete. Because of this, the match attracts a large number of recreation-oriented shooters to enjoy a day of camaraderie, history and competition.

Winning the overall match was Larry Sollars, 43, of Cumming, GA. Sollars also set a new record for the event, with a score of 293-9x. The previous record of 293-6x was fired by Kurt Palmer in 2009.

“I was shocked,” Sollars said. “I knew the score was good when I finished, but I didn’t think it was a match winner. I thought surely someone would shoot better.”

Sollars and his friends were out eating lunch after the match when the group informed him that he was actually in first place. After that, he started to keep an eye on Competition Tracker throughout the day.

“Late in the day, I finally realized that it was a new record too. It was incredible,” he said.

Though he earned his name in the record books, it almost wasn’t meant to be. Sollars wasn’t even going to shoot in the match, but his friend, Ben Franklin, 56, of Woodstock, GA, convinced Sollars that he should, since he happened to arrive to his hotel a day early and had nothing to do.

Over 1,000 competitors arrived in the wet conditions on July 19 to fire in the always-popular John C. Garand Match.
Over 1,000 competitors arrived in the wet conditions on July 19 to fire in the always-popular John C. Garand Match.

“When he saw the rain outside, he was quick to point out that it was my idea to shoot the match,” Franklin joked. “But it cleared up as soon as we started. He really owes his win to me.”

Proving his skill with a Garand, Sollars has advice for anyone else looking to master any CMP Games Match.

“Come out to shoot and have a good time. Don’t set your expectations out of sight. Just shoot your scores. Shoot your game. It helps relieve some of the pressure. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself,” he said.

Coming in second place in the match and winning the High Senior Award was Robert Steketee, 64, of Haslett, MI, with a score of 292-11x. Kenneth Davis, 60, of Lucasville, OH, followed closely in third with a score of 292-8x. Robert Hudson II, of Halifax, VA, was the High Junior with a score of 285-8X.

New this year was the Grand Senior Award awarded to the high competitor (70+). Of the 68 competitors that were 70+, Michael Jozefov Jr. of Brunswick, OH, earned top honors firing a 278-4X.

Tweet
Share
Pin
Share
0 Shares

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Auction
  • Competition Tracker
  • E-Store
  • Forum
  • Join Our Email List
  • Live Targets
  • Photos

Civilian Marksmanship Program

Mission – Promote marksmanship through firearms training, safety, competitions and youth programs.
Vision – To lead the nation in marksmanship excellence providing safe, high quality and innovative programs with a focus on youth.

If you need assistance accessing any of our content or would like it in an alternative format you can contact us via our contact form, click here.

  • Calendar
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • MeWe
  • Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Donate
  • Sponsorship
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Youth
  • Clubs
  • Compete
  • National Matches
  • Education
  • News & Media
  • Safety
  • Sales & Services
  • Ranges
  • Privacy Policy

©2023 Civilian Marksmanship Program. All rights reserved.
Site by West Edge Collective.