Press Release: Team GLOCK Shooting Squad Champions at the 2008 Georgia Steel Challenge

January 11, 2008

Team GLOCK Shooting Squad Champions at the 2008 Georgia Steel Challenge

The 2008 season began for the Team GLOCK Shooting Squad with victories at the Georgia Steel Challenge Championship. The 3rd Annual steel tournament took place January 3-5 at the Griffin Gun Club in Griffin, Georgia and drew more than 120 entries including GLOCK’s Dave Sevigny, Jessie Abbate and Randi Rogers. At this event competitors were required to draw and hit five steel targets at ranges from 7-35 yards. Competitors receive five separate start commands in succession and keep the best four runs to attain a total time for the stage. Each of the seven courses of fire present a slightly different challenge to the competitors. “Outer Limits” was the only course that was not available from the standard eight course Steel Challenge menu.

Temperatures dipped into the teens on Friday morning which had an affect on everyone. Hand warmers and propane heaters could be found in every shooting bay. In the afternoon, temperatures finally broke into the 50’s.

Team GLOCK Captain Dave Sevigny, the 2007 National Steel Master, shot his GLOCK 34 on Thursday afternoon and won the overall match in Limited division with a 73.41 second total. On Friday morning Dave shot his Open (electronic sight) GLOCK 17 which should help a shooter produce faster times, but cold weather contributed to a higher Open division total score of 76.35 seconds. Sevigny commented, “It’s very uncommon to see shooters here bundled up like this. The early a.m. temperatures made it tough to get going. You can dress warm, but you have to strip some layers when it’s your turn. Needless to say, we were trying to finish quick! By looking at these totals it’s obvious I’m not as good in very cold weather. Our goal was to keep more weekend slots open for others coming to the match so we shot Friday morning. I’m content with my Limited score and especially proud of Jessie and Randi’s strong performances here.” The entire Shooting Squad not only competed at the Georgia Steel Challenge, but worked with the staff as they have done on several occasions. “We like to donate our time whenever possible. It’s a great way for us to contribute to sport shooting and talk to competitors and GLOCK customers,” said Sevigny. Despite what he considered an overall “mediocre” Open division performance, Sevigny shot a personal best on the stage known as “Smoke and Hope” with a blistering 7.95 second, four-string total in Open division. Jessie Abbate, the 2007 High Lady Steel Challenge World Champion, won the High Lady title in Open division with an 85.63 second total and second place overall in Open division. Jessie said, “I really enjoyed the friendly atmosphere with the entire Shooting Squad and GLOCK employees shooting together to begin the 2008 season. Plus, I’m very happy with finishing second overall in Open.”

Both Sevigny and Abbate used 9mm GLOCK 17 pistols, modified by S&J Customs to be competitive in the Open “race” division. Randi Rogers, the 2007 High Lady Winchester World Challenge Champion won High Lady titles in both Production and Limited division with her GLOCK 34 with totals of 116.19 and 104.29 seconds respectively. Though she’s conditioned to cold weather in her home state of Colorado, Randi Rogers also posted better scores in the afternoon. “This match was an exciting and challenging experience. While I never expected to shoot in below 20 degree weather in Georgia, it was still a great match. Shooting as a team allowed me to learn so much and I look forward to shooting many more steel matches in the future,” said Rogers.

GLOCK, Inc. has been a long time supporter of the shooting sports. This year at the Georgia Steel Challenge, GSSF staff members Chris Edwards, Scott Gilbertson and Cindy Noyes competed and assisted with the match along with GLOCK, Inc. Vice President of Military Sales and Operations, Josh Dorsey and Director of Training Alan Ramsey.

Beyond actual competition, the Shooting Squad continues to introduce gun owners and beginners to shooting sports. The 2008 Georgia Steel Challenge was no exception. Jay Randall, Manager of UNITS Mobile Storage in Atlanta, Georgia has owned GLOCK pistols but has never competed in a pistol match. He was personally invited to the range to view the competition by Dave Sevigny. Mr. Randall said, “I was impressed with the camaraderie and diversity of the participants and the level of professionalism by Team GLOCK. Observing Dave and his teammate’s skillful displays of marksmanship was truly exciting.” With personal guidance from the Shooting Squad, the event has inspired Mr. Randall to pursue the sport and bring his wife and two young girls to sport shooting events in the near future.

Also in attendance was Sarah Davis, a young lady who is employed as a digital evidence examiner who has little experience with pistols. She decided to borrow a pistol and compete for the first time ever. Following the match she stated, “I put my fears to rest shortly after the competition began. This experience exceeded my expectations. The people were friendly and accommodating and I will be back to shoot again for sure!”

About GLOCK, Inc.
Utilizing advanced technological methods, GLOCK has a leading position in the world market as a pistol andaccessories designer and manufacturer. With theircommitment to uncompromised quality, GLOCK uses high-tech engineering to provide the international benchmark for safety, reliability and ease of maintenance. GLOCK’s remarkable knowledge and experience from their applications and processing of steel and polymer are being used to design revolutionary products. These products meet and exceed the ongoing demands of law enforcement, military and civilian customers for firearms that demonstrate the very best in reliability, durability and safety of use. Their high-tech engineering and construction create a handgun that can stand up to punishment that even the most unforgiving conditions can generate.