Holmes Rallies To Win Central States Open Revolver Title

LOS OSOS, Calif. – Tony Holmes of Lafayette, Ind. started the Smith & Wesson Central States Regional Revolver Championship in fifth place, but rallied back by winning the last five of eight stages to take the lead and the Open division title.

Organized by the International Confederation of Revolver Enthusiasts’ (ICORE), the Central States Regional was hosted by the Bend of the River Conservation Club in Buchanan, Mich. on Sunday, July 17. The match drew many of the region’s top wheelgun shooters.

Holmes outpaced his nearest competitor by 8.55 seconds and won the Open title in a time of 231.20 seconds which placed him first overall among all shooters competing in the three ICORE divisions – Open, Limited and Classic.

“Tony faced an uphill battle starting off in fifth place, but was able to shoot his way to the top and finished strong with five straight stage wins to take the title,” said Ron Joslin of ICORE.

Taking second, and the Senior Open title, was Roger Davis of Hanna, Okla. who won the first three stages and held the lead through the sixth stage before falling behind Holmes and finishing with a time of 239.75 seconds.

Third place went to Dean Gomez of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa with 263.30, while fourth and fifth place went the Todd and Shelia Hoekstra of Kalamazoo, Mich. who finished with 278.90 and 284.19 respectively. Sheila Hoekstra also claimed the Women’s Open title and finished as High Lady among all three divisions.

The Smith & Wesson Central States Regional Revolver Championship was the third of seven events in the 2011 ICORE Regional Series presented by Smith & Wesson. The next event is the Smith & Wesson East Coast Regional Revolver Championship on Sunday, September 25 in New Tripoli, Pa. at the Ontelaunee Rod & Gun Club range.

For more information on ICORE and the ICORE Regional Series presented by Smith & Wesson, visit www.ICORE.org, follow @ICORE_Shooting on Twitter or find ICORE on Facebook at facebook.com/ICOREshooting.