World Record ATA Doubles Squad---1963

The picture above was taken during 1963---pretty sure it was the Eastern Zone Shoot in Thurmont Maryland. The squad made history in the ATA by posting a world record doubles score for a squad of 490 X 500. This record lasted many years and was the first time in ATA history that two shooters broke perfect 100s in doubles in one squad.

The shooters are from left to right:

John Parks ---97 X 100
Frank Little----100 X 100
Ted Philipbar (my father)---94 X 100
Nick Egan-----99 X 100
Harry Willsey-100 X 100

Frank was the champion in a shoot-off over Harry. Nick Egan was a former Grand
American handicap champion. Quite sure that Nick is still alive, the only one.
A very cool record of accomplishment. My dad most likely shot event with a Winchester model 21.

 

Like to know what guns they used? Did Frank use a Browning Broadway? Looks like some pump guns also?

 

Don't go by this picture for the guns used in doubles...this picture was taken at this shoot, but it was either handicap or singles event there. None of these guys used a pump for doubles. Not sure what they used for doubles.
I knew all these guys pretty well.
John Parks, from Mass, one of the nicest, most interesting guys you'd ever want to know. He shot a model 12 for years, and was one of the smoothest shooters ever to watch shoot.
Quite sure all of these guys were state hall of fame members, and Frank was in the ATA Hall of Fame also.
Frank made the 27 yard line at our club in New York, Taconic Trap Club back around the early 60s. He broke a 95 X 100
in a thunder storm to do it. Both he and my dad, Ted Philipbar were on the 26 1/2 yard line at the time.

 

Jeff,

Oddly, nobody realized the feat of this world record squad at the time. The shoot report didn't even mention the two perfect doubles scores. At least I never found it.

It must have been the preliminary doubles since the report has Frank Little winning the Zone Doubles title with 98 and Ohmer Webb runnerup with 96.

It was a very short report (a page & 1 column with pictures taking up much of the pages) on both the E.Z. tournament (July 25-28) and Maryland State Shoot (July 21-23)

Harry Willsie from Montreal had a great shoot. He captured the Zone HOA (986x1000); Zone HAA (392x400); The E.Z. Vice President's trophy (296x300); Zone Handicap (99x100) and winning the shootoff with 25 straight over Denver Brown with 24 and the Class AA Singles (199x200).

The record squad was recognized some time later. I found it in the 1970 October issue of Trap & Field.

​

HB

 

Thanks for the info HB! I will check out for more info, I have all the Trap and Field magazines which were put in hard cover books. My dad had them from day one, I think they will go back to 1963.
Again, thanks for the info.

Best regards,
Jeff

 

Here's the 1963 Eastern Zone report for you.

​

 

WOW! Great to see pics of some of my old friends. Donald Peed gave me pointers on doubles. CD Kubic was my traveling buddy. In fact the last time I ever shot the Grand in 1985, both Donald Peed and CD Kubic were on my doubles squad.

On the last trap Donald came over and instructed me to slow down a little cause I was starting to shoot faster. Went on to win a class trophy with his advice.
THANKS FOR POSTING

 

After looking a bit more I am posting the inside cover info from the Trap and Field magazine, 1963...You can see the guns these guys shot (singles event pic) much clearer.
Notice also the picture of Roger Fawcett (from the Fawcett Publishing Company) on the cover also...Roger was an excellent shot back in the day also. He would be a good candidate for a state hall of fame-either Conn or NY. I think he won the Marshall's Marathon 2 times. This shoot was one of the biggest in the country at the time, I believe only second to the Grand. It drew some of the greatest shooters from the country...Joe Hiestand being a winner there also.

 

Hey quarternelson,

Did you ever meet Happy Felton who took the picture of Roger Fawcett? I have a file on him, his wife Vi. Both had very interesting lives and loved trapshooting.

Francis J. Felton changed his name sometime about 1947, when his doctor told him not to worry, be happy. He took his advise and changed his name to Happy Felton.

Francis J. “Happy” FELTON
30 NOV 1907, Bellevue, PA – 21 OCT 1964, New York, NY
114 E. 78th St., NY
67 W. 44th St., % Fawcett Publications Inc., NY
All-American Football Tackle at Georgia Tech (1925)
Vaudeville, Stage, Radio Comic Actor
“Melody Master Band: Music with a Smile” (1938)
“Whistling in Brooklyn” (1943)
Host of “Finders Keepers” Radio Show (1945)
Brooklyn Dodger Base Ball Team Announcer
“Happy Felton’s Knothole Gang” (1950-1957 TV Show)
1,000 Marathon Club President (1958 )
Wrote Shoot Reports for TRAP & FIELD (1959-1964)
NYAC Vice Chairman
Atlantic Indians Guest (Spring 1956)
Atlantic Indians Member
Lost Shoot-off for the Hoss (1960) 96x100 +22 s/o
New York ATA State Delegate (1961-1963)
Reported the 1962 New York State Shoot
On Cover of December 1962 Trap & Field
ATA Life Member​

 

I remember him and his family quite well. My dad used to run and cashier the shoots at the NYAC back in the 60s. I remember him from there.

 

It seems not long ago I was "The Kid". But alas that was some time ago. I was active in the early 70's in Ohio before moving to MT in '76. I recall Frank Little shot a Pigeon grade Broadway in both singles and double competition. I too shot a Broadway to AA but couldn't hold a candle to Frank. He was a special competitor. RIP Bob

 

Frank did shoot Browning for everything. Don't believe it was a Broadway.