Lindenwood shotgun sports held the first inaugural Jeff Hansen Memorial Sporting Clays Classic on April 15 at Strathalbyn Farms in St. Charles, Mo.

The Classic was named after Jeff Hansen, the owner of Hansen Tree Service, who became one of the program's biggest fans after participating in a shotgun sports corporate event several years ago.  The contacts he developed by advertising his business on the radio helped the team get recognition at various charitable events throughout the St. Louis area and grow additional support for the program.  Tragically in the summer of 2015, he was killed in a plane accident.  His family started the Jeff Hansen Memorial Fund shortly after attending the Shotgun Sports Awards Banquet in August 2015, guaranteeing that he will be remembered for the amazing person he was and that his passion for the outdoors and shooting will be carried forward into the future through his support of the Lindenwood team.

17 squads, close to 85 shooters, competed in the event Friday. Squads consisted of company representatives from ALPS Outdoorz, G. S. and S. Contractors, Grasser Electric, St. Louis Skeet & Trap, Stifel Nicolaus, Lewis Rice, and more. The event included shotgun demonstrations by current team members that showed each game competed in at the national championships. Concluding the demonstration, the main sporting clays event began. Each squad received a current Lindenwood team member to shoot the competition with them and offer them advice. At the conclusion of the main event, a flurry was also a shooting option for those looking to have a little more fun. Partners or single shooters could compete in the flurry for a prize of ammunition from the team.

Competitor Jeff Hall took first place for the event with a 52. Lindenwood shooter Bradley Miller was the top score for the Lions with a 51.
After the shooting was over, a dinner and auction took place to benefit the Lindenwood Shotgun Sports Scholarship Fund. Auction items included wine from Varozza Vineyards, Cardinals tickets, Blues tickets, and vacation trips. The event not only raised money through this auction, but also through many generous sponsors. A special thank you to Dennis Sappington and Morgan-Stanley, and hosts of the event Strathalbyn Farms, Allen Family, and the Helms Family.

A special thanks to all the sponsors of the event:

Morgan-Stanley
Lion Forge Comics
Argent Capital Management
Marco Polo Outfitters
Ishares by BLACKROCK
Mercy Health
Hansen Tree Service and the Hansen Family
Jim and Anna Blair
Midwest ENT Centre
Sam Hamacher
Schwab Charitable
Summit Realty Ventures
Chris McKee
Asymetric Solutions
Black Hawk Valley Hunting Preserve
Daisy
MB Motorsports
Mittler Brother Tool & Die
Shawn Dulohery Outdoor Adventures
Saint Louis Blues / Alumni / Rick Zombo
Varozza Vineyards
Blaser
CZ USA
Duetcsh Kurzhaar Club
Legacy Electric
MEC Clay Target Machines
Moneta Group
Purina
Saint Louis Skeet and Trap
Shirt Kong
G. S. and S. Contractors
Everyone at 97.1 Talk Radio