Sporting Clays Tournament Benefits Knox County GOP
By Jamie Schnell
schnellj@knoxfocus.com
Iron Mountain Sporting Clays in Kodak was the vibrant setting for the second Sporting Clays Tournament, a spirited event held last Friday in support of the Knox County Republican Party.
Following the success of the previous clay shooting event in 2023, this year’s tournament marked a noteworthy milestone as it was the inaugural event organized by the new Sporting Clays Tournament chair, Brian Walker.
The weather was beautiful, and the day was filled with friendly competition and camaraderie, with a light breakfast and lunch served to all participants. Walker remarked, “It’s been a solid day, and lots of fun.”
A silent auction took place, and Kyle Nahrebne, vice chair of Knox County GOP and president of the Knox County Republican Women, manned the merchandise table. 5th District Knox County Commissioner Angela Russell said the “goal of the event is to raise awareness and funds for the party.” Volunteer Jennifer Walker encouraged people to join in the fun and promote unity.
Knox County Clerk Sherry Witt told The Focus, “I’m thrilled about this. We aim to foster unity, have a fun and delightful day, and raise money for the party. The funds raised will help bring awareness, facilitate networking and support future events.”
Ending the event was a thrilling victory for Team Willie. This talented team, consisting of DeWayne Raines, Andrew Sturgill, Mark Morgan and David Towe, demonstrated exceptional teamwork and precision, earning their place at the top of the leaderboard.
The day was not just about competition; it was a celebration of community and shared values. The success of the event was supported by several sponsors, including Commissioner and candidate for county mayor Larsen Jay, Burks and Ogle Attorneys at Law, The Knoxville Focus, Americans for Prosperity, Bailey Insurance, and the Truth Between Lines YouTube Channel.
The next event will be the Back-to-School BBQ & Family Picnic hosted by the Knox County Republican Party on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 5 p.m at the Marble Pavilion at Lakeshore Park. The event will have BBQ, desserts, drinks and games.
For sponsorship opportunities, donations or to volunteer for future events, visit www.KnoxCountyRepublicanParty.com.
