Kirk started shooting with high-powered rifles in the Marines and was on the division rifle team. He coached shooting at Camp Lejeune, Annapolis, and Little Creek Virginia. After his military service Kirk shot skeet and archery until he decided to try trapshooting. He started shooting trap leagues at Fish Creek, Michigan.
Kirk joined the ATA and MTA in 1978 but shot little until the mid 1990s. Since that time he has won numerous trophies. Just in the past decade he has placed in the Grand American’s Clay Target Championship three times and the Champion of Champions twice. One of his most memorable wins occurred at the 2015 Grand American Clay Target Championship. Kirk brought home the Senior Veteran Champion trophy with a 200×200.
Even today, Kirk’s name can be found on many trophy lists at major shoots in Michigan. At the Great Lakes Grand Kirk has shown his abilities with wins in the handicap, singles, and HAA Veteran or Senior Veteran categories eight of the past 10 years. His Michigan State Shoot trophies are too numerous to list here. The most significant wins include Handicap Champion, Veteran Singles Champion, Veteran HAA Champion, and AA HOA Champion in 2011; Class Singles Champion in 2001; Veteran Class Singles Champion in 2007 and 2011; Senior Veteran Class Singles Champion in 2012, 2013, and 2016; and Senior Veteran HOA Champion in 2015.
Kirk has made the All-American team three times (Veteran 2nd team in 2009 & 2012 and Senior Veteran 2nd Team in 2016). His seven Michigan All-State Team placements include the Veteran team in 2007, 2009, and 2012 and Senior Veteran teams in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
While Kirk is happy about his achievements on the trap field, his fondest memories in trapshooting are the times he spent with family and friends. He talks of the trips to the Grand American he took with his two daughters. His daughters slept in the cab of his truck while he slept in the back. And you are as likely to see Kirk working at any shoot at his home club, Oak Hill Gun Club in Portland, Michigan, as you are to see him shooting. He comes to shoot but he also comes to help at his local club and at the MTA. Look out at the next shootoff at the MTA. You may see him in a shootoff and you will also see him referee, giving back to the sport he enjoys.
