I was a regular with "The Geezer Squad" at PGC for a few years. That's where I met Dave. I showed up with my Dad's old 870 TC with a 34" tube and proceeded to hold my own with a gang of guys who had more collective experience than I could fathom at the time. In my late-30s, I became an "honorary Geezer." I would head to PGC, without fail, every Friday for a few rounds of trap, a round or two of Chinese, and the great bull sessions that preceded and followed each and EVERY round (aw, Hell - they continued even DURING the round, 'specially when someone was running 'em straight....).
After the death of my father '08, I slowly drifted away from my Friday play-time. I practically gave up shooting trap all together. Don't know why - it just happened.
Earlier today, my Son and I got a call from one his friend's Dads. We're heading out to PGC tomorrow for some skeet and sporting clays. I decided to check in with THR and see what my old friend Dave has been up to.
I'm sitting here typing this with tears streaming down my face.
Goodbye, my friend. You probably never realized it, but you were a huge influence on me. The world is a poorer place due to your absence. I will miss you forever, just like I miss my Old Man.
I promise that I will remember those golden nuggets of wisdom you planted in my brain and also promise that many targets will be ground to dust in your honor tomorrow.