Gun Culture And Society
Calvert City Gun Club Extends Legacy at Kentucky State Skeet Championship
Club’s 19th title highlights both tradition and fierce family rivalries in competitive skeet shooting
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Kevil, Kentucky
KEVIL, Ky. The Calvert City Gun Club solidified its place at the top of Kentuckys skeet shooting tradition by capturing its 19th five-man team championship at the Kentucky State Skeet Shoot this August. The squad delivered a near-flawless performance, hitting 497 out of 500 targets, a score that ties the events all-time record and reinforces the clubs dominance in the sport. Their names now join a decades-long roster of shooters who have carried the prestigious traveling trophy, a prize steeped in nearly a century of history since the competition began in 1935. Interrupted only briefly during World War II, the skeet shoot has grown into one of the states most enduring firearms traditions, blending precision marksmanship with community identity. The winning lineupDr. Kenneth Ford, Barry Stevenson, Jody Stevenson, Gavin Stevenson, and Bart Redmonshowed that success in skeet comes not just from individual skill but from the collective rhythm of a team firing on all cylinders. Each shooter had to perform at the highest level, but the cohesion of the group ensured the line maintained focus, pressure, and confidence through all stations. Their result wasnt just another bannerit was a statement that the methods and mentorship within Calvert Citys program remain unmatched. Equally compelling was the family rivalry that played out in the two-man events, turning the championship into more than just a test of accuracy. The father-son duo of Jody and Gavin Stevenson squared off against the seasoned pair of Dr. Ford and Barry Stevenson in a series of matchups that showcased both generational talent and competitive fire. Ford and Barry Stevenson edged out the Stevensons by a single target in the high overall championship, posting 785 out of 800. But Jody and Gavin struck back with commanding wins in the doubles event and in the 12-gauge competition, where they prevailed after a dramatic shoot-off. The rivalry extended through the smaller gauges as well, with Ford and Barry Stevenson taking the 20-gauge event and outlasting their clubmates in another shoot-off for the 28-gauge title. Their victory streak closed with a .410 bore win, underscoring the breadth of their skill set. The back-and-forth between the two teams captured what skeet shooting at its best looks like: family members competing fiercely yet respectfully, raising the overall standard through rivalry. For spectators and fellow shooters, the Kentucky State Skeet Shoot was more than a competitionit was a cultural gathering point. The echoes of shots fired were layered with history, community ties, and the shared understanding that mastery of the shotgun is as much about discipline and patience as it is about instinct. Each event demonstrated the tightrope balance of tradition and innovation that sustains gun culture in Kentucky: reverence for past champions alongside the hunger of a younger generation eager to carve their own names into the sports narrative. The 2025 edition of the shoot sends a strong signal to the broader firearms community. In an era when many shooting sports are competing for visibility and participation, Calvert Citys success shows that sustained investment in training, mentorship, and club culture pays off. From the camaraderie of local leagues to the high-stakes tension of state competition, skeet continues to anchor rural and regional identities across Kentucky. For competitors, every miss is a reminder of the sports demand for focus; for the community, every win reinforces a cultural bond passed down through families.