Chad Weatherford of Loris, S.C., returned from Missouri last week with a smile on his face, a big check in his pocket, plenty of outdoor gadgets and goodies and the championship in the 2010 Field and Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge.
The competition was held Sept. 9-12 in Dogwood Canyon Nature Park in Lambe, Mo. It included competition in seven different shooting, fishing and outdoor disciplines, and Weatherford took home the $25,000 first-prize money, a Yamaha ATV and other outdoors-related equipment.
Weatherford earned a spot in the finals at an April 17-18 qualifying event at the Bass Pro Shops in Myrtle Beach.
In the Total Outdoorsman Challenge, participants demonstrate their skills in shotgun, rifle, archery, bass fishing, fly fishing, ATV handling and endurance.
Weatherford, who operates Traditions Archery in Loris and owns an HVAC business, was in a virtual tie for first place with 2-time runner-up Chris Reed of Thompson Station, Tenn., entering the final event, the endurance competition, which includes kayaking. Weatherford pulled ahead of Reed, with defending champion Tom Boatwright of Perdido, Ala., taking third.
Weatherford was the only entrant from South Carolina in the event.
Three competitors from North Carolina were in the 15-man field, with Paul Thompson of Marion the highest finisher in sixth place.
Participants competed over a 3-day period.
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