Bowling pins fly as local marksmen compete at Georgia Southern Shooting Sports Education Center

Newcomers, veterans, and fans lined up at the Shooting Sports Education Center for an exciting night of handgun marksmanship, where bowling pins fell and shell casings flew in an action-packed evening of competition. Presley Lomax came away the top marksman from this round of competition.

Justin Hackle takes aim during the August Bowling Pin Competition at Georgia Southern University’s Shooting Sports Education Center, sending shell casings flying as he works to clear the table of pins before his opponent.Photos by: Chance Lucas

The crack of gunfire and the clatter of falling bowling pins filled Georgia Southern's Shooting Sports Education Center on Tuesday night, Aug. 12, as marksmen from across the area competed in the August Bowling Pin Competition.

The event brought together a full 12-person field, each vying for the fastest times and most accurate shots in the double-elimination tournament.

bowl-pic-2 — Competitors wait for their turn on the firing line during the August Bowling Pin Competition at Georgia Southern University’s Shooting Sports Education Center, keeping a close eye on the fast-paced action.

Competitors lined up in head-to-head matchups, each tasked with knocking five bowling pins completely off the table before their opponent could do the same.

The action was quick, intense and often decided by fractions of a second with every match win pushing shooters deeper into the bracket and every loss sending them into the elimination round for a second chance.

bowl-pic-3 — Winner Presley Lomax, right, and runner-up Aaron Hackle share a congratulatory fist bump following the championship match of the August Bowling Pin Competition at Georgia Southern University’s Shooting Sports Education Center.

Presley Lomax emerged as the night’s top shooter, navigating the winner’s bracket without a loss. His steady aim and consistent speed earned him a spot in the championship round, where he faced off against Aaron Hackle.

Hackle battled his way through the elimination bracket, defeating Ilari Nieminen and Justin Hackle before advancing into the final.

bowl-pic-4 — Aaron Hackle lines up his final shots during the August Bowling Pin Competition at Georgia Southern University’s Shooting Sports Education Center, working to clear the last pins from the table.

The championship match saw both shooters keeping the audience on edge, but Lomax held his momentum from earlier rounds to secure the win and claim first place. Hackle’s second-place finish capped an impressive run of back-to-back wins in the later stages of the competition.

Other notable performances came from Nieminen, who advanced deep into the winner’s bracket before being edged out, and Justin Hackle, whose consistent shooting kept him in contention late into the night.

bowl-pic-5 — A referee watches closely as a competitor lines up his final shot.

These competitions take place twice a month at Georgia Southern University’s Shooting Sports Education Center, offering both newcomers and seasoned marksmen a chance to test their skills in a fast-paced and welcoming environment.

bowl-pic-6 — Jonas Fogh enjoys a lighthearted moment on the range during the Competition at Georgia Southern University’s Shooting Sports Education Center.

The Shooting Sports Education Center offers many programs that give students, community members, and visitors from across the region the opportunity to learn, practice and master the equipment available at the center.

For more information, visit the SSEC website here.