IRWIN "IRV" GOSMAN

It is no surprise that Irv Gosman has been selected to be inducted into the New Jersey Trapshooting Hall of Fame for all of his years of dedication, commitment and contributions in keeping Pine Valley Gun Club a viable place to shoot trap in South Jersey.

As a teenager, Irv enjoyed hunting with a shotgun, pursuing small game, ducks and deer, as often as he could. His love for the outdoors lead him to also try bow hunting until an incident occurred that made him reconsider that sport. He was on a stand hunting when an arrow whizzed by him and stuck in the tree next to him, a near miss that sent Irv back to shot gunning.

After years of small game hunting with his father-in-law and brother-in-law it only seemed natural that their love for shooting would ld to trapshooting when the hunting season was closed. Irv's first exposure to trapshooting was at Bam DeRosa's farm in Milmay, New Jersey. It didn't take long for him to realize how much he enjoyed the sport and became a regular at Bam's shooting as frequently as possible.

He first registered targets in 1970 and soon was shooting all over the tri-state area attending state, zone and special shoots like the Jersey Crickets and Westy Hogans. Irv even took his shotgun on vacation and captured the non-resident 16 yard championship in Hawaii in 1972. He has earned trophies during our zone and state shoots and is proud to have won the Herman Liedtka Memorial Trophy last year.

Irv always dedicates himself to whatever he is involved with. In his personal life, he was a teacher, a coach, a husband, a father and a businessman. So it's easy to see how, when elected, to Pine Valley's Board of Directors in September 1973 he dove right in. The 70's were a turbulent and uncertain time for Pine Valley Gun Club. In 1974 the club house mysteriously burnt to the ground; board members did not see eye to eye over such matters as building a new club house and how it would be paid for and what to do about the club help and personnel. Some long time board members resigned and that's when Irv was asked to serve was Secretary of the club in 1975. Irv was elected President in 1976 and with his strong hand guided Pine Valley on a path of recovery. It wasn't easy and Iv along with Dr. Kimler personally guaranteed a mortgage loan to build the present day club house.

During those years of recovery, Irv was always there, along with several fellow board members, to do all chores and repairs needed to keep the club open and available for shooting and fellowship of their members and guests. In October 1987 the dedicated efforts of Irv and a number of other hard working club members were rewarded when the mortgage was burned during a special shoot to commemorate the occasion.

Since May 1976 Irv has continually served as President of Pine Valley Gun Club and when necessary, wore every hat that there was, which earned him the nickname "Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside". Today Pine Valley Gun Club enjoys a reputation as one of the friendliest shooting clubs in the area; due in large measure to the foresight, hard work and perseverance of Irv Gosman as well as the other dedicated club members. He takes much pride in knowing his efforts have made it possible for young and old to continue to enjoy the sport of trapshooting at Pine Valley Gun Club nd the Amateur Trapshooting Association. During that time Irv managed to squeeze in enough time to shoot over 122,400 singles, 29,950 handicap and 4,200 doubles.

Thanks Irv for keeping the traps open at Pine Valley, and keep smoking those targets.

FLORENCE P. MURPJY
1893 - 1968

One of New Jersey's most notable women shooters was Mrs. Joseph S. Murphy, of Freehold, where she lived her entire life. Florence and husband, Joseph, also a well-known trapshooter, owned and operated Murphy's Bar, on South Street in Freehold from the early 1930's. It is believed that the Murphy's were one of the first to obtain a liquor license following the repeal of Prohibition. There were also in the soda bottling business before opening their bar. The Murphy family was known for their generosity. During hard times in the 1930's and 40's people often came to the back door of the bar, "Mother Murphy" was always finding something for them to eat.

It is not known exactly when the Murphy's started shooting trap, but after joining the Amateur Trapshooting Association, their first recorded scores appeared in the 1925 Average Book. Only three women participated that year at the New Jersey State Trapshooting Championship, which was held May 23-23, over the Trenton Sportsmen's Association traps at the Trenton Fair Grounds. Mrs. L. R. Piercy, of Jersey City, Lady Champion of the Eastern Zone tournament, would win the State Lady's title. Mrs. Murphy would place third behind Mrs. L. R. Slocum, of Trenton. This was Mrs. Murphy's first major tournament and though she did not fair well, no one could have predicted her future achievements. Undeterred, Mrs. Murphy continued to compete in the State championships each year, only to be beaten by Mrs. Piercy who amassed her sixth state women's title in 1927.

Florence would finally make the record books in 1928 when she was crowned New Jersey State Lady Champion after breaking the high score of 187 of 200 clay targets. This began her record-breaking string of championship titles. She would go on to win the State Women's Singles Title 16-times, capturing her last championship trophy in 1952, at age 59.

At the 1930 Grand American, held in Vandalia, Ohio, Mrs. Murphy out shot all other lady contestants from around the world to win the coveted Women's North American Clay target Championship. In 1932, Florence established a record that remains unbroken to this day. She continues to be the only woman to ever win the State Handicap Championship. Her score in 1932 was the second highest ever shot in this event. t the end of the season, she ranked third in the country among the "High Average Women".

At the '33 Grand American Florence brought home the runner-up trophy in the Women's Clay Target championship. For more than two decades, Mrs. Murphy was highly regarded as New Jersey's best lady shooter. She would be crowned State Lady Singles Champion at six consecutive State Shoots starting in 1933 and ending in 1938. In 1940, she won her 9th State Singles Title and would earn the crown in three consecutive years from 1940-42 and 1947-49. Ladies laurels came her way again in 1952 and 52.

Florence continued traveling to many states, shooting at many of the major tournaments with her husband. She twice was the Westy Hogan's Women's Champion, (1935 & 1936). At the 1948 Eastern Zone, she beat out all ladies with her top score of 97 to win the Women's Singles Championship. Joseph and Florence were also involved with the Atlantic Indian organization, often traveling to their annual tournaments.

Mrs. Murphy's shooting career slowed at the close of the 1952 season after competing for more than 25 years. No one really knows just how many trophies she won over those years but one could only hope to achieve a portion of the numerous accomplishments of Mrs. Florence Murphy.

At the time of her death in 1968, Florence registered 32, 750 singles, 10,025 Handicap and 2,048 Doubles targets.

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