Dunfey Bests Teammates Through Windy Conditions to Win Prestigious President’s Rifle Match

By Ashley Brugnone, CMP Writer/Editor

CAMP PERRY, OH – Shifting winds made for an exciting finish to the always-anticipated President’s Rifle Match, fired on July 22 at the National Matches. A group of 1,126 competitive marksmen ascended the firing line at Camp Perry for a chance to become members of the historic President’s Hundred or even receive his or her name engraved on the esteemed President’s Rifle Trophy.

With five members of the Army Marksmanship Unit on the line during the Top 20 final stage, the rest of the team was left cheering them on from the sidelines.

During the match, competitors follow the President’s Rifle Match Course of Fire, consisting of standing, as well as slow and rapid fire prone positions at 200, 300 and 600 yards. First fired in 1903, the event is arguably the most prestigious event offered for individual rifleman during the National Match season.

SSG Brandon Green of the AMU finished in second place in the match, ending with an outstanding score of 388-15x.

Another feat competitors are eager to obtain is becoming a member of the President’s Hundred – reserved for the Top 100 competitors of the match. Marksmen who achieve this triumph receive commemorative medallions and certificates for their accomplishment.

SGT Augustus Dunfey of the AMU fought with focus and determination to win the final and receive his name engraved on the President’s Rifle Trophy.

Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) member SPC Joseph Hall, 28, of Box Springs, GA, led the match going into the top 20 final stage. Having recently switched from International air rifle competition to the highpower service rifle unit in March, Hall showed great skill through his transition, recording an outstanding score of 298-10x.

Though Hall was in the lead at the conclusion of the regular Course of Fire, he still needed to finish ahead of the pack in the famous President’s Rifle top 20 final stage in order to be named the overall winner.

SPC Joseph Hall finished the match in first place during the match before falling to third place overall in the final behind teammates Dunfey and Green. Hall has reason to be proud of his accomplishment, having only been a member of the AMU service rifle team since March.

The final stage compiles the 20 best shooters of the match in a shot-by-shot competition from 600 yards in the prone position. The Top 20 fire single shots in a time limit of 50 seconds. Once time is up, scorekeepers mark the shot on large targets behind the shooters that are visible to the crowd, making the final stage exciting for competitors and spectators alike.

With large targets and single-shot structure, the final stage is designed to be a spectator-friendly event. Many media members, teammates and other guests gather in eager crowds to witness who will become the next champion.

After a hard fought match against brutal wind gusts, AMU member SGT Augustus Dunfey, 30, of Phenix City, AL, arose as the top marksmen in the final stage, recording an impressive score of 96-0x in the difficult conditions to earn a score of 393-14x overall.

“This match is extremely important to me,” he said. “The President’s 100 is one of the most, if not the most, prestigious match of the National Matches, so it’s an honor.”

Nash Neubauer was the High Junior of the event, finishing in sixth place. His first time firing in the match, Neubauer was honored to earn his place in the President’s Hundred. His coach, Bradley Palmer, was there to support his young shooter.

Beginning the final stage in second place, Dunfey remained focused on his target downrange and fired away.

“I was surprised,” he said. “I dropped a point early but I was trying to not pay attention to the score. I was just trying to put one in the middle.”

Next to him along the firing line were five of his AMU teammates. Though they are encouraged to work together as a unit, they are also trained to compete against each other as individuals. The amount of talent on the team allows tough competition training on a daily basis.

Large targets placed on stands behind each shooter displayed the shot-by-shot scores. After each 60-second time period, scorers placed numbered markers on the targets to show where the shot was fired.

“We train hours and hours every day against each other, but (coach) SGT Praslik always tells us to just come out to the firing line, and our biggest competition is our teammates,” explained Dunfey. “Every day we come out here and we try to shoot against ourselves. If we can beat each other, then we can win a match. That’s what I tried to do.”

Nash Neubauer, 20, of Amston, CT, was the High Junior of the match, coming in sixth place overall. His first time firing the President’s Rifle Match, he earned his spot as a member of the esteemed President’s Hundred.

“It’s an honor to be up there with all of the people I’ve looked up to. It’s an amazing feeling,” he said. “I was happy to be able to accomplish what I set out to do.”

MSgt. Julia Carlson of the United States Marine Corps Reserves was the High Woman of the President’s Rifle Match with her score of 381-11x.

His coach, Bradford Palmer, stood behind Neubauer as he watched his young marksman fire alongside some of the best riflemen in the country. As any mentor would react, Palmer was beaming from ear to ear at his junior’s accomplishment.   

“It felt wonderful to see him up on the line. I’m very proud of him,” Palmer said. “We’ve been working hard, and it paid off.”

Richard Zolnowsky earned the High Senior award during the event. He was also the only senior to reach the final stage.

High Senior of the event was Richard Zolnowsky, 62, of Wagner, SD, with a score of 376-14x, including the final stage. Zolnowsky was the only senior to fire in the final stage.  High Woman was MSgt. Julia Carlson, 38, of Provo, UT, with a score of 381-11x. Carlson finished in ninth place overall in the final.

Coming in second place in the match behind Dunfey was SSG Brandon Green, 29, of Box Springs, GA, with a score of 388-15x, followed by Hall, who finished with an overall score of 386-14x.

For more information on the President’s Rifle Match and other National Rifle Matches, visit http://www.thecmp.org/NM/Rifle.htm. Results can be viewed at https://ct.thecmp.org/app/v1/index.php?do=match&task=edit&match=11024. Photos of the match can also be found at cmp1.zenfolio.com/.