The 2026 Dixie Matches and NRA Day ran April 11-12 at Gateway Rifle and Pistol Club in Jacksonville, Florida. The annual National Rifle Association Regional Precision Pistol Championship remains a marquee stop for Florida bullseye shooters and drew 48 competitors this year including military and civilian shooters from nine other states. The weather cooperated for both days.
U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit competitors owned the top of the leaderboard. Greg Markowski of Fortson, Georgia, took the Top Gun honor with 2629-129X, claiming the NRA Regional Championship and the Dixie Match title. Teammate Jason Gregoire of Midland, Georgia, finished second at 2587-107X. Ryan Adams of Ft. Benning, Georgia, rounded out the USAMU sweep in third with 2572-81X.
Class winners followed. Wes Fleming of New Philadelphia, Ohio, led the High Master class with 2566-87X. Seth Innes of Hollywood, Florida, topped the Master class at 2540-74X. Chris Liming of Tampa, Florida, won Expert class with 2525-72X. The combined Sharpshooter and Marksman class went to Sherie Tanner, also Tampa, Florida, with 2476-59X. Jason Young of Green Cove Springs, Florida, won the .22 Caliber Only Aggregate at 2439-37X.
Markowski added Special Category awards for High Service and Open Division to his Top Gun haul. Adams took Metallic Division, while Fleming claimed High Civilian and High Veteran. Nestor Pena of Winter Haven, Florida, won High Senior with 2560-86X. Ed Grove of Pasadena, Maryland, took High Grand Senior at 2536-62X. Tanner won High Women and Liming added High Police.
Eight two-person teams competed in the team aggregate, which combines scores from the .22, Centerfire and .45 team matches. USAMU Gold—Gregoire and Markowski—won overall after posting a score of 1726-70X. Georgia Gold, made up of Robert Fanucci and Chase Turner, took High State Association/Club Team honors at 1694-52X. Rock River Arms, with Adam Kopstein and Pena, won High Open Civilian Team at 1677-45X.
The NRA Distinguished Revolver Match drew 12 shooters. Gregoire won with 283-9X, while Randy Erickson of Jacksonville, Florida, placed second at 279-6X and Markowski took third place with 275-4X. A six-point bronze “Leg” has been recommended to the NRA for Adams, who fired a 270-3X.
The CMP Service Pistol EIC Match had 19 competitors. Markowski won with a 293-14X over Gregoire’s 291-9X. Adams took third at 279-3X. A six-point Bronze “Leg” has been recommended to the CMP for Mark Goodman of St. Petersburg, Florida, who fired a 257-6X.
The CMP .22 Rimfire EIC Match was the largest of the day with 27 shooters. Markowski took the win at 291-12X, edging Gregoire’s 291-8X on X-count. Adams finished third with a 287-7X. An eight-point Silver “Leg” has been recommended to the CMP for Louis Gillaspie of Cataula, Georgia, who fired a 277-4X. Additionally, a six-point Bronze “Leg” has been recommended to the CMP for Lee Fleming of Gloucester Point, Virginia, who posted 271-6X.
A highlight of the awards ceremony was Markowski’s induction as an honorary member of the 2670 Club. NRA Pistol Committee member Kimberly Hobart Fleming presented him with a certificate and letter from the NRA along with a 2670 medallion and pin.
The Dixie Match continues to draw newcomers alongside its regulars. Seven first-time Dixie shooters competed this year, several from Florida and others from as far away as New York.
Ted Carter served as match director. Larry Watkins called the line as chief range officer across both days. Range officers David Poole, Marion Estes and Dennis Faye assisted in keeping the line safe and moving. Randy Erickson chaired the jury. Sue Carter handled chief statistical officer duties with Robert Fanucci assisting on scoring. Competitors offered consistent praise for the Gateway facilities and the professionalism of the staff.
Many of the competitors traveled hundreds of miles to be there. Thanks are owed to the match sponsors—Hornady, Magpul, Swab-its, Mission BBQ, Starline Brass, Clenzoil, Esca Tech, MidwayUSA, NRA and the Florida Sport Shooting Association—along with the Gateway range officers, office staff, webmaster and maintenance crew who made the weekend run. Planning is already underway for the 2027 Dixie Match.
Complete scores and match photos are posted at the Gateway Rifle and Pistol Club website.
Learn more about the Florida Sport Shooting Association.
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