An entry was made in the history book of trapshooting when Merle Stockdale of Ackley, Iowa, became the first man to be handicapped to the new 26-yard marker. Stockdale won this distinction by winning his event in the recent New Mexico State Shoot. Merle has long been an able distance shooter.

For the past two years, he has walked off with the special $100 cash prize for breaking the most birds from 25 yards at the Grand American. His first year’s award was with a 95 x 100 and last year he split the prize with a tied 94 x 100.

On the afternoon of the second day Stockdale was again in the center of attention when he defeated Arnold Riegger for the Arizona Doubles Championship with a 95 x 100. Riegger was only one bird behind him.

PULL MAGAZINE, April 1955, Page 16

Merle Stockdale is know to be the first on the 27 yard line, now have recorded him as also being the first on the 26 yard line too!