Jennifer Knicks - Inducted into the OFDA Hall of Fame on 11/1/2025

Nominated by: Brian "Doc" Hric

Smitty Pohill - Inducted into the OFDA Hall of Fame on 11/1/2025

Nominated by: Brian "Doc" Hric

Howard & Melinda Shingler inducted into the OFDA HOF on 11/1/2025

​Nominated by: Brian "Doc" Hric

Carol started in fast draw in 1979 then in 1990 formed the Shawnee Bandits Fast Draw Club with Duke Bonnett They grew to become one of the biggest OFDA clubs in Ohio.
Most popular Contest were Gene Autry Days in Kenton Ohio it went on for over 12 years. Annie Oakley Days Contest the Bandits did for 30 years and still an active contest today.
Carol held several offices for the OFDAI she was Secretary, Treasurer, and the only woman to hold the office of Chairman.
Always active in planning and organizing contest working the contest. As line officer ran the line, score keeping, white board updating, help tally score sheet points and more.
Always willing to invite people to her home range and explain the fundamentals of fast draw shooting and let them try it out. Helping new shooters with tips and ideas to help them improve.
Always promoting safety during practice and at all contest.

CAROL BONNETT
Carol is the first woman to be voted in as Chairman. She has served the association in the past as secretary, records keeper, and editor of the OFDA/OFTC Bulletin.
Carol and Duke Bonnett have been married over twenty-five years. They are both very dedicated to the sport of Fast Draw. And only want to see it grow and improve. Carol and Duke have been very instrumental to the growth of our sport. They helped Ron and Nola Bretz, do a demonstration at the Urbana Wild West Festival, in 2004, and then in 2005, the Bonnetts and the Shawnee Bandits did another demonstration, which lead us to having a contest there.
Carol has been shooting for twenty-seven years, and says Duke has worked very hard with her to help improve in the sport. He has worked many hours with her, teaching her to ram fan, and then slap. And the most important part, helping her to get her reaction time down. He is her inspiration, and why not, Duke has been shooting for over thirty years. Duke has seen so many things in the sport change. Some good and some bad. Jennifer Knick is also her inspiration, because she has proven that “girls” can shoot as fast as the guys, and has raised the bar for women shooters in Fast Draw.
Carol was introduced to members of the Dayton Blackhawks Fast Draw Club, which is how she met Duke and began shooting. The club use to put on trick shooting shows and walk in parades. When Carol began shooting in 1979, there was only one person on the line. This intimidated Carol, so much, that she actually quit shooting for about ten years. She told me that she was so shy, that it literally made her sick to be on the line alone. During that period, she began showing her German Shepherds. Suddenly she was in front of people, and slowly this built her confidence up. When contests began shooting two people on the line, Carol decided to give Fast Draw another try. And she has been shooting ever since.
Carol has traveled to Pennsylvania, Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky and Arizona, to participate in contests. And of course, her home state of Ohio. Some of the titles she has won have been: 1999 Ohio State Champion, 1999 WFDA Area One Top Gun, and the 2000 Illinois State Champion.
Carol practices once or twice a week, to improve herself in this sport. And Carol has improved. She is one of the top women to beat! Her style is consistent and smooth. She enjoys the sport very much, and loves the people in the Fast Draw. Carol says, everyone is so friendly and always willing to help. Carol feels she has made some great friends in Fast Draw.
Duke and Carol started Jennifer Knick, in the sport they love. Jennifer started out using Carol’s gun and holster. And Carol will tell you it’s no fun to have your own equipment beat you in competition. So that goes to show you, what kind of teachers Carol and Duke are. Because apparently Jennifer listened to everything they said. That girl is fast!
Carol advice to a newcomer to Fast Draw. “It’s a great family sport, and it’s the safest shooting sport in the world.” Her family is very supportive of her interest in Fast Draw. They have always come to cheer her on when she competes at Annie Oakley Days, in Greenville, Ohio.
Carol, Duke, and their Fast Draw Club, the Shawnee Bandits are responsible for hosting several contests. Gene Autry Days, Annie Oakley Days, and now Urbana Wild West Festival. The Shawnee Bandits got their name for the Native American Indian tribe that once lived around Greenville, Ohio.

Rich is a life long Automotive and Firearms enthusiast. A career in the Automotive field, including a stint as a Pro Stock Drag racer. In 2002; Rich met up with another firearms enthusiast and future OFDA-I Hall of Fame inductee by the name of Ron Paul Duning.
Ron invited Rich to attend a Buckeye Ranger Fast Draw practice session and the rest is history.
Rich brought an intensity and goal for perfection mixed with a heightened awareness for total safety to the game. During this time, Rich became a Range Officer and would issue and grade Range Officer exams to prospective candidates. Rich was also one of the long tenured OFDA-I Safety Officers. Rich was instrumental in pushing for and getting passed the adoption of Ballistic Netting for use as back stops replacing the heavy and cumbersome wood back stops previously used. Rich purchased on his own, the first ballistic netting and would set it up a competitions for other shooter to try out. On the Line, no one questioned Rich’s attention to procedures and Safety. As a fellow competitor, if you broke something and Rich had a spare…you got it whether you asked for it or not! As Buckeye Ranger, it was common place for Rich to hand out spare equipment to new members until they could procure their own. If it was a high end expensive brand new gun…you got it. Holsters, shells, wax… did not matter to him. The idea was get you going and get you to stay involved. Public events would find Rich engaging people mostly the youngsters and letting them try out different equipment.
Rich was no stranger to opening is wallet to make purchases that the club needed to keep it going. Tents, Timer, Tables, etc., and then he would donate it as Club Equipment”.  He never asked for a refund.  In 2017 Rich decided to make a retirement move to Texas. Most of the equipment he owned he left to the club. Unfortunately health issues put a damper on his Fast Draw aspirations but he still remains a card carrying member of the OFDA-I and will always be a member of the Buckeye Rangers. His dues are already paid.  

Rich Enneper.
I was delighted to see that Rich won Sportsman of the year, because no one is more deserving of the title. Rich helps out all he can at the matches. Doesn’t matter if he is north or south, Rich helps in setting up, keeping score, timer operator, line judge, and tear down. Rich is definitely one of the great guys in our sport.
The Ennepers have been in Fast Draw for three years. And they are members of the Buckeye Rangers Fast Draw Club. Rich had taken a gun to Gander Mountain, and none other than our own Ron Paul, worked on it. Duning invited the Ennepers to come and try their hand at our sport. They did, and got hooked. They practice once or twice a week with the Rangers.
The first couple of years, we didn’t see much of Rich and Sparky. Rich was busy starting up the Medina Mitsubishi dealership, where he is parts manager. But in 2006, they attended every contest north and south. Except for Alabama, Sparky chose to skip, because his grades were down in school, and he made a promise to Dad, that they would be brought up. He brought them up, but not on the time schedule he had promised. So he chose to stay home. If he is the future of our sport, we will be just fine!
Rich and Sparky enjoy fast draw very much, they feel they have formed some very good friendships. Rich will tell you “everyone is always willing and ready with advise and help”. Rich enjoys watching many of our shooters, Ron Paul Duning, Harry Ballengee, Ron Zimmerman, Jim Yurasek, and the late Phil “Fireball” McNaughton, they are inspirations. Sparky’s inspiration is “John Wayne”. Rich enjoys shooting the wax events, at a close distance, doesn’t like them at long distance, and hates blanks. That may be because of 2004 Northcoast National Gunslingers Championship, hosted by the Buckeye Rangers, Rich lit up the floor, in the blank event. WAY TO GO – RICH!
Sparky loves everything about Fast Draw, and has really improved. He is a natural thumber, but he hates it when he misses. At the 2006 Northern Divisions Year End, in Gibsonburg, he took second place in the Thumbing Championship. I tip my hat to him!
Rich has showed some improvement, but right now he feels it is more important to hit, and that speed will eventually come. He is concentrating on enjoying himself, getting his style down, and spending time with his son. Rich very much wants to learn how to set up the guns for Fast Draw. His other hobbies are archery, golf and motorcycles. Sparky’s hobbies are shooting, and spending time with his friends, and of course, Dad.
What would the Ennepers tell a new shooter? Enjoy the contests, don’t worry about the times, when you first start out, and it can be fairly expensive to start, but is a great investment. Their family and friends are very interested in what they are doing, and want to learn more about it.
Rich and Sparky have not started any new shooters, but have helped as much as possible with the new members of the Buckeye Rangers, Tom, Maren, and Tyler Roberts, Wendy Delisio, Paul Elliot, and Darius Barnes.
When I asked how the Buckeye Rangers got it’s name, Rich was unsure, but Sparky, piped right up with “we are in Ohio, and we are cowboys”!
Sparky was kind enough to take the 50/50 drawing off my hands, at the Annie Oakley Days contest, held in Greenville, Oh, in July of ’06. He has done a terrific job, not only as my replacement, but also for the association. He tells me it’s because he tells everyone, that I’ll hurt him, if he doesn’t do well.
Rich and Philip are real assets to our Association. To you both, I say: I am honored to call you my friends, and am so glad you have joined our family!

To Rich I say, “Congratulations – Sportsman of the Year!
I SALUTE you both!

Phil "FireBall" McNaughton ;  Born February  24, 1945, in Painesville, Ohio died April 29, 2006. He lived his entire life in Chardon Ohio.

-- Phil was a well traveled veteran shooter and true Fast Draw zealot. During his gun fighting career he actively promoted the sport to the public and served in leadership roles for the Ohio Fast Draw Association and the Old Frontiers Thumbers Conference. Phil was quick to offer novice shooters friendly advice, words of encouragement and support. His exuberance and passion for Fast Draw showed on his face and earned him many friends. Sporting his trademark sterling silver with turquoise embellishments and his pair of .45 Colt SA's holstered in his similarly adorned gunfighter double rig it was plain to see he was in his element. Phil along with Ron Paul Duning and William Sajovic was a founding member of the Buckeye Rangers Fast Draw Club and Show Team. The annual North coast Nationals Gunslinger Contest Thumbing event was named "FireBall Phil Classic" in his honor.

PHIL “FIREBALL” MCNAUGHTON
In this issue I am profiling our own Phil “Fireball” McNaughton. I decided on Phil, to honor him for his work in the OFTC. And now that the OFTC is history, Phil will go down as the last chairman.
Phil has been in fast draw for over twenty years. Phil met Ron Paul Duning, when Ron moved up to Cleveland from Greenville. Phil video taped a few of the contests Ron was involved in, and decided that it looked like to much fun, not to give it a try. And he fell in love with the sport. Phil has traveled all over the US and Canada to compete in contests. Truth be told, he has never won a sanctioned contest, but did set an OFTC series record for 5’ –15’ step back @ 14” square in 1982. He won Tom Crawford’s 15’ Blindfold Championship. Phil’s most treasured plaque comes from Gunrunner’s Ranch in 2002, for his work in bringing Eastern and Western Shooters together.
Phil tries to practice at least twice a week, and says there is nothing about the sport he does not like. If he didn’t enjoy himself, he would not be doing it. And as for his inspirations, Phil says, there are just far too many to mention. But feels that the courage of many shooters who have come back from a tragedy or serious injury has truly inspired him. The love and caring from the entire Fast Draw Family, helped encourage him to come back from a serious surgery of his own many years ago.
When Phil was asked if he has ever started a new shooter, his response was, a bunch over the years. Phil would tell a new shooter to “have fun! ……You’re going to meet the nicest bunch of people in the world, as well as the fiercest competitors in the world.” “Always shoot for the personal best, don’t worry about that first place trophy – it will come.”
When I asked Phil how he got his nickname of “Fireball”, he would not tell me, because he said, new shooters may read this. But in the end, I got him to tell me, in his own words, what the story is: and here goes:
Once upon a time, many years ago, I used to draw from a single Blasgen rig – pretty much straight up and down. Well, it seemed that my trigger finger was a tad faster then the rest of my hand, and the result was rather painful, to say the least. After knee surgery (nothing to do with shooting myself in the leg) I designed a pad made up of Kevlar body armor & foam rubber. My then fiancé decided to make it look presentable by covering it in black cloth. At a competition, we were shooting 8’ balloons and I pulled one of my “fast finger” stunts dropping a full load down my holster and into that leg shield. You can imagine the result of burning gunpowder impacting cotton fabric. Denny Tibbens (PA shooter) was hand judging me and when he saw the smoke, he did everything he could to get the pad off my leg, but the Velcro straps held. All I did was brush off the sparks, try to regain my composure and get ready for the next shot. Well, I’ll give you one guess what I did on my very next shot…..YEP. Boom – right down the holster and all those charred edges of cloth went up in smoke to the point where Frank Panarella (Jim Yurasek’s brother in law, another PA shooter) grabbed a fire extinguisher and chased me all over the shooting area. When all the laughter died down, I sheepishly addressed the crowd saying,” Just call me Fireball”. Now, that winter I took a course in silversmithing and my project was a solid silver fireball, which adorned my holster until I switched to my double rig. I sold the single rig, but still have that silver fireball!
Phil has just recently started a new job, at Invisible Fencing, doing after market contact sales, before that he tried his hand at the “repo business”, but being in the wrong neighborhoods, and midnight surveillances got to him. Phil was employed previously by American Society for Metals, in membership sales and marketing for many years.
Phil will tell you that mostly everyone he knows supports his interest and commitment to Fast Draw. He has always been drawn to the Western and Native American culture. He has been taking horse back riding lessons for many years, Mostly Western Pleasure, Trail, Horsemanship.
To Phil, I say Hats Off to you!

Bill was born February 12, 1949, in East Cleveland, Ohio. Known by many names, William, Bill, Wild Bill, Paco Mendoza but mostly as Biag. A nickname he acquired due to his infatuation with a local doughnut and pizza shop called Biagio's.  Bill got involved in Fast Draw in the late 70's when he met up with Ron Paul Duning and Phil McNaughton. 
Together in 1980's  they formed the Buckeye Rangers Fast Draw Club and ShowTeam. They would practice together and travel to Fast Draw events all over the country. Bill and his late wife Carolyn participated and also as actors in Western Shows presented by the Rangers at local theaters and venues. It was during this time that Bill created the character  "Paco Mendoza"  , the fastest gun in all Mexico. Regardless of the venue, Bill, always dressed in the old west outfits.  
Bill  was a friend to all and would give support to any shooter, new or established, share his guns and holsters with any person who could make it fit. Bill was the longtime Treasurer of the Buckeye Rangers. Bill was always a behind the scene intrical part in the success of Buckeye Rangers contests, especially those held outdoors. As owner of Sajovic and Sons Concrete, Bill would store most of the fast draw equipment at his business facility. Then with his business equipment in tow he would prep the grounds where the outdoor contest were to be held to get the surface as firm and level as possible. Many past events were set up completely by Bill while other members were working. One of Bill's favorite events is the World Wide Double guns special title event. This event is part of the annual North Coast Gunslinger Championships contest. Bill was very good at shooting double guns and rarely lost this event. ​

Tony was introduced and got involved in Fast Draw in 2013. A former employee told
Tony about the sport. As a big fan of the Western Movies and TV shows, Tony came to
watch a competition held by the Buckeye Rangers Fast Draw Club and Show Team. One
visit to a practice session and he joined the club and the OFDA-I. He was hooked and it
didn’t take long for him to be a multiple Top Gun winner! Tony has held officer
positions in the Buckeye Rangers including Secretary, Vice- President and President.
After the 2014 competition season, Tony and his dad Fred Wisen offered for lease a
section of their warehouse facility to set up an indoor range. The range is used for
practice sessions and sanctioned contests. As CEO of North American EDM Supplies,
Tony has some spare time during his day and offered to take care of some behind the
scene tasks including but not limited to; procuring awards for contests and booking
hotels. Then Tony was elected to Chairman of the OFDA-I and his role increased.
During his tenure Tony has guided the OFDA-I in a looking forward direction to create a
positive outcome. Ideas and or change requests to the governing rules are dealt with in an
expedient manner.
Under his leadership contests were scaled back to one day rather than two. This cost
cutting change helped reduce contest and travel expenses and time away from home for
contestants.
Other clubs that have had difficulty holding a sanctioned contest, Tony has offered his
facility as a substitute location.
Tony is involved with the Buckeye Rangers and the OFDA-I, with promoting public
awareness of the sport of Fast Draw.

Doc has always been willing to help at all the shoots he attends. He has always helped a shooter who needs it.   There was a time when we shot at Gunny Hall he was our spokesperson for Fast Draw. He, along with the Buckeye Rangers has been involved with doing demonstrations for many years. - Sue Zimmerman

Brian "Doc" Hric is Vice President of the Buckeye Rangers, as well as secretary for the OFDA. As Doc Newbury, he competes and also shares his love of history and the American west with other competitors and spectators. Always willing to help when a gun breaks, coach a new shooter or help with a contest, Doc is always there when needed. He also is the "Best Dressed" at most events due to his love of and collection of period accurate clothing. He holds a number of records in many events.

I found out about the sport of fast draw in 2008 when I took a rifle  to the now defunct Gander Mountain Outdoors for modification. The gunsmith on duty that day was Ron Paul Duning. He had a framed photograph of himself dressed in western wear hanging on the wall. I asked if he was a Cowboy Style shooter and he said Fast Draw and invited me to a practice session. I went and instantaneously was hooked.

In  July of 2012 Fast Draw led me to the sport of  Cowboy Mounted Shooting when as a member of the Buckeye Rangers.  We were invited to a mounted competition to help celebrate the day of the Cowboy and to put on a Fast Draw demonstration for the riders. Ron Paul Duning, Bill Sajovic, Rich Enepper and myself  put on a show. One of the riders wanted to try out fastdraw and I set him up with a holster, gun  and some quick instructions. Afterwards I asked to try his sport and he fixed me up with another rider to try out the sport. I was hooked. I competed in Mounted Shooting for 10 years. 

In fast draw, I think other than induction into the Hall of Fame,  My most memorable moment was the first time in the Open Class, I started shooting in the 3"s after Duke and Carol Bonnett noticed how I was drawing and shooting. They pulled me off to the side and told me to stop what I was doing. They proceeded to help change my approach and method. The rest is history.

 I enjoy interacting with the public at demonstrations and competitions. I like working the crowd, getting their attention and enticing them to join and experience my world, even if it only lasts for a short time. 

I have tried my best to help and promote the sport. From creating and supplying tri-fold pamphlets and colorful business cards that I paid for,  to contacting the local media to come and view what we are all about. I even gave a pamphlet to a State Trooper on a traffic stop. He pulled me over for speeding...when he asked where I was going I told him Annie Oakley Days! I gave him a pamphlet explaining the sport of Fast Draw. He gave me my license back, kept the pamphlet and sent me on my way with a warning. THANK YOU FAST DRAW!