Johnson and dog, Doc, rank as champions at second annual Beaver Creek Plantation Gun Trail

The second annual Beaver Creek Plantation Gun Dog Trial was held at Beaver Creek Plantation in Twin City on Dec. 18 through Dec. 20. Thirty-four entries from surrounding counties qualified for the event. An organizational meeting and dinner were held for all participants on Wednesday evening prior to the event, where each entry drew from a hat their respective brace. Dogs were presented by their handlers during the day on Friday and Saturday. The dogs and their handlers were judged from horseback by Judges Ronnie Nesmith and Adam Marsh. The field marshal was Fred Waters. At the end of the day Friday, the judges called back the following handlers and their dogs for the finals on Sunday afternoon. The family-friendly event began on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the Beaver Creek Lodge with a covered dish lunch. 
The finals started at 2 p.m. with the following handlers and their dogs:
Doc, Davis Johnson of Twin City; Star, Andy Oliver of Statesboro; Tink, Taylor Webb of Twin City; Reba, Brad Riner of Statesboro; Rallo, Jeb Webb of Twin City; Big, Jazlyn Denmark of Vidalia; Patches, Wes Simmons of Statesboro; and Pal, Wayne Laircey of Statesboro.

The three finalists selected were: third place, Rallo handled by Jeb Webb; second place, Star handled by Andy Oliver; and first place and champion, Doc handled by Davis Johnson.
Trophies were presented to the winners with Johnson’s name being placed on the Windell Marsh Memorial Challenge Trophy, which will remain on display at the Beaver Creek Plantation Lodge.
Davis Johnson is the son of Wade and Anna Johnson, brother to Halli Kate Johnson, and grandson of GW and Betsy Johnson and Roger and Joyce Johnson.
The committee appreciates all sponsors of the event and encourages those interested in gun dog trials to plan for next year’s trial event.