Woodhaven's Young Guns "Sting" the Competition - by Fred Lutger

Woodhaven’s Young Guns “Sting” the Competition at the 2005 National Wild Turkey Federation Grand National Calling Championships! 

I thought I was seeing gold at Woodhaven Custom Calls booth at last years NWTF Convention and Sport Show, but that image pales in comparison to the 2005 Show!

In 2004 Woodhaven team member Jim Pollard of Heflin, AL brought in the big one. Jim won the 2004 Grand National Calling Championship’s Senior Division for an un-presidented third straight year, setting a new world record with three consecutive wins. 

Jim also was the first runner-up in the Team Challenge Division paired with team member Doug Crabtree. Doug hales from Mansfield, OH.

Doing his share, Kendell Keeton from Wilmington, OH brought in the gold in the Intermediate Division placing 5th. 

Not leaving well enough alone Woodhaven Custom Calls Founder and Owner, Mike Pentecost, over the last couple years, put together the “Sting Team”, his Pro-Staff of callers and advisors. 

Mike Pentecost told me, “I hired Jim Pollard, not for his calling ability but for the type of person Jim is, the way he lives his life. The good person he is, is by far the most important quality I look for.” 

“Most of the team,” Mike continued, “sought us out. I am not a big company, but people have recognized our quality, consistency and integrity is second to none.  The men I chose for the Sting Team posses these standards. Their calling ability comes second to the type of individual they are.” 

“The team didn’t just form, it meshed.” explained  Pentecost. “These members didn’t just want to wear a shirt and be a puppet, they wanted a home and to be a part of a family. They are like brothers. They wanted to be part of something that is real, proud of the company and our product.”

And Mike’s family did good. The Grand National Champion this year was Sting Team member Matt Van Cise. Matt is from Grand Valley, PA.
  

Matt Van Cise	Billy Yargus	Jim Pollard	Doug Crabtree	Shawn Hays

  
And the Sting Team wasn’t done yet. Team member Billy Yargus, Hannibal, MO was 2nd runner up followed by former World Champ and Sting Team member Jim Pollard who finished in the 3rd runner up position. 

Once again Doug Crabtree finished 1st runner up in the Team Challenge competition along with new teammate Billy Yargus. And Shawn Hays and Matt Van Cise finished 3rd runner up.
 

Kendell Keeton	Cory Hoone	Kristin Hays

In the Intermediate Division Kendell Keeton moved last years 5th place finish to this years 1st place runner up position.  And look at the up and coming future champions, Cory Hoone from Smithfield, PA won a 2nd runner up trophy in the Junior Division. Close on Cory’s heels was Kirstin Hays of Atlantic, PA who was 5th place runner up after a tie breaking call off. 

WOODHAVEN STING TEAM: (Back Row) Kindell Keeton, Jim Pollard, Mike Pentecost, Matt Van Cise, Billy Yargas, Doug Crabtree and Shawn Hays. 
(Front Row) Cory Hoone and Kirstin Hays.

I asked Mike to share his thoughts as team members posed for photos at the Woodhaven booth.

“I don’t know what to think. It’s not that we didn’t expect it. (referring to the team’s great accomplishment). It’s exactly what we set out to do. This team is a bunch of individuals who came together and meshed. They critique each other, they strengthen each other and they are tight. This is the fruit of hard work. They possess the talent to win and they all are better people than just callers. That’s why they are on this team. There is more of this to come.” 

Mike, I couldn’t agree with you more. 

To Contact Woodhaven;

Mike Pentecost
Woodhaven Custom Calls
PO Box 7, Heflin, AL 36264
Phone 256-463-5657

TO ORDER Woodhaven Custom Calls click on www.freddiebearsports.com

Keep watching. Woodhaven has a new how to DVD featuring the Sting Team. I’ll do a review on it as soon as time permits. 

~ Fred