Tom Davis
Tom got his first Shorthair in 1961 as a hunting companion and sent it to George Roberts for a summer of training while he was working at Yellowstone Park. Mr. Roberts was a charter member of the NGSPA. While Tom was at college the dog died. After finishing college and starting a teaching job in 1968 it was time for another GSP for hunting. This dog also went out for training and after he got the dog back he started hunting her. She ran off several times the last time she was found by a farmer who eventually bought her. Then Tom found out she was Field Trial bred and a good trial prospect. Three years later, after marriage Tom purchased a pup from Lee Sielkowski, Sr. of Checkmate Kennels. He also had developed a friendship with Bill Wooten one of the founders of the NGSPA. Bill got Tom interested in Field Trials and he started competing in events. Tom second trial was a fun trial where he was awarded a blue ribbon and a dog pan which hooked him into trials. Later he found out everyone got a blue ribbon and a dog pan. The second event was sponsored by the GSPC of Michigan where he met Mario DiMambro and Vince Rizzo a couple of avid field trailers. That blue ribbon was the hook that lead Tom into chasing dog and blue ribbons all over the country.
This obsession has resulted in many accomplishments including:
Finishing a dozen dogs as both Field Champions and Amateur Field Champions.
Has owned dogs that have won National Champions. Dogs such as Tip Top Oliver, Checkmates Quicksilver, Krabby Creeks Grand Illusion, Grand Illusion’s Final Edition, and Cutter’s Last Testement.
His dogs have won or placed in 35 American Field Championships.
He was the first person to have won all three National Amateur Championships open to Shorthairs (the GSPCA National Amateur, the NGSPA National Amateur, and the National German Pointing Dog National Amateur). The only other person to do that is Hall Of Famer Joe Vicari.
Tom was breeder of the 1995 NGSPA futurity winner, Sin City Slick Spot.
Named receipient of two awards for service to the NGSPA.
Tom’s Contributions:
Sent dogs to many dog trainers including Lee Sienkowski, Sr. and Jr., John Steger, Tommy Schwertfeger, Claude Butler, and Dan DiMambro.
Served as Chairman of the NGSPA Region 4 Championships since 1982.
Served as start-up Chairman of the NGSPA Great Lakes and Ohio Championships.
Served as Chairman of the NGSPA Sharptail Championships on many occasions.
Served on the NGSPA Board of Trustees for 9 years during which time he served as Trial Chairman three years and stake manager during the Nationals on several occasions.
Served as President of the NGSPA for two years.
Has served as Field Trial Chairman for the National German Pointing Dog Association for the last five years.
Has judged the National Championship for all three Shorthair organizations.
Served as official reporter for the 2017 NGSPA Invitational Shooting Dog Championships.
Judged Nationals for Weimaraners, Vizslas, and Brittanies.
Has judged AF hour Championships from coast to coast.
Judged at over 100 AKC trials.
Tom has always made himself available and accessible to anyone who needed or asked for help and has tried to be an example by giving back to the sport he loves. His contributions to the sport and breed have spanned over 50 years.