THE calibre of competitors was matched by the calibre of weapons at Beaudesert Pistol Club’s John Crowther Memorial ISSF Open competition.
The shoot attracted former State Champions, members of the State Junior Team and local shooters.
Local shooter, Claire Turvey, has been shooting for 31 years and began going to the range with her father when she was only 11.
“Eventually I got bored enough to start shooting rather than sit there doing nothing,” she laughed.
Within a year Claire was on the Junior Teams for her club.
She qualified for the State and National Junior teams, went to the Junior World Cup, World Shooting Championships and Commonwealth Shooting Championships.
Claire also tried out for the Sydney Olympics.
“They took the top two and I was number four – so I didn’t quite make it.”
Shooting at a high competitive level meant training for at least two hours a day, both shooting and fitness and strength shooting.
These days work and family commitments mean Claire shoots at the Allenview range and just enjoys her sport.
Asked if she is aiming to compete in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, Claire thought hard about the question before laughing.
“I’m not that competitive anymore. It is too much work and I don’t think I could fit that amount of training in.”
Claire finished second in the Women’s Three Match Aggregate with Kristy Johns ahead of her by only one point.
A sport for all ages
Former New South Wales State Champion, Fran Poulton also competed over the weekend.
While Fran still shoots across several grades, she has been competing in the Supported classes, along with 83 year old Larry Dunks.
“When you get to 83, your strength is not what it used to be, so being able to have support holding the pistol helps keep people in the sport longer,” said Larry.
For Fran, shooting is like meditation.
“It is a very safe sport, very regulated,” she said.
“I get myself into the zone – you have to really control your breathing and stay very focussed, some people do yoga, for me shooting is meditation.”
Oliver Gray, a member of the State Junior Team, was the only Junior Men’s competitor, but also won the A Grade 25 metre Pistol Men’s class.
The Men’s Five Match Aggregate was won by Joshua Sweeney.
The competition was named for John Crowther, a long term member of Club, who held several positions on the executive committee.
Club Administrator, Garry Willett said John made sure the Club ran an Open Tournament each year.
“His philosophy was that open competitions are vital to promoting ISSF shooting and proving a pathway for talented athletes to grow in competitive experience.”
