Castlemaine Rifle Club members recently contested the ‘Tom and Alby Cups’. The shoot honours two of rifle shooting’s champions, Alby Jackson and Tom Holinger. Both commenced shooting at Williamstown Rifle Range, but after the closure of the range, Tom and Alby, along with other members of the Melbourne Rifle Club moved to Castlemaine. They introduced 300 metre shooting to Castlemaine. It is a very unique event as it is shot over 300 yards, then 300 metres with 10 shots to count at each distance. There is a perpetual trophy for ‘Target Fire’ and two for ‘F Class’ with the winners receiving medallions.
The day was very well attended with shooters from the Bendigo and South Bendigo Rifle Clubs participating.
At the first range 300 yards, Chris Jolme and Richard Ruddick both scored 45.2 in Target Rifle. Greg Brown led in F Class with 59.2 from Glenda Keel with 54.2. Tony Skinner had the best score in F Open being 57.5, ahead of Mick Goritchan with 57.2. For the visitors, John Keifer from Bendigo Rifle Club shot the only ‘possible’ for the day being 50.6.
Moving back about 30 yards to the 300 metre mark conditions were similar to 300 yards. In Target Rifle Richard Ruddick shot 96.1 to lead Phil Smith 98.5 followed by James Dolphin with 96.2. Tony Skinner again led in F Open with 99.6, followed by Mick Goritchan with 98.5. Rod Mahon from South Bendigo also shot a very good 99.6 in F Open.
To determine the winners handicaps were added to the day’s scores. In Target Rifle the winner was Richard Ruddick from Phil Smith with Chris Jolme third. The scores were exceptionally close in F Class! Greg Brown was the winner from James Dolphin and Glenda Keel. Only small percentages separated the three shooters with Greg winning for the second year in a row.
It was a great day of competition and a fitting tribute to two gentleman who contributed so much to the shooting movement.