Steel shooting in memory of Ernie
The Extra, Page: 19. Friday, 24 July 2009
Two dozen pistol shooters arrived at the Chester Pass Branch of the Sporting Shooters’ Association on Sunday morning. And while they weren’t shooting “for sheep stations”, they were shooting in memory of long-time club member and passionate shooter Ernie Dechow, who died last year.
“Ernie enjoyed this style of shooting,” club secretary Mark Foster said.
That style of shooting was the practical pistol steel challenge whereby each competitor shoots five rounds of five targets each round in the quickest possible time and at the end of the day, the fastest four of the five rounds are calculated to give each shooter their final time.
Foster said the style of shooting, which is popular in the USA and Europe, was a novelty for Sunday’s participants and it was quick and easy to set up.
Event organiser Chris Ratishausen was pleased with the turnout, which included 25 shooters (of which four were female and one was a junior) from Albany, Mt Barker and Cranbrook. And they came with all styles of weaponry.
“There is the open class in which competitors shoot with fully modified race guns,” Ratishausen said.
“Then there’s the standard gun, the revolver and the 22 small pistol,” he said.
Ratishausen pointed out that while the competition was set up more as a social event, pride was definitely on the line.
“We’re not shooting for sheep stations, but a few of us get pretty competitive,” Ratishausen assured.
Home > Media monitoring > 2009 > Steel shooting in memory of Ernie