By John Wood
AFTER weeks of poor weather, the Woods Point Gun Club experienced cold but relatively fine conditions for the annual Bernie Elstrek Memorial shoot.
Beryl and Ross Elstrek were there to remember Bernie, an enthusiastic and happy man who was a long-term member and a great supporter of the club.
The day’s starter, the Eye Opener, saw Don Rhodes and Phillip Desmond share the AA Grade cash prize; the Hoon took A Grade and David Frazer B Grade.
Steven Bedggood was the clear winner of C Grade.
The first event was a 20 target Double Barrel Championship sponsored by Robert and Linda Lay.
Lay and Darren Clarke both shot 25/25 to shoot off for the event with Clarke winning the sash 28/28 and the AA Grade prize.
Mick Ward, 35/36, was 2nd in AA Grade after a shoot off with Ian Findlay, and Rob Bevis.
The Hoon won A Grade, 23/25, Trevor Ewert 2nd, 22/25.
Lay easily took B Grade, 25/25, from John Wood, 23/25, while Bedggood, 22/25 took the C Grade prize from Ron Press 22/27.
The main event was the 30 target Continental Bernie Elstrek Trophy, sponsored by the Elstrek Family, from Handicap marks.
Quite challenging, especially for the back markers.
Peter West was a very pleased outright winner of the trophy with and excellent 28/30 leaving Wood, Ross Elstrek, Don Rhodes, Bevis and Bedggood to fight out the minor placings, Bedggood 2nd, 33/37, Elstrek 3rd,32/37, Wood 4th, 31/37.
Junior shooter Denny Walker and Senior shooter Ron Press shot off for the Front Marker Trophy with Denny winning 27/32.
Well done, Denny!
The day finished with a 20 pair Deauville Doubles Championship with team partners drawn ‘from a hat’ ensuring some interesting team combinations.
Ross Elstrek and Steven Bedggood showed good team spirit to take the Championship sashes with a final score of 18/20.
A shoot off between Team Ward/Wood against Team Clarke/Frazer resulted in Ward/Wood 2nd, 21/25, Clarke/Frazer 3rd, 20/25.
The team of Peter Lang/Phillip Desmond were 4th, 15/20.
This event was generously sponsored by Glen, Shawnti and Abbey Coolahan.
The Bernie Elstrek Overall High Gun was a tie between Ross Elstrek and Darren Clarke on 67/75 with Elstrek graciously conceding the Overall sash to Clarke.
It was a great day with some great results and a fitting trip down memory lane with Bernie.
Beryl Elstrek and John Wood made sure that the troops were well fed and Peter West did a great job of incinerating the barbecue meat.
Trevor Ewert’s Bushies Bakery Pies and other goods complemented lunch and afternoon tea and everyone went home warm and happy.
The next shoot is the President’s Championships on Sunday, 27 November, at 10.30am.
Hope to see you there!
