CLUB AIMS HIGH FOR GOOD CAUSE
They fired more than 10,000 shotgun shells into the air Saturday and hoped to raise nearly $20,000 for the Stollery Children’s Hospital.
“Our shooters come from every walk of life, from welders to doctors,” said Jack Broadfoot, president of the 125-member Edmonton Gun Club.
“They love developing their skills and the camaraderie at trap shooting, the oldest shotgun shooting sport in North America.
“It’s like tennis or golf. You do well and want to return to do even better. It’s addictive.”
There are other similarities to tennis or golf I discovered at the club’s annual charity shoot on its 27 hectares immediately west of the Edmonton International Airport.
You just know with better equipment — in this case, a shotgun rather than a new racquet or clubs — you could improve significantly.
While some shooters had guns worth a few hundred dollars, Broadfoot reckons a good beginner’s gun runs in the $1,600 range.
“If you want to look good, you could spend as much as $50,000 on a Perazzi shotgun,” he says.
Other people, like my tightfisted self, rationalize that the rudiments of the sport are simple and it’s eye-hand co-ordination that must be perfected.
Trap shooting derives its name from a trap that throws clay targets, or “birds,” into the air.
A variety of shots, angling to the right, left and flying straight away, are presented.
Teams usually have five members and each shooter fires five shots from each of five stations while moving from left to right in a semi-circle.
Broadfoot, a real-estate agent and old friend, was my team captain and was disappointed.
He hit 95 of the 100 targets. But it made him Top Gun, as it were, in Saturday’s competition.
This was good, because apart from 18-year-old Russell Gowan-Mcneil from Airdrie, a few target hits behind Broadfoot, my other two teammates and I had more indifferent days.
I was surprised 13-year old Alexander Rudl, a gun caddy for his deer-, moose- and elk-hunting dad, hit more targets than me.
Construction manager Sam Domes, 30, didn’t do too badly in his first competition. But he had grown up on a farm where on Sunday afternoons they took turns to throw targets in the air.
I came away hitting four of five birds at one of the last stations and knew I had the natural ability to be really good. All I needed to improve my 25 per cent score was a better gun than Broadfoot’s old Beretta I’d borrowed.
I could be in the prizes next year when the club hosts the 2017 national championships.
LIFE IS A FEAST
Latest donations for Wednesday’s Zin on the River auction at the Fairmont Hotel Macdonald include a Saturday night reception for six at the Chateau Lacombe, followed by dinner at the La Ronde revolving restaurant and an overnight stay for all on the Concierge level, with breakfast and parking included.
Chris LaChance of the Century Hospitality group has chipped in an Italian feast for six with wine and grappa at his Parlour Italian Kitchen. It will be hosted by Zin’s presenting sponsor Sam Abouhassan and his wife Angela.
Zin supports CASA, providers of mental health services to youngsters and their families with mental health issues.
Zin tickets are $85 at www.zinontheriver or 780-400-4512.
FAMILY FITNESS FUN
Mayor Don Iveson and I are the co-chairs of the ATB Family ride leaving Churchill Square at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 5. But we expect to be overshadowed at the event before the end of the Tour of Alberta by Oilers captain Andrew Ference, his wife, Krista, and their two children, Ava Tye and Stella.
Kids under 17 ride for free and for those 18 and older, their $25 fee supports CASA.
“There is a choice of out-andback, traffic-free 2.5-kilometre and five-kilometre routes,” says CASA events co-ordinator Ashlee Pearce. “Prizes will be awarded for the most creative costumes and bikes, as well as top fundraisers. We hope to have 1,000 people ride.”
To register, go to www.casafamilyride.org.