Host gives championships his best shot
NATIONALLEVEL sporting competitions do not take place in Enfield too often but when they do, you can guarantee the competitors are on target.
About 150 shooters are at Enfield, inland from Oamaru, this week for the New Zealand Clay Target Shooting Association grand prix and national championships, being held on a farm owned by Phil Brown.
The grand prix began on Sunday and the national championships are scheduled to start on Friday.
Mr Brown said that he had jumped at the opportunity to host the championships.
‘‘It’s taken about a year in the planning, so that’s how it came about.’’
Several target traps that launch clay targets into the air are dotted around the property and shooters move from station to station as they progress under the Federation Internationale de Tir Aux Sportives de Chasse system.
The event has attracted shooters from around New Zealand, as well as Australia and New Caledonia.
Despite heavy downpours at the start of the week, Mr Brown said the competition had gone well so far.
‘‘Sunday, the first day, it was really good and then the rain . . . it makes it a lot harder to shoot. Everybody still enjoyed it and there was no wind, which helps set the target flight.’’
Mr Brown, an accomplished clay target shooter who has shot at the top level, was introduced to the sport a few years ago and was instantly hooked.
‘‘I . . . managed to get into New Zealand teams. It’s a really enjoyable sport.’’