Veterans Games sash for Singleton shooter
BY ALEX TIGANI
Singleton shooter Bruce Smith has climbed the mountain.
After almost a decade of success at the Veterans Games the 73-year-old was finally able to claim the overall winner sash when competing at the Wagga Wagga Gun Club last month.
“It was a very bad day where it was windy, raining and in the end I shot 221 out of 225 and the nearest was five or six shots behind me so I won this without shooting off,” Smith told The Hunter River Times.
Born in Cessnock, Smith commenced his shooting career in 1971 and went on to claim two state titles in the 1987 and 1988.
By 2015 he started a run of Veterans Games’ gold medals in the triple as he went up the age groups from 61-65 to 66-70 and 71-75.
Yet it wasn’t until the 22nd edition of the event, held from April 15-19, that he was able to capture the sash given to the highest points scorer across all age groups.
He already hopes to go back-to-back in 2024.
“I’m going back next year,” he confirmed.
“All the blokes ran around and laughed we are not going to be in your group next year, they are all heading up to the 76-80 age category.
“I’m still confident in my shooting.”
Next year will also mark ten years since he purchased his competition gun from the Valsesia valley in Northern Italy.
Fitted with walnut wood, the Perazzi MXS has been his good luck charm ever since.
He now hopes to continue to grow the Camel Hill Gun Club which currently has 46 members including eight juniors.
“We are trying to get juniors and we have a junior get together each year,” he concluded.
“Hopefully we can spread the word of mouth.”