The purpose of the “Shooter Spotlight” is to help shooters get to know their fellow competitors a little bit better. We cover a wide range of shooters from “Marksman to Master.” This is the 23rd interview in the series.
Where do you call home?
Although a native of West Haven, Connecticut, I have called New Hampshire home since 1978. I have lived at my current home in Windham, New Hampshire since 1996.
How long have you been shooting?
I am now 60 and I began shooting at age 14 when I joined the West Haven Jr. Rifle and Pistol Club, which at that time had its shooting range located in the basement of one of the junior high schools in West Haven. (What is the likelihood of that happening today!)
How did you get involved in shooting competitively?
I got involved in competitive shooting when I was a junior in high school. I joined the Jack Lacy Junior Rifle Club in New Haven and began shooting on the team coached by Colonel Joseph McQuade and his son, Frank McQuade. With the exception of the time I was in law school, I have stayed with shooting with some regularity ever since, although from after law school until about 2002, I pretty much limited my shooting to indoor league matches during the winter months. Since 2002, I have been more active in shooting in tournaments both indoors and outdoors.
What is a little known fact about yourself that your fellow competitors might not know?
I first attended Camp Perry as a high school senior in 1967, which was the last year the matches were run by the Army. I attended again in 1968, then in 1979, and then not again until 2002 (and every year since).
What do you consider your finest shooting achievement?
Unquestionably, my best shooting achievement was the 1600 I shot on the any sight day of the 2008 fall regional match at Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Unfortunately, I have yet to shoot another 1600.
What is your favorite pre-match meal?
I generally have to drive a fairly long distance to attend matches, so I will usually have a bagel and coffee at the outset of my journey and will not then eat again (if at all) until lunch time. I usually will drink plenty of water during the day, however.
What is your favorite post-match drink?
My favorite post match drink is a cold beer, which I usually have to wait for until I get home.
Do you have a favorite shooting range?
I would say that, on balance, I probably enjoy shooting at Camp Perry more than any other range.
Do you have any short term and/or long term goals?
My goal right now is to try to recover my ability to shoot decent standing scores, especially with iron sights. I am afraid, however, that between some back problems and just generally getting older, this may be easier said than done.?
What shooting skill are you currently focusing your energy on?
Se #9 above.
Thanks Bob for sharing a little bit about yourself with the pronematch.com community!
