Peter Holmes’ passion for shooting was first ignited as a young boy on his grandparents family farm and has burned brightly ever since. In his own words, clay target shooting was a hobby that sort of almost became an obsession. The Tamworth Clay Target club stalwart was last year honoured for his decades of service, receiving the November Sportsman’s Warehouse Community Sports Award.
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Clay target shooting has provided Peter Holmes a lifetime of enjoyment.
Shooting from an early age on the family farm as a means of pest control, Holmes has been involved with clay target shooting for about 45 years.
And as he put it “enjoyed every year of it”.
“It started off as a hobby and sort of became almost an obsession really,” he said.
The Tamworth Clay Target Club stalwart was recently recognised for his tireless service, receiving a Sportsman’s Warehouse Community Sports Award.
He has served in a variety of roles at the club over his many decades of involvement including president.
Holmes has also been involved in the administration of the club for probably 40 years, and helps organise shoots, prepare the area before and assist with the clean-up afterwards.
More recently he is helping foster a new generation of shooters, mentoring Farrer students in the safe handling and use of firearms and the art of clay target shooting.
“About four years ago one of the staff members came out to the club. As a kid his father used to go out to the gun club. He said I think the boys would enjoy it,” Holmes explained.
Anywhere from six to 12 go out to the range every Wednesday, and for Holmes it has been a great thrill.
“I get a lot of enjoyment out of watching the boys progress from raw novices to pretty handy at the sport,” he said.
Asked what has kept him involved in the sport for so long, he spoke about the camaraderie and the perpetual quest to do better.
“It’s one of those sports where you’re doing two things, you’re competing with the bloke beside you and you’re competing with yourself,” he said.
“You always want to do better.”
“It’s a bit like playing golf. You can always do a better shot.”
