lost one of its greatest enthusiasts with the passing of Ralph Jenkins, who, over the years, had introduced more members, including this writer, into the games of trap and skeet than anyone else, and only failing health prevented him from lending a hand until the end. His death would be followed, eight months later, by the sudden and untimely passing of another past president of the Club. In January of 1969 Wallace Douglas died suddenly of a heart attack, at 46 years of age.
The provincial shoot of 1969 was held on September 27th, with a few casual gunners from both Montague and Summerside showing up to do battle. Arthur Clements of Montague won the skeet with a 49, Harley Ings the trap with 46, while Bill Morrell was high overall with a total of 90. Entry costs for the day were $3.00 per event, and $5.00 if both were shot. Shells were $3.50 a box, or $2.00 if your preference was a box of reloads purchased from the Club.
One thing that relative inactivity had cost Charlottetown gunners was the opportunity to compete in the popular Winchester Claybird Championships, held nationally with big prizes. Five-man teams were selected from across the country to shoot 500 skeet and 500 trap targets, and the Maritimes was one area of selection. In 1969 the eliminations were held at Moncton, and the team selected was Wayne Jones of the host city; Lloyd Mattinson of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia; Glen Dunham of Saint John; and two other Moncton natives, Dr. Eugene Leger and Eric Jones. For their win, each received a set of Winchester presentation shotguns, a 1200 trap grade and a 1400 skeet grade.
Within the decade, trapshooting in Atlantic Canada was also adding a new dimension with the introduction of both Doubles (two targets at once) and Handicap (graduated distances from trap) into registered American Trap Association events, to complement the long-established 16 yd. Singles.
--217--