Rootes, a multiple NSW and Australian representative, took out the annual two-day King of the Mount shoot back in February, an event which has proved very popular for the Bathurst Gun Club (BGC).

This year the BGC decided to launch another event, the Bathurst 100 which is a 100 target double barrel format.

Staged in overcast, but pleasant, weather conditions, the Bathurst 100 attracted not only local shooters, but those from Sydney, Central Zone and Goulburn clubs.

In AA grade Rootes, John Finn from Cowra, Dick Piotrowski from Blayney and Karl Wieczorek from Orange all shot excellent scores.

Rootes and Finn were both able to hit all of their targets which placed them into a sudden death shoot-off, to decide the overall winner of the event.

The shoot-off went for a further 40 targets but finally Finn missed and Rootes was able to hit his next target, making him the championship winner.

Rootes won $500 in prize money and a beautifully made up pack of Peter Brock wine, from the Mount Panorama Estate.

After beginning with a group of 16 competitors, A grade had a shoot-off between John Newton from Sydney and Bathurst club member Peter Haley after they tied on 99/100.

Their shoot-off went to 35 targets, Newton the victor as he was able to capitalise on a miss by Haley.

Other locals in this grade who shot well, but were just out of contention on the day were: Peter Colling 97/100; Anthony Dolbel 95/100; Paul Rosconi 95/100; Jeff Hill 94/100 and Michael Harber 93/100.

Locals Laurie Arnold, Glenn Coles and John White also shot well in B grade.

Arnold won the grade by two targets, with a score of 96/100.

New BGC members shooting in their first competition made a great start to the sport in the C grade category.

These included Grady Evans, Darryl Weal, Daniel Finn, Anthony Williams and Adam Hurley.

Grady had the one extra target he needed to win the category, from veteran club member Kevin Elias, who was back shooting, after a long absence.

Paul Cregan, who was one of the major supporters of the shoot, also fared well and finished with a score of 86/100, one target behind Elias.

Veteran High Gun victor Bob Alston and Ladies High Gun winner Christine Lynch, from the Orange club were delighted with their cash and prizes.

The shoot was a huge success and all of the shooters have expressed their desire to return to next year’s event.