Marksmen converge for tournament at Pine Tree Pistol Club

By Doug Halberstadt
Sports Columnist

More than 100 of the best marksmen from throughout the Midwest converged on Rockford this past weekend. The Pine Tree Pistol Club hosted the 15th Annual Winter Indoor International Practical Shooting Confederation Tournament.

Men and women from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin brought their handguns and their shooting skills to the indoor range at 5454 S. 11th St. to compete in the two-day event.

Each participant had to test their skills in nine different stages. Each stage was set up differently. Some consisted primarily of stationary targets, while others may have had moving targets, and some featured a combination of both.

The competitors were required to move, negotiate obstacles, run, speed-reload and safely handle their guns through each course as fast as their skills would allow. Contestants were judged on power, speed and accuracy during the tournament by trained on-course range officials.

The shooters ranged in age from 12 all the way up to senior citizen. Thomas Pecora from Monroe, Wis., was the youngest competitor. He was trying to outshoot his dad, who was also entered in the contest. The winners from this weekendís tournament took home cash, trophies and, in the Pecora household, family bragging rights.

In addition to hosting the WIIC Tournament, the Pine Tree Pistol Club offers basic pistol safety classes, bullís eye shooting, a junior rifle club, and on the fourth Sunday of each month they offer open shooting to the public from 1 to 5 p.m. The cost is $10, and a valid F.O.I.D. card is required.

For more information about how to become a member of the club or when their next NRA Basic Pistol Class begins, call (815) 874-7399, or visit them online at www.pinetreepistolclub.com.

The club is also preparing for their Feb. 28 gun show at the Forest Hills Lodge at 1601 W. Lane Road in Loves Park. The show will run from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Adult admission is $5 and children younger than 18 are free when accompanied by an adult.

Doug Halberstadt can be reached via e-mail at Dougster61@aol.com.

From the Feb. 10-16, 2010 issue