Geoff Read clinched success at the recent national championships. Photo Adam Burns Age appears to be no barrier for a Mid Canterbury clay shooting veteran after savouring a memorable weekend last month.

Ashburton’s Geoff Read returned to a familiar setting at the New Zealand DTL Championships in Christchurch as he clinched the Single Rise Championships B Grade.

It comes more than 50 years after he won the overall national title at the same event, which remains a career pinnacle.

Based off a handicap system, Read won the New Zealand Single Rise Championship in 1964.

“That one stands out,” he said.

It was a weekend of milestones for Read, who turns 89 later this month.

The reason he travelled to Christchurch was because he was being inducted into the New Zealand Clay Target Association’s (NZCTA) hall of fame at a dinner presentation later that night.

“I was going up for the presentation and I thought I’d have a shot too,” he said.

“I knew I was in with a chance just like everybody else.”

It was also meant to be an overnight stopoff, as he and his wife embarked in their campervan to Hanmer for a getaway.

His overnight stint turned into a three-day shoot, as he found himself in contention for a championship win.

“I told her she might have to wait a bit.”

The event featured about 368 shooters and Read lined up with competitors nearly 30 years younger than him.

He was the only shooter in his grade by a clean 50/50.

“I’m quite happy to get to 50 at my age.

“I’m not a spring chicken,” he laughed.

After a successful day of shooting, the clay shooting stalwart was the 2020 recipient of the NZCTA Distinguished Service Award.

It is the latest accolade of a golden career which includes championship wins at national and South Island level, alongside four provincial and 72 club titles across several decades.

Read is a life member of both the Ashburton and Methven clay target clubs.

For Read it remains a fairly simple approach, one which continues to bring him further achievements.

“You have to have total concentration and forget about everything else around you.

“If you think about something else when you’re eyeing up the target, you’ll mess it up.

“You don’t go there with a defeatist attitude otherwise you’ll never win anything.”

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian - 6 April 2020