The Handicap Challenge is probably the only competition of its kind whereby literally anybody could win, given the unique handicap system.
The Handicap Challenge 2020
Due to the Royal Berkshire being currently closed, we have had to postpone the Handicap Challenge. As soon as we are open again, the Challenge will continue for all to enjoy, and we will extend its running time past the anticipated 23rd April. Please follow our social media channels or check back here for updates.
The Handicap Challenge is back for 2020 and it is bigger and better than ever!
Commencing on Monday 17th February and running for ten weeks until Thursday 23rd April, this is an Open handicapped 100 target English Sporting Championship with the course built to a “par” score of 94ex-100.
Entrants can enter as a member of the CPSA or they can enter under the Royal Berkshire handicap system meaning that anyone can enjoy taking part in this fun competition. For those that have never entered before, it’s shooting, but with a handicap similar to golf. This ensures a true level playing field with previous winners including a novice of 2 years’ experience and a 76 year old Veteran!
We are delighted to have ISB Browning, Gamebore, Laporte and James Purdey & Sons back on board as sponsors this year and thank these generous brands for their ongoing support of this competition.
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Entrants can compete for the following weekly prizes;
1st place- 250 Gamebore cartridges and £100.00 prize money
2nd place- 250 Gamebore cartridges
3rd place- £50.00 prize money
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We then invite the top scoring entrants over the duration of the competition to join us as our guests for the grand final in May.
Top Gun on the day takes home a Browning shotgun of their choice*
Second Place Gun on the day takes home 500 Gamebore cartridges and £100.00 prize money.
Third Place Gun on the day takes home 250 Gamebore cartridges and £50.00 prize money.
Top Squad of four over the qualifying weeks take home a Laporte trap for their nominated ground as well as 1,000 Gamebore cartridges to share.
Top Side-by-Side Gun over the qualifying weeks takes home a Purdey shooting waistcoat.
*Top Gun is able to select a Browning Shotgun of their choice from the standard production range.
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Entry is priced at £55 or £50 if you shoot the competition along with one or more friends.
Bookings are now open, so do contact us on info@rbss.co.uk or 01491 672900 to book your space. Don’t forget that you can shoot this competition as many times as you like.
1. This is an Open handicapped 100 target English Sporting Championship over a period of eight weeks with the course built to a “par” score of 94ex-100. Standard Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA) rules apply including: no coaching during the competition, hearing and eye protection is mandatory and a maximum 28-gram cartridges only.
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2. The Royal Berkshire is a fibre wad only ground. Please note that plastic wads are banned and may not be used in any instance.
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3. There are no classes. Each competitor that is a member of the CPSA and has shot 500 or more registered sporting targets in the year 30th November 2019 is given a handicap based on two-thirds of their published CPSA average (e.g. if your CPSA average is 70 and the par is 94ex-100, you will receive a handicap of 16 (94 – 70 = 24 x 2/3 = 16). CPSA members who have not shot 500 registered targets in the year to 30th November 2019 or those competitors who are not CPSA members will be given a handicap by RBSS based on performance on the day over 40 targets known only to the organisers. Competitors with RBSS handicaps will not have a set handicap irrespective of the number of entries. At the Final RBSS handicaps will be assessed off 40 of the 100 target new layout. RBSS reserve the right to reassess any competitor’s handicap based on known ability and performance on the day. Any such reassessment of handicap is final without further explanation.
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4. No ‘emergency’ average for the period issued by the CPSA, verbally or in writing, after publication of averages on 1st December 2019, will be accepted. In this instance the RBSS handicap system will be used.
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5. Neither the organisers, the estate landowners nor the tenants or sponsors will accept responsibility for the loss, damage or injury to persons, their property, vehicles or effects (including guns) while at the venue.
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6. Shotguns must be unloaded and kept in sleeves while travelling between stands. When out of the sleeve, the gun – depending on type – must be broken or, in the case of semi-automatics, have the working parts to the rear or show a safety flag. Guns may only be loaded when on the firing point.
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7. While competitors are welcome to enjoy the clubhouse facilities, no-one may enter the shooting ground area unless accompanied by a Royal Berkshire staff member. All competitors will be accompanied by a referee during competition who will complete individual scorecards. The referee’s decision is final.
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8. Anyone wishing to buy shotgun cartridges at the venue must produce their shotgun certificate.
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9. While casual attire is acceptable, bare flesh under skeet vests and camouflage clothing is not. Bad language and abusive behavior will not be tolerated. Please do not put us in the difficult position of having to ask you to leave the venue. RBSS reserve the right to deny entry to this competition without explanation.
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10. Re-entry of the competition is unrestricted. Entrants can participate as many times as they like. Individual’s scores will then be entered onto the master scoreboard and RBSS website.
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11. At the end of each week (each Saturday), regardless of the number of the week’s competitors, there will be a Top Gun prize of £100 plus 250 Gamebore cartridges, a second place prize of 250 Gamebore cartridges and a third place prize of £50 prize money. In any category, the individual who shot the qualifying score earliest in the week will prevail. Please note that the weekly Top Gun prize can only be won a maximum of 2 times by any one individual unless he/she posts a score higher than the highest of their previous 2 winning scores.
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12. The highest scoring individual over the qualifying period with a handicap shooting with a side by side will receive a Shooting Waistcoat courtesy of James Purdey & Sons.
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13. Only squads of 4 shooter, shooting as a team at the same time and in the same squad, can be entered for the “The Laporte Challenge”. The highest combined score of all 4 shooters with handicap will receive a Laporte trap for their nominated shooting ground and 1,000 Gamebore cartridges between them. All squads wishing to be entered to The Laporte Challenge must be declared and registered, as a squad and their nominated ground likewise declared and registered BEFORE shooting commences. Failure to do so will render the squad ineligible for entry to the challenge and no changes will be accepted to either the squad members or the nominated ground or club once shooting has started.
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14. The top 30 CPSA handicapped scores and the top 20 RBSS handicapped scores from the ten weeks of competition (only one score to count) will all be invited as guests of RBSS, Browning, Gamebore, Laporte and Purdey to the Open Final. A new layout will be established for the final and also be shot as a handicapped event on Tuesday 19th May 2020.
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15. The individual who shoots the highest score with a handicap at the Final will receive a Browning shotgun courtesy of International Sports Brands (ISB).
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16. The entry fee is £55 per entry or £50 per entry if shooting with one other person minimum.
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17. Under no circumstances should any prize winner communicate directly with the sponsors about his prize without the express consent of RBSS. No cash alternative is available for any non-cash prize. Non-cash prizes are not transferable.
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18. No full-time employee of RBSS, Browning, Gamebore, Laporte or Purdey is eligible for this competition.
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19. The sponsors and organisers reserve the right to change the rules and prize fund without notice. They also reserve the right to review an individual’s entry and decline an invitation to the final without any written or verbal explanation. Their decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
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20. The rules for the Final will be available to all qualifiers
