What a shot, Master John
18-year-old John Whatley became the first member of EDPC to be classified as a Master.
Ermelo Defensive Pistol Club (EDPC) held its first classifier shoot of the year on Saturday, 16 January with 22 members taking part.
It turned out to be a memorable day of shooting when 18-year-old John Whatley became the first member of EDPC to be classified as a Master.
A Master classification is the highest ranking in the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA).
Classifier shoots are held twice a year and consist of time trials during which shooters must obtain a set score within a certain time limit.
To be classified as a Master, a competitor is required to complete the task in a total time of less than 91 seconds.
This designation is a much sought-after classification that only very few are able to achieve.
Shooting with his trusty Glock 34 pistol in the SSP division, John achieved a time of 85.08 seconds which puts him in a class above many seasoned shooters, many of whom normally post an average time of 140 seconds.
News of John’s achievement has spread nationally and even internationally in sport and shooting circles, with Joyce Wilkinson of the IDPA in the USA congratulating him on his remarkable achievement.
At his tender age, John is already a “seasoned pro”, having shot his first buck when he was two months short of his sixth birthday.
He has competed in school shooting teams since he was 12 and has been a member of the IDPA since joining the EDPC four years ago.
The EDPC exco and all EDPC members extend their heartiest congratulations to John on becoming the first Master shooter at the club.
