CAMP PERRY, Ohio – On May 22, 2021, the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) hosted a Garand/Springfield/Vintage & Modern Military Rifle Match on the electronic targets of Petrarca Range at Camp Perry.

“If I would have known the match was like this, I would have signed up myself!” said one spectator.

Trying something new can be intimidating, but CMP’s recreational-style events, like the GSMM Match, are specially designed to ease interested individuals into the sport. Match patrons are often a mix of seasoned competitors and those just beginning in marksmanship – all coming together to enjoy each other’s company in a common interest and to bask in the nostalgia and enjoyment brought on from a day on the firing line.

Along with comrades on the range who are more than willing to give their own advice, knowledgeable CMP staff members are always on hand to ensure safety on the firing line as well as to answer any questions during GSMM events.

The May GSMM Rifle event at Petrarca hosted 25 competitors throughout the fun-filled day. Here are the top competitors of the match:

Garand: Jeffrey Beierke, 59, of Blissfield, Michigan – 277-3x

Springfield: Andy Welter, 57, of Westerville, Ohio – 262-6x

Modern Military: Scott Whiteman, 57, of Fort Wayne, Indiana – 280-5x

For those who missed the May GSMM Match at Camp Perry, don’t worry! Two more are on the schedule for 2021: June 26 and Sept. 25. And don’t forget the 800 Aggregate event on Camp Perry’s Viale Range, June 26-27!

Find registration and other information about Petrarca’s electronic target system on the CMP website at https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-targets-at-petrarca-range/.

See a complete list of results of the May GSMM on the CMP Competition Tracker page at https://ct.thecmp.org/PetrarcaGSMMay21results.

Photos are available for free download on CMP’s Zenfolio page at https://cmp1.zenfolio.com/p978955862.

Petrarca is also open weekly! Every Monday, by appointment only, guests may use Petrarca during the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., March through June and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. September through November. During the summer months (July through August), Petrarca is open various days/times due to the National Matches. Please check the schedule posted at https://thecmp.org/ranges/cmp-targets-at-petrarca-range/. To make your appointment on the firing line, please call (419) 635-2141, ext. 704.

-- By Ashley Brugnone, CMP Staff Writer

The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearm safety and marksmanship training and to the promotion of marksmanship competition for citizens of the United States. For more information about the CMP and its programs, log onto www.TheCMP.org.