THREE-TIME defending champion Aliana McMaster and defending champion Shaun Barnes are ready to defend their Driftwood Gun Club titles on Sunday at the picturesque Murphy Hill Estate overlooking the town of Ocho Rios.

The Proven David East Memorial Sporting Clays Challenge is to begin at 9:30 am, shotgun start, with over 150 shooters positioned on the 17-station course.

This kicks off the first sporting clays shoot of the year for Jamaica Skeet Club, which has a robust calendar for 2024.

Barnes, the six-time national shotgun champion, will have to battle the likes of four-time national champion Christian Sasso plus nine-time national shotgun champion and current Jamaica Skeet Club President Ian Banks. Also in contention are two-time Driftwood Gun Club champion Craig Simpson, the red-hot Nick Benjamin with multiple wins under his belt in 2023, and the very consistent Ray McMaster, among other outstanding shooters. They will be challenged by several sharpshooting juniors.

The Ladies’ section will also be competitive, with Aliana McMaster expected to be challenged by her mother, many-time national shotgun champion Wendy McMaster, former national shotgun champion Marguerite Harris, and a number of very good lady shooters such as Renee Rickhi, Loriann Harris and others.

The shooters will compete in various classes including A to E, Juniors, Sub-Juniors, Ladies, and Hunters or beginners.

Proceeds from the tournament will be used for Driftwood Gun Club’s charities, which are predominantly geared towards educational support in the Treasure Beach area in the parish of St Elizabeth.

Club President Christina East is happy to have Proven on board for the fourth-consecutive year as major sponsor. She credited David East, who passed away in 2020, with playing a pivotal role in securing Murphy Hill Estate as the home of the club’s annual competition. East was considered to be a visionary club member who only wanted the best for sporting clays in Jamaica, hence the competition is held in his honour.

This year marks 20 years of existence for Driftwood Gun Club.