Shotgun dead-eye Phil Studholme has given the Bodkin Shield - shooting's Ranfurly Shield equivalent - pride of place in his Wanaka home this week.
Studholme led a six-member team to a home victory at the Wanaka Gun Club grounds on Saturday, when it won the coveted symbol of Central Otago shooting supremacy for only the second time in the shield's 81-year history.
It has been a long time between shield-winning drinks for Studholme, who was part of the Wanaka Gun Club's only other successful team in 1975.
"It's an absolutely huge thrill to win it. I was 21 years old the first time around and it's a big moment to win it again after many years trying," Studholme said yesterday.
The top Wanaka Gun Club team of Studholme, Jerry Cray, Gus Bissett, Denis Nyhon, club president Rex Smart, and life member Ray Anderson scored 89 shots out of a possible 90 to hoist the shield aloft.
The six shooters have 15 shots to hit 15 clay targets from a distance of 15m in the annual competition.
The Wanaka team won by a single point from a team representing the Darfield Gun Club.
Smart said the Bodkin Shield was "legendary" within the shooting community.
Hitting 15 targets from 15m was relatively routine for most practised shooters but the Bodkin Shield's "blowtorch of competition" could disrupt even the big guns, he said.
While home advantage had played a part in Saturday's win, it had also meant there were more distractions at hand for the Wanaka competitors as they hosted the 30 teams taking part.
Winning the shield again, after finishing second and third several times during the past 35 years, was a huge achievement for the club, Smart said.
"We're working hard to foster a real culture at the club and this win is a big bonus," he said.