Bog Walk, St Catherine — What began as a scorching Sunday at the Tru-Juice complex ended in a shared triumph for a family of sharp-shooters. Ray McMaster stormed through 100 sporting-clay targets to post a commanding 95, while his daughter, Aliana, retained both the Ladies and Junior crowns with a 90. Their twin victories headlined the Rangers Gun Club Sporting Clays Classic on May 4, where more than 130 competitors sweated through a punishing “driving course” layout and humidity that sent many straight to the river to cool down afterward.
Ray’s relentless run
McMaster Sr. announced his intentions early, crushing all six birds on the opening stand and surrendering just five for the rest of the round. Even as scores trickled in, the veteran shot-caller kept expectations in check, noting that several elite marksmen, including 2024 champion Christian Sasso, had yet to post. When the final tally held, Ray’s wary grin broke into a full-blown smile: overall champion, one clear of a trio tied on 93.
“I knew I was on form,” he said. “You never count a win until the last card is up, but today everything clicked.”
Aliana’s measured mastery
Shooting in a separate squad, Aliana mirrored her father’s fast start with a clean opening station. Mid-round hiccups on stands four and five cost her five birds apiece, yet she rallied to run the next five stations perfectly and dropped only five more down the stretch. Her 90 secured a repeat of both the Ladies and Junior titles, reinforcing her reputation for icy focus.
“I chase my own targets, not the leaderboard,” she explained. “The moment fun stops, performance drops—so I keep it fun.”
Family moment
Though father and daughter fired on different squads, the pair reunited for trophy photos that captured a proud, almost stunned, Ray and an exuberant Aliana.
“We’ve shared plenty of podiums,” Ray said, “but wearing the overall crown beside my daughter is something I’ll keep forever.”
Shoot-off drama
With three shooters locked on 93, sudden-death shoot-offs decided the silverware:
- Runner-up: Gregg Chong
- A-Class 1st: Todd Lazarus
- A-Class 2nd: Ian Banks
The beginners’ bracket delivered its own thriller; Krishna Phillips edged Ammon Lalwani after three extra rounds when both ended regulation on 75.
Bonus-station fireworks
Station 4’s “Bonus” challenge—four deceptively tricky birds—proved nearly untouchable. Only Sasso and Lazarus ran it clean, and Lazarus took home a barbecue grill, cooler and knapsack after a two-way shoot-off.
Class winners & promotions
| Class | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| B | Robin Rickhi | 83 |
| C | Zachary Chong | 86 |
| D | Max Williams | 89 |
| E | Rheis McMaster* | 81 |
*Rheis, another member of the McMaster clan, also claimed Sub-Junior honours.
Several shooters earned class promotions on the back of strong totals—further proof of the event’s high standard.
Giving back
A share of the proceeds will support Food For the Poor, aligning the day’s competitive spirit with community impact.
Partners in precision
Lead sponsor: Sterling Asset Management
Gold sponsors: Worthy Park Rum, Stewart’s Auto Sales, STL Solar
Hydration partner: Wisynco, serving Tru-Juice and Wata
Additional backing came from a host of corporate allies.
Under blistering skies and amid stiff competition, the McMasters turned the 2025 Rangers Classic into a family celebration—proof that precision, poise and a dose of pure enjoyment can conquer even the toughest course.
