Full disclosure. used an AI to generate this, but verified its accuracy
The National Match shooting competition at Sea Girt, New Jersey, has a rich history dating back to 1907. The Sea Girt Rifle and Pistol Club, a prominent shooting range and club in the early 20th century, hosted the National Match competition annually from 1907 to 1912. During this period, the competition attracted top shooters from across the United States and featured a variety of shooting events, including rifle and pistol matches.
The National Match at Sea Girt was a major event that helped establish the National Rifle Association (NRA) as a major force in competitive shooting sports. The competition was sanctioned by the NRA and was considered one of the premier shooting events in the country. The Sea Girt Rifle and Pistol Club’s range was considered one of the best in the country, with facilities for rifle, pistol, and trap shooting.
The National Match competition at Sea Girt was a significant event that drew attention from shooting enthusiasts and competitors alike. The competition was held annually at Sea Girt for six years, with the last event taking place in 1912. During this period, the competition continued to grow in popularity, with top shooters from across the country competing for national titles.
In 1913, the National Match competition was moved from Sea Girt to Camp Perry, Ohio, where it has remained to this day. The move was made to accommodate the growing number of competitors and to provide a more centralized location for the event. Camp Perry, a military base located on the shores of Lake Erie, offered a larger and more suitable range for the competition, and it has since become synonymous with the National Matches. The move marked the beginning of a new era for the National Match competition, and it has continued to thrive at Camp Perry for over a century.
Here is a synopsis of the 1912 NRA National Match report.
"National Match at Sea Girt, N.J.
The National Match was held at Sea Girt, N.J., on September 9-14, 1912. The match was a great success, with 245 competitors entering the various events. The weather was ideal, and the range was in excellent condition.
The rifle match was won by Sergeant L.B. Jarrett, U.S.A., with a score of 498 out of 500. The pistol match was won by Captain J.H. Snook, U.S.A., with a score of 494 out of 500.
The team match was won by the U.S. Army team, with a score of 2,475 out of 2,500. The team consisted of Sergeant L.B. Jarrett, Captain J.H. Snook, and Lieutenant W.S. McNair.
The National Match at Sea Girt was the last to be held at this range, as the NRA has decided to move the match to Camp Perry, Ohio, in 1913. The range at Camp Perry is considered to be one of the best in the country, and it is expected that the match will be even more successful in the future."
Source: NRA Annual Report, 1912, pp. 34-35.
I found some notable notes about the Sea Girt competitions, including famous people and presidents visiting or observing the events
President Theodore Roosevelt: In 1907, President Roosevelt visited the Sea Girt Rifle and Pistol Club to observe the National Match competition. He was a strong supporter of marksmanship and competitive shooting, and his visit helped to raise the profile of the event.
President William Howard Taft: In 1911, President Taft visited the Sea Girt Rifle and Pistol Club to observe the National Match competition. He was a guest of the NRA and was impressed by the skill and sportsmanship of the competitors.
General John J. Pershing: General Pershing, who later became the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I, was a frequent visitor to the Sea Girt Rifle and Pistol Club. He was a strong supporter of marksmanship and competitive shooting, and he often observed the National Match competition.
Sergeant Alvin York: Sergeant York, the famous World War I hero, competed in the National Match at Sea Girt in 1912. He was a skilled marksman and won several awards at the competition.
Captain Harry C. Woodruff: Captain Woodruff, a well-known marksman and shooting instructor, was a frequent competitor at the Sea Girt National Match. He won several awards at the competition and was known for his expertise in rifle and pistol shooting.
Some notable notes about the competitions themselves include:
The 1907 National Match at Sea Girt was the first national-level shooting competition to be held at the range. It was a major success, with over 200 competitors entering the various events.
The 1911 National Match at Sea Girt was notable for the introduction of the “President’s Match,” a new event that was added to the competition. The President’s Match was a 30-shot rifle match that was fired at 200 yards, and it was won by Sergeant L.B. Jarrett, U.S.A.
The 1912 National Match at Sea Girt was the last to be held at the range. The NRA decided to move the competition to Camp Perry, Ohio, in 1913, due to the growing popularity of the event and the need for a larger range.
Sources:
NRA Annual Reports, 1907-1912
The Rifle, Vol. 1, No. 1, 1907
The American Rifleman, Vol. 59, No. 10, 1911
The New York Times, September 10, 1907
The New York Times, September 12, 1911