the pros

Ray’s Bio

Ray’s shooting career began quite early in life hunting with his Dad. By 12 years old, a hand-me-down .22 rifle was a constant companion. He began competing in NRA matches in 1991, as a Service Rifle shooter and earned a place on the Michigan Rifle team in 1993 and 1994. He earned his Distinguished Rifleman’s Badge in 1995 and began competing in Long Range and Palma events that year.

Ray has represented the USA as a Captain, Shooter, Coach and/or Adjutant on four Palma teams, two FTR teams, two Australia Match Teams and eight America Match teams. He has been the winning coach on numerous events in Canada and the U.S. over the last decade. His international accomplishments include a Leading the US FTR team to the World Championship in 2017, Gold as coach on the 2013 Rutland team (FTR), Silver medal as a shooter on the 2003 U.S. Palma Team, a Silver medal as coach on the 2015 U.S. Palma Team, three Gold medals as a coach on the 2008, 2014 & 2018 U.S. America Match Teams. The 2014 team set a new record for team aggregate score. He was Captain of the 2016 Gold medal America Match F-Class Team.

In F-Class, he was the FTR individual Silver medalist at the first F-Class Nationals in 2004 and has coached the FTR National Championship Team squad in 2004, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2016, the latter five as part of Team Sinclair.

In ELR, Ray won the 2019 NRA ELR Light Gun National Championship and was the spotter for the silver medalist. In 2022, Ray finished 2nd at the King of 1 Mile and spotted for the winner.

Ray has also served as Treasurer and President of the Midland County Sportsman’s Club and offers training, wind reading, mental management and consulting services for shooters and coaches.