Just received this in the IDPA newsletter:
Introducing the
Distinguished Master
In the last 15 years IDPA has watched the talent and skill level involved in the shooting sports steadily increase. Because of this continued trend and at the request of the membership IDPA has decided to add a new classification above our existing Master class. This new classification will be known as Distinguished Master.
The new Distinguished Master class will highlight those members that have made a great personal commitment to reaching the very highest levels of skill and proficiency with a handgun. To reach this level a competitor must have spent considerable time and effort at refining their abilities. As such, the requirements for being inducted into this classification will be very stringent.
The initial inductees to the Distinguished Master class have already proven themselves by their placement at one of the two IDPA National Championship events in the last five years. These members have placed as Division Champion or been within 3 percent of the Division Champions final time. The initial inductees are:
Custom Defensive Pistol: Bob Vogel, Dave Sevigny, David Olhasso, Eric Fusion, Glenn Shelby, Greg Martin, Matt Mink, Tom Yost
Enhanced Service Pistol: Bob Vogel, Donnie Burton, Matt Mink, Rob Leatham, Taran Butler, Todd Jarrett
Stock Service Pistol: Bob Vogel, Dan Burwell, Dave Sevigny, Ernest Langdon, Gordon Carrell, Phil Strader
Enhanced Service Revolver: Jerry Miculek
Stock Service Revolver: Craig Buckland, Curt Nichols, Josh Lentz
Please help us in congratulating these members for their impressive achievement.
The criteria for other inductees will be the same as mentioned above. Any competitor that places as Division Champion or within 3 percent of the Division Champion's final time at either of the two IDPA National Championships will be inducted into the Distinguished Master class. Currently there is no other method of gaining entry into this classification. With input from those people that compete at this level, the decision was made to have the Distinguished Masters compete only for the Division Champion title. For them it will be an all or nothing match, there will be no awards for other placements in this class.
IDPA is currently undergoing a complete review of the classification system with special attention to the times required to make each class. With the finalization of that review we will consider a method for the achievement of Distinguished Master via the shooting of a classification match. At this point, there will be no requirement for shooters classified in any Master Class Division to complete an annual classification.
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