Floyd was a founding member of the CTA.

Floyd Nattrass, trapshooter and salesman (1918-2004)

After competing at the Olympics without a coach, he learned a bitter lesson and became a gifted teacher of marksmanship.

By Tom Hawthorn

Special to the Globe and Mail,

Updated Monday January 3rd, 2005

A keen eye for sniping game birds on the family ranch in Alberta led Floyd Nattrass all the way to an Olympic shooting range. A spectacular collapse in the final rounds at the Tokyo Games in 1964, and his own disappointment with his performance, later made him a shooting coach of uncommon insight.

Mr. Nattrass taught several generations of Alberta trap shooters, including up-and-comer Ty Bietz, who is regarded as a future Olympian. The student to have enjoyed the greatest success, however, has been his daughter, Susan Nattrass, who in 1976 became the first woman to compete in trapshooting at the Olympics.

Mr. Nattrass preached a commitment to the basics of the sport, such as how to wield a shotgun. "Bring it up to your face, not the shoulder," he once instructed a reporter from the Calgary Herald. "Don't muscle the gun. The left hand is like holding a fresh egg. The right hand is like holding a rattlesnake by the neck, so it doesn't bite you."

Born and raised in rural Alberta, Floyd Caldwell Nattrass spent his early years on a ranch on which his father operated livery stables. As a boy, Floyd's daily duty was to shoot duck, pheasant or partridge for the family supper table. He also earned spending money by plugging such prairie nuisances as gophers and weasels at 50 cents each.

He hunted elk and other larger game as a young adult, although his reputation was as a scourge of coyotes, whose pelts he sold to build a nest egg for married life.
After joining the RCMP, Mr. Nattrass was posted to New Brunswick as a constable. A Golden Gloves champion in his youth, he taught boxing to fellow Mounties until a bad back led to an early retirement.

Mr. Nattrass became a fruit salesman who moonlighted as a hunting guide. On one such expedition, he struck up a friendship with the president of an Edmonton clothing manufacturer, who hired the guide as a travelling salesman. For many years, Mr. Nattrass sold the blue jeans and other durable work clothes made by GWG, the Great Western Garment Co., and became national sales manager.

It was during another hunting foray that a client suggested the dead-eye shot take up competitive shooting and Mr. Nattrass soon won provincial and national titles. He represented Canada at the world championships three times.
In 1958, Mr. Nattrass won the Sahara Gun Club's annual midwinter trap shoot in Las Vegas by hitting 98 of 100 targets before striking all 25 clay pigeons in a shoot-off against a Kansan and a Californian.

The 1964 Olympic trapshooting competition was held in the Tokyo suburb of
Tokorozawa, where Mr. Nattrass competed without a coach. After six of eight rounds, the Alberta shooter was tied for fourth place, trailing the leader by just three points and in contention for a medal. Then calamity struck. His timing slowed even as he perceived his trigger finger to be too eager and he finished ninth.

Later, the silver medalist from the Soviet Union and a sheik from the United Arab Republic told Mr. Nattrass they had spotted the flaw in his technique, though they felt it improper to tell him during competition. The disappointed shooter made a lifetime commitment to provide coaching -- the lack of which he felt had cost him a medal.

While he grounded his daughter in the fundamentals of the sport, she found her father's intense presence at competitions to be a distraction. He was asked to stay away and, since 1969, her mother has been her coach. Her parents have long been separated.
At the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Ms. Nattrass became the first woman to compete against men at trapshooting. Her lobbying eventually led to women gaining their own shooting events.

Mr. Nattrass continued to give shooting lessons until slowed by ill health earlier this year. He also tinkered with equipment to improve the sport, especially sights. According to the Herald, he owned a patent for a device he called the Super Sighter.

Floyd Nattrass was born in Manyberries, Alta., on Jan. 2, 1918. He died at High River Hospital on Dec. 7, 2004. He was 86. He leaves daughter, Susan Nattrass, a medical researcher in Seattle; sons Brian Nattrass, a lawyer and author from Gibsons, B.C.; and Dr. Gary Nattrass, an orthopedic surgeon in Australia; their mother, Marie; and three grandchildren.

Tom was born on February 18, 1911, and died on November 5, 1978. He was inducted into the OPTA Hall of Fame in June 1982.

Tom served one year as the Ontario Provincial Trapshooting Association President in 1952.

Tom was also a founding director of the Canadian Trapshooting Association (1956) and served as its president from 1956-1960.

Harry A. Willsie borrowed a gun to shoot in the 2002 Grand American Handicap and broke 92 of his 100 targets. It was his last of 43 Grand Americans as he lost a long battle with pancreatic cancer less than five months later.

A life member of the ATA since the late '50s, Harry sponsored the High Canadian trophies at the Grand for decades. He helped introduce plastic cards for entry into tourna¬ments, and a "Continental" style of simulated Olympic trap to the Grand. He also assisted in bringing the Atlantic Provinces into the ATA and the Canadian Trapshooting Association into the Shooting Federation of Canada. An organizer and director of GA and International shoots, Harry introduced dozens of people to the sport, helping to finance both individuals and teams. He was a reg¬ular on radio and TV during the 1960s and '70s, promoting trap¬shooting in Quebec, and he aided Perazzi, Valmet and SKB in gun design and development.

Representing Quebec as the ATA Delegate from 1959-'71, Harry also served as the director of the Canadian Olympic Association, president of the Canadian Trapshooting Association from 1963 to '67, and director of the Provincial Trapshooting Association.

The winner of seven Grand American trophies, Harry collected 26 Quebec provincial championships during his career-five singles, seven doubles, six all-around, five veteran and three senior vet. In Eastern Zone competition, he earned the 1961 doubles crown and the handicap and all-around titles two years later. He was a mem¬ber of the 1964 All-American men's second team and an 18-time member of Quebec's All-Star team.

He represented Canada in trap in the 1964 Olympics and was part of the '68 and '76 skeet teams. He was the coach and manager of the shotgun team in 1980 at an alternate tournament, which was held because of the boycott of the Games in Moscow. The first Canadian to break 100 in doubles, Harry was the 16th in the ATA to accomplish the feat. He was also part of the squad that set the for¬mer doubles record of 490x500, which the group accomplished at the 1963 Eastern Zone Shoot. Harry and Frank Little each carded perfect centuries that day, and the event marked the first time two 100s were registered in twins in the same tournament and on the same squad.

Born in Missouri, Harry moved to Canada in 1953 to work the beginning of privately owned television. During his life, he also worked in public relations, publishing and as a sporting goods wholesaler.

"Harry was proud of everything he won," his wife Cleusa said. "Everything meant so much to him." He traveled to the Arctic on scientific expeditions and took a clay target with him on one of these trips. When he arrived, he shot at the target and declared himself the Arctic's clay target champion.

Rod grew up on a farm in Fillmore, Saskatchewan and first took up the sport of trapshooting at the age of 16. He soon won a provincial junior title in 1970 and went on to compete at various provincial, national and international championships before reaching the apex of his sporting career when he was selected to represent his country in Atlanta at the 1996 Olympics.

Rod finished 19th in the double trap event with a total of 130 points. Rod also represented Canada at the Pan American Games in 1995 and 2003, and won over 20 provincial and national titles in total.

Rod continued to reside near his hometown throughout his life where he owned a grain farm, was active within local recreational hockey teams, and served on the RM of Fillmore council. He was active in trapshooting up until his death from a heart attack in 2021, having most recently won the Canadian Handicap title in 2019. Both of his sons, Schön and Kahl, were also active in trapshooting.

In 2022, Rod was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.

In 1952, at the age of 17, George Genereux won Canada's only gold medal at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland, Canada's first gold medal since 1932. His performance in trap shooting obtained 10 of Canada’s total 30 points during the Games. He had started shooting only five years before, and by the time he was 16, had won three North American championships at an American Trapshooting Association competition in Ohio, and had placed second in the World Championships in Oslo, Norway.

George was named Saskatoon's Citizen of the Year for 1952, and won the Lou Marsh Memorial Trophy as Canada's outstanding athlete.

Just a few years later his sporting career was over. Even before winning his Olympic Gold Medal, he had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, which he had suffered from and fought his whole life.

George Genereux received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Saskatchewan and then studied medicine at McGill University.

He received his Fellowship in Radiology from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1968. Dr Genereux held the position of Professor of Radiology at Royal University Hospital, and published many papers and collaborated on radiology textbooks.

"At the time of his death he was working with three other internationally known specialists on the third and fourth volumes of a study of chest diseases." The same article continued on to say, "Despite his own bad health, Genereux worked to advance the cause of medical knowledge. ‘If you can't help yourself, you should use your God-given talents to help others,’ he said in one interview."

Dr. George Genereux died on April 10, 1989. He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery with his father, Dr. Arthur Genereux, and his mother, Catherine.

Vera Holdsworth (nee Harris) of Calgary passed away peacefully on Tuesday August 13, 2002. Vera had a remarkable life. She was born in Calgary in 1917. She obtained her driver’s license at the age of 12. At the age of 18, she soloed her plane from New York to Calgary, following the railway tracks home. One of her greatest loves was the sport of trapshooting where she met many lifeong friends. She was the Alberta champion 19 times, Canadian ladies champion 13 times, 1959 North American ladies champion and the first woman to qualify for the American women’s and men’s All american teams. She also qualified for the all canadian, all american teams in 1981 competed as a memver of the Canadian Men’s team. Among many other honours, she was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 1989. Memories of Vera will be cherished by her friends and family. Predeceased by parents, George and Mary Harris, brothers, George, Sydney and Bert, husband Joe and loving companion John Mackenzie. Lovingly remembered by daughter Maureen; son Ron; grandsons, Scott and Tom and their mother Christie. Funeral services wil be held at McGinnis and Holloway.

One year at the Canadian Trapshooting Championships in Edmonton, judge Neil Primrose, himself a prominent shooter commented that Vera Holdsworth has won the championship trophy so many times that if she wins it again, we will see that is retired to her.
She won and still has the gorgeous trophy surrounded by numerous others proudly displayed in her trophy room.

An Albertan champion 19 times, (the last time in 1976), Canadian Ladies champion 13 times (last time in 1969), North American Ladies champion in 1959, and the first woman to be on both the Canadian and American Trapshooting teams as well as the All-Canadian and All- American teams are just a few examples of an unparalleled record of this outstanding athlete.

Competing at a time when there was less competition for women, Vera was invited on many occasions to compete with the men. In 1961, the Canadian Men’s Team requested the Canadian Trapshooting Association to allow Vera to compete as the 5th team member. At this meet, the team set a new Canadian record when they shot 498 out of 500 with Vera contributing her share with 99 out of 100.
Awards to Vera have been numerous. In 1954 Vera she was made a life member of the ATA. On the 50th anniversary of the province, she was recognized for distinguished and exceptional public service. In 1972, the province again acknowledged with an acheivement award. During the same year, the Alberta Trapshooting Association, made her a life member.

Inducted into the Alberta Trapshooting Hall of Fame, named All-American five (5) times, Captain of the All-Canada Trap Team, and voted to the Sports Field Magazine Award. All-American Trapshooting Team (one of the most difficult to win) are a few more accolades that she has received.

Throughout her career, she has encouraged and assisted young people to take up the sport. Always enthusiastic she is a wonderful ambassador for Alberta and Canada and the sport of trapshooting.

Frank Opsal was born on November 18, 1928 in Vancouver BC.

When Frank Opsal was young, an uncle took him to the marshes of Lulu Island and taught him how to shoot. By the time he retired some four decades later, Opsal had won over 300 tournaments. He was one of the first Canadians to shoot trap and skeet internationally and his accomplishments paved the way for other competitors.

Opsal was named to “Sports Afield” Canadian all–star team in 1952-54 and 1957, and the American all–star team in 1962. He was a six–time BC skeet champion taking the crown in 1954-55, 1959, 1961-62, and 1967. He was BC trap shooting champion ten times between 1954–72 in singles, high overall, or handicap events. He shot a perfect score (200 x 200) in 1972.

Opsal was on the Pacific International Trap–Shooting Association all–star team seven times between 1955–71. He captained the BC all–star trap and skeet shooting combined team in 1955–56 and 1960–63. Opsal was also a three–time Canadian trapshooting champion winning the singles in 1956 and high overall in 1959 and 1966. He was rated as one of top three shooters fifteen times between 1956–71.

Opsal was a member of the Canadian trap shooting team at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia. Following the Olympics, Opsal’s strong results continued. He was the singles winner at the 1957 Western zone championships. He was a member of the “Hunting and Fishing in Canada” all–star team from 1960-64. In 1961, he was the BC Amateur Trapshooting Association singles and high all–round champion. There, he registered the first perfect score in BC history.

Opsal captained the Canadian team at the 1962 world trap shooting championships in Cairo, Egypt. He was named to the “Rod & Gun in Canada” all–star team in 1966.

Harry A. Willsie borrowed a gun to shoot in the 2002 Grand American Handicap and broke 92 of his 100 targets. It was his last of 43 Grand Americans as he lost a long battle with pancreatic cancer less than five months later.

A life member of the ATA since the late '50s, Harry sponsored the High Canadian trophies at the Grand for decades. He helped introduce plastic cards for entry into tourna¬ments, and a "Continental" style of simulated Olympic trap to the Grand. He also assisted in bringing the Atlantic Provinces into the ATA and the Canadian Trapshooting Association into the Shooting Federation of Canada. An organizer and director of GA and International shoots, Harry introduced dozens of people to the sport, helping to finance both individuals and teams. He was a reg¬ular on radio and TV during the 1960s and '70s, promoting trap¬shooting in Quebec, and he aided Perazzi, Valmet and SKB in gun design and development.

Representing Quebec as the ATA Delegate from 1959-'71, Harry also served as the director of the Canadian Olympic Association, president of the Canadian Trapshooting Association from 1963 to '67, and director of the Provincial Trapshooting Association.

The winner of seven Grand American trophies, Harry collected 26 Quebec provincial championships during his career-five singles, seven doubles, six all-around, five veteran and three senior vet. In Eastern Zone competition, he earned the 1961 doubles crown and the handicap and all-around titles two years later. He was a mem¬ber of the 1964 All-American men's second team and an 18-time member of Quebec's All-Star team.

He represented Canada in trap in the 1964 Olympics and was part of the '68 and '76 skeet teams. He was the coach and manager of the shotgun team in 1980 at an alternate tournament, which was held because of the boycott of the Games in Moscow. The first Canadian to break 100 in doubles, Harry was the 16th in the ATA to accomplish the feat. He was also part of the squad that set the for¬mer doubles record of 490x500, which the group accomplished at the 1963 Eastern Zone Shoot. Harry and Frank Little each carded perfect centuries that day, and the event marked the first time two 100s were registered in twins in the same tournament and on the same squad.

Born in Missouri, Harry moved to Canada in 1953 to work the beginning of privately owned television. During his life, he also worked in public relations, publishing and as a sporting goods wholesaler.

"Harry was proud of everything he won," his wife Cleusa said. "Everything meant so much to him." He traveled to the Arctic on scientific expeditions and took a clay target with him on one of these trips. When he arrived, he shot at the target and declared himself the Arctic's clay target champion.