Meet the Instructors

IDPA Competitor
NRA Handgun Distinguished Expert
Graduate of Clint Smith's Thunder Ranch
Massad Ayoob's Lethal Force Institute
Gila and Marty Hayes' Firearms Acadamy of Seattle

Steve Carstensen lends to the club a life-long interest and in-depth knowledge of firearms operations and safety. His experience includes shotgun and rifle range applications through various levels of handgun training, including the club’s popular NRA Home Firearms Safety and Ladies Pistol Classes.

Steve’s interest in firearms started with his Seattle-area Boy Scout and chivalrous DeMolay upbringing, where he first learned the value and skills of proper firearms procedures. He has maintained the latest in training skills through on-going education provided by the National Rifle Association and the Firearms Academy of Seattle.

An NRA certified Pistol and Self Defense instructor; Steve impressed “the pro’s” in the annual B.I.S.C. versus B.I.P.D. “Shoot Off” competition, where he has placed in the top three competitors, in several categories, each year of the event.

Steve is an avid pilot whom keeps his airborne skills up with leisure flights around the Sound as well as West Coast business travel attending to clients of the business/computer-related consulting business he and “Co-Pilot-in-life” Barb founded. When not behind the “stick” of their Cessna Cardinal, they take “the long slow way” piloting their cutter, “Warmrain” as far as Mexican and Canadian waters!

Steve wants you to, “come and learn the safety and skills every “Sportsperson” should know and guarantees you’ll leave class with a smile on your face”.

NRA Member
NRA Certified Range Safety Officer
NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
NRA Certified Home Firearms Safety Instructor
Trained by Gila and Marty Hayes at the Firearms Academy of Seattle

Steve and Barb often work as a team and are known for their personable no-stress training techniques; teaching courses such as Ladies Pistol (often with Guest Instructor Lt. Chris Jensen of the BIPD) and Youth groups such as the Boy Scouts Merit Badge program. Steve and Barb enjoy bringing novices into the shooting sports as well as working with more experienced shooters to refine their skills and proficiency.

Chief Range Safety Officer at BISC
NRA Certified Range Safety Officer
NRA Certified Instructor for Pistol, Rifle, Basic Shotgun, Home Firearms Safety, and Personal Protection in the Home
NRA Distinguished Expert in smallbore rifle since 1972
Graduate of Firearms Academy of Seattle's Defensive Pistol course
BISC Board Member from 2002 through 2006

I moved to Bainbridge Island in 1999 from New York State and rediscovered the pleasure of a local shooting range, which Rochester, NY, did not offer. Long-range plinking with my father's antique .22 Winchester model 63 led me back to handgun and shotgun shooting, and greater involvement with the Club.

Now I find myself Chief Range Safety Officer, working with a great crew of very well-trained Club members, and having more training than I thought I would ever have, largely thanks to the encouragement of my fellow members. I have an extensive background in small-group education, and enjoy the process of teaching people how they can teach me to be a better marksman.

Shooting is a skill that increases awareness, eye-hand coordination, and precision, just like golf, baseball, or fly-fishing. Learning to shoot well can be both a fulfilling form of individual meditation, and a bonding activity for families. Come join us.

NRA Member
NRA Certified Range Safety Officer
NRA Certified Basic Shotgun Instructor
BISC Trap Chairman
Olympic Interclub League Founder & Chairman
Pacific International Trapshooting Association Member
Amateur Trapshooting Association Member
Olympic Continental League Competitor

Scott got into shooting clay targets in 1989 as a way to spend more time with his Dad and Uncle. Once he started shooting on a regular basis he became more involved in preserving the sport. Scott enjoys teaching beginning trapshooting classes and is an NRA Certified Shotgun Instructor.

NRA Member
NRA Certified Range Safety Officer
NRA Certified instructor in several disciplines including:
            Home Firearms Safety
            Pistol
            Rifle
            Personal Protection in the Home
            Metallic Cartridge and Shotgun Shell Reloading
            Refuse to Be a Victim

Steve is a retired physicist, engineer and manager. He and his wife,
Jan, moved to Bainbridge Island in 1998 after careers in the aerospace
industry. He has also managed a small manufacturing business and had
his own technical consulting business.

Steve has been a member of the Bainbridge Island Sportsmen’s Club for
over 8 years. He is a past club president and is currently vice
president. He has a life-long interest in firearms and has been very
active part of the teaching team at the club.

Bill Philbrook

NRA Member
NRA Certified Range Safety Officer
IDPA Competitor
NRA Certified instructor in several disciplines including:
Pistol
Self Defense

Bill has been a professional educator since 1967, teaching on Bainbridge Island as well as overseas locations such as Athens Greece and Stavanger Norway. Bill’s experience as an educator and his instruction at private schools worldwide for diplomatic and corporate families brings a fresh and robust breadth to the team’s talent.

Bill is also FEMA and Red Cross trained in such diverse responsibilities as Disaster Operations Management, Incident Command and Emergency Response Vehicle Operation. Bill was a major contributor during the response to hurricane Katrina, providing asset procurement, transportation and delivery management as well as infrastructure recovery, public relations and government liaison roles; while coordinating with associated safety and security services.

To request more information, ask questions, or provide feedback regarding the Bainbridge Island Sportsmen's Club’s Firearms Education and Training program, send an email to Classes@BainbridgeSportsmensClub.org

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