Linda Pearson
A Scottish sharpshooter who mastered four distinct clay target disciplines, demonstrating remarkable versatility and precision on the international circuit.
Born 1964 (age 62)·Clay target shooter·Birthday: March 6·Baby Boomers
Biography
Linda Pearson's story is one of quiet, consistent excellence in the niche world of clay target shooting. Hailing from Scotland, she carved out a long career defined not by a single flashy moment, but by her ability to compete at the highest level across multiple shotgun sports. While many shooters specialize, Pearson proved her mastery in Olympic Trap, Double Trap, Universal Trench, and Compak Sporting, representing Great Britain in all four. Her dedication paid off with a bronze medal in Double Trap at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on Australia's Gold Coast, a hard-earned podium finish after years of international competition. Her career serves as a testament to the deep focus and technical adaptability required to excel in a sport where milliseconds and millimeters determine success.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Linda was born in 1964, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Linda Was Born
The biggest hits of 1964
#1 Movie
Mary Poppins
Best Picture
My Fair Lady
#1 TV Show
Bonanza
Linda's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1964Born
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1969Started school
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1977Became a teenager
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1980Could drive
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1982Could vote
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1985Turned 21
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1994Turned 30
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2004Turned 40
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2014Turned 50
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2024Turned 60
AI reshapes industries; Paris Olympics
Gas: $3.31/galHome: $372,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterBest Picture: Anora
2026Age 62 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the bronze medal in the women's double trap event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast.
- Represented Great Britain in four different international clay target disciplines: Olympic Trap, Double Trap, Universal Trench, and Compak Sporting.
- Has been a consistent competitor in World Championships and European Championships across multiple disciplines over many years.
Did You Know?
Clay target shooting is sometimes called 'clay pigeon' shooting, though the targets are made from a pitch and limestone mix.
The different disciplines she competes in require different gun styles, shooting angles, and target speeds.
She is the daughter of famous Scottish shooter James 'Jim' Pearson, who was also a Commonwealth Games medalist.
The 2018 Commonwealth Games bronze was Scotland's first medal in the women's double trap event since 2002.
“A target is either broken or it isn't. There's no almost.”
