I think competition tends to force repetition and trigger time if your the type to invest in it and WANT to do better. Do the same trigger time and repetition without signing up for the local shoot - you're still likely to be a damned good shooter.
Long way of me saying - competition doesn't hurt but I don't put a ton of stock in a guy just because he also competes. It's not something that makes me respect someone immediately.
I've seen a lot of chitty competitors that remain chitty shots over years because they compete but do nothing else. No practice. A lot of guys saying "I won a tournament" but turns out they're "C" class, not HOA or Master's class. They were just the best "C" class which isn't hitting a ton of targets in the clay games.
PRS/IDPA/USPSA might be different.
