A-MEN! That's my main purpose for going! In my opinion folks that don't shoot tournaments are missing out on a great opportunity to meet others with the same passion. Most of the folks that shoot know they don't have a chance of placing, and don't care--that's not why they came. I get lucky here and there (shoot at enough different ones, bound to place sooner or later), but I go to relax, talk, and play. I entertained the thought of trying to seriously compete a few times, but I worry that it will take the fun out of it for me--no thanks!

Got a fellow to go to a couple of the bigger tournaments with me this year--before the first one was half over, he told me "Man, I wish I'd started doing this years ago!". He wasn't going because he felt he wasn't "good enough". He's relatively new to trad, going on his second or third year, but he's doing fine. He got past worrying about how he'd look on the course, found out that on his worst day he's still not the worst shot out there, and saw how much fun it is!

Sad thing around here is all the local clubs have shut down. Not too many years ago we'd have to decide which shoot we wanted to go to on a given weekend, sometimes we could shoot one on Sat. and another on Sunday, never had to travel too far to find a club.

Now it takes me 2 1/2 hours to get to the place I call my "home" club (I'm in MS, this club is in TN). Don't know of any shoots I can get to in less than 2 hours, and it doesn't look like it's going to get any better, which brings me to another point.....

If you have a local archery club, SUPPORT IT!!!! I don't mean just pay your dues, wear the t-shirt, and show up for a tournament--help out! Help set targets, help pull targets, give the guy at the registration desk a break--any little thing will help. One reason some clubs close is you have a few guys trying to do everything for a long time and they burn out. A little help goes a long way, especially when lots of folks will put in some time. It doesn't matter if you are the only stick shooter there, at least you have a club and that gives you a chance to convert others, or for others with the same interests to find it. When you have no club at all, it stinks! Believe me, I know!

Ok, I'll get off my soapbox.......

Oh yeah--congrats on the years of great shooting and supporting the sport Art!

Chad