Beginners CAN Win the Burntwood Trophy!

We have a special annual competition in the Newhaven Archery Club. It's called 'The Burntwood' and was set up by Jane Skinner about 5 years ago. The trophy is very different, (see pic) and in addition the winner and runners up get a very cute archer teddy.

The Burntwood Trophy and Archer Ted

What is especially unusual is the match itself and the fact that even a beginner can win it - I'm living proof as I won it myself last year - my first full year of archery (I was very surprised when they called out my name!).

This is because it's a handicap shoot, which means that people with a big handicap but very low score, can leap-frog the more experienced archers with low handicaps and very high scores. But you need to have a handicap registered to win - so you must have shot a few full rounds and logged them with the Records Officer.

The round itself is also unusual. Based on a distance of 30 metres but on 4 different target face sizes - starting with the 40cm, then 60cm, 80cm and finally the big 122cm. Each is 3 dozen arrows, so 12 dozen overall for the round. So it's an all-day shoot. Bring your lunch!

So, to all beginners I say - come along and have a go. You have every chance of leaving with a trophy under your arm and a teddy in your pocket.

I look forward to seeing you there - bring your own refreshments. (All-day match.)

Sunday, 30th September setting up from 08.30 with assembly at 10.00 and sighters at 10.15.
Make sure your wet-weather gear is to hand as only lightning or smog will cancel the event.
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The Joys of Archery Handicaps

The Joys of Archery Handicaps

Today we had our NAC Summer Championships. Not too many of us, sadly, but we enjoyed the day. A complete mix of young/old and all bow types either shot the whole day or came just for the afternoon.

I think there were some people who were VERY surprised to go home with their newly won trophies! It does come as a big surprise when a beginner shoots their very best, but doesn't achieve a very high score - yet is called up as the 1st place winner.

It happened to me last year when I won the Burntwood - a trophy which I must return in 2 weeks' time and try and win it back. However, with the beginners now having registered their handicaps, I will be hard-pressed to do that.

That's the joy (or bane) of the handicap system. It puts everyone on an even playing field, just a few points difference in handicap can result in someone with a lower score leap-frogging everyone else and winning!

That's why we encourage our new beginner members to shoot proper rounds and send their scores in to the Records Officer every time. You can only get a handicap once you have shot at least 3 proper rounds. Well worth doing if it means you may be the next proud (and very surprised) winners of the top awards.

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