Greetings Fellow Archers
By the time you receive this issue the tournament season will be upon us.  There are a few indoor events set at the time of the writing (see below) and several more that are still in the planning stages.

Our outdoor schedule is coming together pretty good, but will still have a few host sites to finalize and there is room in the schedule for a few more State level events if we can find tournament organizers that are interested in taking them on.  We would like to see at least one State level tournament (target and 3D) in each of the eleven States, but we can't run them all!  To fill the schedule we are willing to sanction a limited number of events during the season as qualifiers for the annual championship.  Along with the usual sanctioning advantages we offer "first right of refusal" for the same event the following season.  The ultimate goal is an annual tournament tour comprising 35-50 events throughout the region that will bring qualification opportunities to all the archers in the region fairly close to home.  For more information on sanctioning, or available dates, please phone me at the NETAA office (or e-mail NETAA@netscape.net).

ANNUAL MEETING NOTES:
At each annual Championship we set aside approximately an hour for the annual NETAA membership meeting.  During this meeting we give the members a chance to voice opinions and vote on issues concerning the organization and tournament tour for the coming year.  The '99 meeting was a very productive one.  Following is a summary of issues discussed and actions taken:

• Marked versus Unmarked 3D Courses- It was voted to make last year's temporary action to have all 3D courses shot at market distances permanent, therefore, until/unless the membership votes otherwise, all future 3D competitions will be shot at known distances.
• Maximum Distances- After much discussion it was voted to leave the maximum Distance (3D) at 50 yards.  The green stakes however will be set at a maximum of 40 yards.
• Rules Committees- A motion was made (and passed) to form two committees for the purpose of putting together a complete set of rules for both 3D and target games. While we have had rules in the past they have never been completely documented and made available to all members.  The goal is to develop complete sets of rules for each category of games and submit them for approval and publishing.  George Ferrell accepted the position of 3D Committee Chairman and Tom Toomey accepted the Target Committee Chairmanship.  Both selected four other archers to serve on their committee and committed to get the first draft to the office by January.
• Range Finders- A motion was made to ban the use of range finders on 3D courses. After much discussion it was voted down.
•  Marked Targets- A motion was made that host sites do a better job of marking targets, especially when two targets are to be shot from the same stake.  Every attempt will be made to accomplish this.
• Pro/Semi Pro Division- We will not recognize either a Pro or Semi Pro Division in the immediate future.  The money Division was established to give these archers a place at NETAA events while also providing an opportunity for "open" shooters to compete for money without turning "Pro".  The membership felt a concern that many Pro shooters are competing in the open division and it was therefore voted to incorporate the following rule: "Any archer competing as a Pro or Semi Pro in any organized archery tournament event, or holding Pro or Semi Pro membership status in any archery organization, during a calendar year shall compete in the Money division at any NETAA event during that year.*
• Money Division Championship- A suggestion was made that all competitors in the money division at the annual Championship (540 Round) should shoot the same line to avoid any possible advantage/disadvantage that the weather might provide.  All money division competitors were present and unanimously supported the idea.

INDOOR EVENTS:
Eastern New York Indoor Championship (450)- Feb. 26-28:  Albany Shooters Archery, 345 Watervliet Shaker Road, Watervliet, NY 12189.   Shooters fees: $15.00 adult, $10.00 child.  Call shoot coordinator, Theresa Rougie (518-782-9112) for line times and registration information.

Mass State Indoor Championship (450)- Feb. 19-20:  TePee Archers, Rt 27, Acton, MA: Registration information available through NETAA office.

OUTDOOR EVENTS:
New England Triple Crown (3D)- This is the fifth year for this mini tour and the third season that all three host sites have remained the same.  All three host clubs do a great job and this is a tour that no serious archer in New England should miss.

• 1st Leg- April 22-23- Sportsman's Inc., Brattleboro, Vermont.
• 2nd Leg- May 20-21- Monadnock Rod & Gun, Jaffery, New Hampshire
• 3rd Leg- June 24-25 - Norwich Archery, Norwich, Conn.

1st Leg- May 6-7- Ti-Yogi Bowmen, Kingston, New York
2nd Leg- June 10-11- Gilbertsville Rod & Gun, Gilbertsville, New York
3rd Leg- July 15-16: Archery Connection, Middleburg, New York

Southern Triple Crown (3D)- This will be the first season for this mini tour.  It has been our plan from the start to set up and run three triple crown mini tours in the North East to bring the NETAA tournament tour close to all serious archers in the region.  Because we don't want to force any archer to travel huge distances between legs to finish any mini tour, we have kept all three tours in the more populated eastern portions of the region.  We still have two host sites to nail down at the time this column goes to press.  We hope to find suitable sites in Eastern PA and either Southern New Jersey, Maryland, or Deleware.  If any of our members knows of a good club in those areas, please give the office a call with the contact information.

1st Leg- May 13-14
2nd Leg- June 17-18
3rd Leg- July 22-23:   Lincoln Park Archers, Towaco, New Jersey

NETAA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - August 17-20
Held once again at Archery Connection in Middleburg New York, the 2000 Championship is setting up to be the most exciting NETAA Championship to date!  In addition to the 3D and 540 Championship events we will hold both the Team Championships and Bowhunter Proficiency Rounds again.  The NETAA GRAND CHAMPION will be determined and we'll add a few exciting new events as well.  Qualification is mandatory for all but the Bowhunter Proficiency round, so mark your calendars and make sure you attend at least some of the qualifying events.  We expect there will be more cash prizes, awards, college tuition vouchers, and hunting trips awarded at this year's Championship than ever before.... DON'T MISS OUT!

Good Shooting