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Prize money ideas? (AOA sponsoring the Southwest Airgunners June event!!!)

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Franklink

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Sep 3, 2017
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AZ, United States
Generally...

With the growing trend of prize money being awarded at competitive airgun events, I'd like to see some opinions of how potential competitors view these money "purses."

Specifically...

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In typically generous and supportive Airguns of Arizona fashion, we recently received word from them (AOA) that they want to sponsor the big airgunning weekend we are having in Western, NM the second week of June. One of the events is Extreme Field target, and In the past, as well as this time, their sponsorship of EFT is PRIZE MONEY!!!

THANK YOU! AOA, it is incredible to see how much support you guys have for those of us that love airguns. 

AOA told us to have the match directors decide how to split up the prize money they donated. And the match directors asked me to get some public opinion/input. 

Do potential competitors want to see prize money purses split into a traditional 1st, 2nd, 3rd format? and if so, 60%, 30%, 10%? (or some other breakdown?)

Or all the money goes to the highest score?

Would it be good to use some of the money for other awards to help motivate people to come? Maybe a $20 bill for the person who traveled the furthest? or highest scoring first-time shooter? Or highest scoring youth or female shooters assuming more than one of each?

However the match director's decide to break up the Airguns of Arizona Prize money, anybody coming to the match will be more than happy, as AOA REALLY sweetened the pot!!!

Check here for further details on the event: https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/western-nm-sub-20fpe-silhouette-sub-20fpe-field-target-and-extreme-field-target/?view=all#post-1006110

And please share your thoughts on what you think are cool and interesting ways to reward shooters for their skills, while also potentially motivating new people to come compete and have fun. 






 
PROGRESSIVE POT. 



I suggest have a progressive pot with forced position lanes. You have to ace them and if there is a tie do a paper punch for score at 75yds. If no one wins it gets added to next match and so on. Something to that affect. Opinions????
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I’m not sure about rewarding shooters just because they are good off hand? Not sure what message that sends... make it longer targets with smaller KZ. I like that better. 
 
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I like the suggestion about having something for the "first time shooter". Doesn't have to be something spectacular. Just a little incentive for us, that's all.

Disclosure: Since this will be the first field target shoot I've ever attended, this would appear to be self-serving, however I don't anticipate anything like being the high scoring newbie so don't worry about that. 😳 I might not have my gun back from the shop by then anyway so I may have to hit up one of my friends for a loaner. It's all about the fun for me. No worries.

I'm coming anyway, gun or no gun, I'm in need of some R & R time just like the rest of us...............what better place?
 
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 Yes it IS competition and I'm certain some darn fine shooters but it also is a promotional match. Stick to 100% airgun/stuff as enticements as it's all about airguns?

Personally always have enjoyed the traditional FT awards of printed paper or perhaps plaque. Now the dealer raffles and give away's with everyone involved were a real interest and may do more to promote airgunning than a spot of $.

Mainly everyone needs to have fun. A side event of all shooters using red ryders shooting waving balloons @20 yards is a hoot. Naturally winner keeps the 1 they used and the rest donated for give away free raffle. Good fun for all.

John
 
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PROGRESSIVE POT. 



I suggest have a progressive pot with forced position lanes. You have to ace them and if there is a tie do a paper punch for score at 75yds. If no one wins it gets added to next match and so on. Something to that affect. Opinions????
Click to expand...

I’m not sure about rewarding shooters just because they are good off hand? Not sure what message that sends... make it longer targets with smaller KZ. I like that better.
Click to expand...

Or get better shooting off hand??
 
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In most bigger sporting clays tournaments, there is a Lewis Class Option to sign up for at registration. Usually $10 per person. Final scores will be divided into classes or "blocks"(usually 5 -10 scores per block) from highest to lowest. Winner(and 2nd place in each block, if there are enough people) of each block gets a predetermined percentage of the pot(usually the block with the highest scores gets a higher percentage). It gives a payout chance(some what based on luck) to mid-lower level final scores.
 
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Could also have concurrent classifications to sign up for at registration like Ladies, Youth Shooters(below a certain age, usually 16 or 18). Veteran(above a certain age, usually 55 or 60), Super Veteran(age above Super Veteran, usually 65 or 70). Results in these classifications could be just listed in a separate category or high finishers could be honored with sponser prizes or a pay out. And maybe offer "All American", "All State"(or something like that) points awarded to high finishers.
 
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Well, how about that! Good on AoA.



AoA sponsored a good chunk of the merch at the Carolina Classic which gave us the confidence to award a small amount of prize money. For us, it seemed the best way to give something back to those who attended. 

Certainly the $100 cash prizes we awarded to Divisional First Places didn't change anyones life.

It's possible that it did gain a few more attendees as we got three new signups shortly after it was announced. If so, then it was worth it. I don't think one would ever really know.

If this catches on and grows, we'll probably have to insure that match directing, marshalling, and rules compliment and support the effort. For now, IMHO, it's more symbolic and possibly may advance the skillset of top shooters who compete not for the numeration, but for the 'notoriety' of claiming the purse.

In short, I don't think there's any right answer to your question. You're in the best position to make that decision based on how things pan out with your match attendance.

I'd love to make it, but it's just not possible in the near future.



___KNOBS
 
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I would put a plug in for no prize money. Neat and clean. Just show up, shoot, hang out, and have fun.
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Well we see how that has been working😵 AAFTA has been on life support for awhile now, if it were not for the hard work of a handful of clubs spread around the country you would not know that Field Target existed in this country. This is a shame as FT truly is one of the more fun shooting competitions I have participated in over the years.

I was excited to see the introduction of the Extreme Sports (both Field Target and Benchrest) as a shot of excitement surged through the sport. I think more people have got involved in Airgun competitions because of the advent of these disciplines than anything since the addition of Hunter Class to the US Field Target sport many years ago. The biggest reason for the early success of these Extreme sports is the support of the major airgun sellers (AOA, Utah Airguns and Pyramyd) and the prizes they contribute. If you have not been to one of these competitions you are missing out on a really fun experience. Whether you are competing of spectating it is just a fun place to be and most of these matches feature multiple disciplines so there is usually an opportunity to compete.

As to how the prizes and prize monies should be distributed I think 80% should go to the competitors based on their finishing position and 20% should go into a drawing for the non placing competitors. This gives everyone who competes in the match a chance to win something. I don't know of anyone who would not attend a match because they were awarding nice prizes.

Jim in Sacramento
 
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I'm liking the suggestions of majority to highest placing shooters with some given out as a sort of door prize. I'll pass it on.

I would put a plug in for no prize money. Neat and clean. Just show up, shoot, hang out, and have fun.
Click to expand...

Well we see how that has been working😵 AAFTA has been on life support for awhile now, if it were not for the hard work of a handful of clubs spread around the country you would not know that Field Target existed in this country. This is a shame as FT truly is one of the more fun shooting competitions I have participated in over the years.

I was excited to see the introduction of the Extreme Sports (both Field Target and Benchrest) as a shot of excitement surged through the sport. I think more people have got involved in Airgun competitions because of the advent of these disciplines than anything since the addition of Hunter Class to the US Field Target sport many years ago. The biggest reason for the early success of these Extreme sports is the support of the major airgun sellers (AOA, Utah Airguns and Pyramyd) and the prizes they contribute. If you have not been to one of these competitions you are missing out on a really fun experience. Whether you are competing of spectating it is just a fun place to be and most of these matches feature multiple disciplines so there is usually an opportunity to compete.

As to how the prizes and prize monies should be distributed I think 80% should go to the competitors based on their finishing position and 20% should go into a drawing for the non placing competitors. This gives everyone who competes in the match a chance to win something. I don't know of anyone who would not attend a match because they were awarding nice prizes.

Jim in Sacramento
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Yes, seems to me like it is very hard to recruit new folks to field target, and especially difficult to keep them coming regularly, IF they ever even show up for a first match. 

Jim's comments got me thinking......

My dad was a very talented team roper. Team roping in the late seventies/early 80s had stagnated, kinda like where field target is now. There were diehards that would come to ropings no matter what, but it wasn't the huge thing it is now. What changed? Well the creation of a couple organizations (first was the USTRC and then eventually The World Series of Team Roping).. These two organizations created a golf-like handicap system and assigned ropers a #, based on how they had done at past events. They also started putting large percentages of entry fees back into money pots. Ropings were held throughout the country, throughout the year, and ropers had to qualify by a certain # of high finishes to go to the big yearly finals. So it worked kinda like the Grand Prix system does within airguns right now, but in roping the points earned throughout the year actually mean something. (USTRC used to have their finals in Guthrie, Oklahoma, but the World Series has their finals in Vegas every year). These two organizations are completely separate from the PRCA Pro rodeo circuit. The ranking system where you roped against people of roughly your same skill level, coupled with BIG money pots (fueled by entry fees) created an explosion of interest in team roping. Winners at the World Series finals in Vegas come home with $150,000. THAT is how big it became. Entry fees for the big yearly finals roping are in the $1000 range. That's how they make the prize pot so large. 

So, back to airguns. I don't think there's nearly enough current interest for a # system (again, like handicaps in golf) so I'm not advocating for that. But, I do believe if a large percentage of match fees went back into a money pot, we'd start seeing more interest and excitement about field target matches, and I think that applies to both sub20fpe and the newish Extreme matches. I don't think the qualifying for the yearly finals would be necessary until growth reached a certain point though. But I do think that a very large yearly finals match, with a very large money pot (fueled by high entry fees and perhaps even sponsorship money). I also feel that increasing match fees would help increase the money pot. Most field target guys are shooting rigs worth a couple thousand bucks and can easily afford a $20 or $30 match fee. 15 guys come to a match, @ $30 each that's $450. Say $150 goes to the organizers for target maintenance and the rest goes to winners. Just a small example. 

i understand AOA is attempting to get some sort of Extreme FT grand prix system going. I'd suggest they model it somewhat like the above since it worked so well for roping. And extend it to regular field target as well as Extreme FT. 






 
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Good points Cole, I agree with most of the above. About the only part I don’t recommend is a handicapping system. I’ve seen it in golf and bowling, and it truly opens the door for cheating, especially when $$$ is involved. I’ve seen guys at golf tournaments with a 12 handicap shoot par golf, which is statistically impossible. You could have a budget class like Ben has been discussing which would basically be for “high handicappers” for EFT. I’m hoping both the EFT and EBR type events continue to grow across the Country.
 
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No, I'm also not in support of a handicap system in field target (only if the volume of shooters eventually required it). Was only sharing that detail as it was an eventual part of the whole format that turned team roping into such a successful competitive event. 

The biggest thing field target has going for it is that fact that even somebody with a maximum distance of 20 yards in their backyard can practice and enjoy shooting their airgun and getting better. (maybe not so much for the Extreme FT, but definitely sub 20fpe. 

I think that if something motivated shooting sports people enough to come try out a match or two (cash prizes perhaps?) that we'd see a lot of growth in both varieties of field target.
 
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