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2007 KZN FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Piet Haasbroek The 2007 KZN Field Championships were hosted at the Ascott Inn Bush Lodge, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg on 2 and 3 May 2007 by the Pietermartizburg Archery Club.Out of all the field ranges I have shot at this range must surely be one of the most scenic and by far the most “up market”. The course was set up along the lawn covered banks of the Duzi River and what a pleasure it was to shoot this range with interesting downhill and uphill shots. The weather was absolutely perfect with a slight wind on the second day. The lawn that covered the whole range was neatly trimmed and the shots across scenic water ponds allowed us the pleasant experience of what it is like to compete on an archery range set up to the standard of a modern golf course. The technical aspects of the range were impeccable. All the butts were comfortably wide and very well maintained with no trace of the usual “rotten apples” found at many field shoots such as butts that shoot through or overgrowing branches in the shooting lanes that interfere with arrow flight to the butts (not to mention butts that are not property anchored that fall over and destroy arrows such as was the case at the recent field nationals during which it happened no less than twice). Great care was taken to make the range as arrow friendly as possible, a feature that would certainly appeal to longbow and beginner archers. The distance markers and other markers were professionally and neatly set out. The ablution facilities were clean and easily accessible. Our satisfying experience was neatly rounded off when we all had a warm meal at the restaurant/bar at the lodge (on the premises), where, after the round on Saturday, we all gathered to watch the rugby between South Africa and England.The best performance of the tournament was that of Nico Benade who recorded a 539 and a 535. Nico was impressed with this new range and was of the view that the range is quite tricky with some of the angled shots being very challenging and unforgiving. This shoot was by far the best organized and presented provincial field tournament I have ever attended in South Africa. The venue is absolutely stunning and the way that this tournament was organized and presented brought a touch of professionalism to field archery that has long been overdue. Make a mental note of this one – this tournament is one not to be missed in future! Hennie Viljoen and his able group of archers have set a new standard – congratulations people! And keep up the good work please!
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