What happens when you combine a 70,000-year-old skill with the latest technology? Brand new interest in a club that has been in the area since 1947.
The Beaver Creek Archers, which started out as the Broken Arrow Club, got its start in a shed. According to James Determan, this is pretty typical.
“Most archery clubs start in a basement or a shed,” Determan said. “Guys would get together for friendly competition and the camaraderie.”
In 1989, the club bought some property and built the clubhouse in Slayton. The club was thriving and kids in the club were taught to shoot a bow and arrow at a young age with compassion, safety and skill in mind.
“People would get together, shoot, tell stories. The adults were super inviting when it came to involving the kids,” Determan said. “Slayton is known for having some of the best archers in the US. People wanted to be part of it.”
The Beaver Creek Archers produced many state champions, including Determan, his father, and several good friends.
When COVID hit, the club experienced a massive drop-off in participants. Determan said that leagues in general – pool, bowling, archery – are all having the same issue as people face time commitments and make family more important than hobbies.
“At one point the state tournament had 1,100 participants, now they are at 300,” Determan explained. “People used to drive more than an hour to shoot league, but it is a big commitment.”
At the Beaver Creek Archery Club, members started thinking about how to solve the problem. The answer was technology.
At BeaverCreekArchers.com any club can enter scores and compete with other clubs, without having to travel for hours. Archers can track their scores, check their progression and track analytics.
“Teams are ranked, and you can monitor your team and yourself,” Determan said.
With upcoming winter leagues, all teams in the state will be able to compete in a full-sized league, but do it from their own sheds, basements and clubs.
“Archery has been a big part of my family,” Determan stated. “The sport is unique in that you are part of a team, but focusing on your own ability and skills. You try to get a little better every time you shoot, accomplish milestones. The work you put in is tangible, measurable.”
And now it is trackable online for adult leagues.
“Our Beaver Creek kids are on there, but we are still working out bugs, so we haven’t opened up the kid leagues statewide,” Determan said. “And we need them to keep learning from older archers.”
For adults, winter leagues run from November 29 to March 6. Register by November 21. A 95 percent handicap applies after the first three weeks. People can register with a team or be placed on one. Participants may shoot ahead and scores may be entered up to two weeks behind. Each league costs $75, or you can join both for $140.
Youth leagues begin January 2, with 5-Yarders at 6 p.m. and 10-Yarders at 7 p.m.
To join the virtual leagues, email bcarchery.mn@gmail. com or text 507-227-2696 by November 21.
