Archers take aim for good cause

"Hundreds of archers took aim at a tournament held at the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Shooting Range on Saturday, and if Scott Smith has his way, thousands more will flock to the site very soon.

Smith helped organize the “Shoot for Our Troops” Tournament, which brought more than 300 archers to the shooting range in West Monroe. Smith said proceeds from the event would benefit four local war veterans, Smith’s Straight Arrow Foundation, Horse Assisted Therapy Services of North Louisiana and Blue Star Mothers, a support group for mothers with sons and daughters in military service. Part of the proceeds would also go back to the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Smith expected the event to raise $15,000 from the event, but that is just the beginning of his plans.He hopes to hold a similar tournament two to three times a year at the site, bringing in similar numbers, and use part of the money to fund an archery mentoring camp for children.In two weeks, the West Monroe native also will travel to Illinois to lobby the Archery Shooters Association for a permanent regional tournament at West Monroe. He said ASA events draw from archers from surrounding states and generate significant revenue for area tourism.Richard Freeland, a professional staff member for Mathews Archery, said the “Shoot for Our Troops” tournament had some of the best facilities he had seen in his 17 years on the tournament circuit, and an ASA event could easily bring 2,000 people to the range."

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