FOLEY, Ala. – The Hoyt/Easton Pro/Am is returning to Foley for the ninth year from Feb. 22 – 25 and organizers are looking to top the event attendance record set in 2023.
Last year was a banner year for the competition, which is the first stop on the Archery Shooters Association (ASA) Delta McKenzie Pro/Am Tour. Overall 2,044 shooters competed representing more than 40 states and four countries. ASA President Josh Grine says not only has that kind of attendance never been seen in Foley, the organization has only experienced attendance that high twice in its history across all competition sites.
Grine said that archery as a sport is growing and so are competitions. One example is the broadcasting of the Hoyt/Easton Pro/Am on YouTube and the Sportsman Channel thanks to Competition Archery Media. Several people who watch the broadcasts are looking to try competing for the first time.
“Probably the largest contributing factor to the success in Foley is the City itself. Foley is an amazing location with plenty of hotels, restaurants, and most importantly incredible people. Our staff, as well as the shooters that come, all feel and experience the amazing hospitality that Foley offers,” Grine says. “Secondly, is most certainly the location. While most of the country is experiencing winter, archers and families can escape to a warmer more pleasant climate. This fact is evidenced by the number of shooters who come down for the whole week instead of just a few days like other events. They also bring their families and turn it into a vacation.”
City of Foley sustainability and natural resources director Leslie Gahagan says their team will make sure anyone who shows up for the Hoyt/Easton Pro/Am experiences the best Foley has to offer rain or shine.
“We want every single visitor to enjoy Foley whether there are three shooters or 3,000,” Gahagan said. “While we are always hoping to set new records, it’s important to us to make sure everyone feels the city’s welcoming hospitality so that even a little rain won’t stop them from coming back year to year. We do that by staying organized and putting scalable plans in place for every situation.”
The Hoyt/Easton Pro/Am will take place at the Graham Creek Nature Preserve Feb. 22 – 25. The Pro Pressure Point Shoot Down will happen at the Foley Event Center on Feb. 24. The Shoot Down will be streamed live on YouTube and broadcast on the Sportsman Channel through Competition Archery Media.
