National Crossbow - Kings Round Page

The King's Round

by George M. Stevens and edited by William G. Pimm Jr.

The King’s Round was especially designed to instill a touch of color and romance into the Crossbow Division. It has high spectator appeal and is fundamentally a round that reflects skill of the highest order and not in any sense of the word an endurance contest. The King’s Round is a special round for Crossbowmen which does not in any way interfere with existing rounds such as the Quad-IR900 Round that has its own Championship Cup and relative awards

The round is one that reflects a high score in a single IR900 round. Thus, those who might not wish to shoot more than one single qualifying score can do so without going through a strenuous afternoon, or whole day for that matter shooting a full double or quadruple IR900. Many excellent Crossbowmen who, due to matters of health or physical handicap of some sort may not be able to complete more than one IR900, will be able to qualify for the King’s Round with one good IR900 score. The King’s Round is scheduled to be shot immediately after the fourth IR900 round (at all Championship Shoots). This is an ideal arrangement for those who qualify as their weapons are already sighted in at 35 meters (the round consists of 6 shots at 35 meters). Each competitor shoots one arrow at a time at each target face alternating with the other King’s Round competitors and the Queen’s Round competitors. This is a range suited for observation by spectators and usually creates considerable interest, as the competition is always keen due to the qualifying requirements. Thus, the three high scoring Crossbowmen are in open competition in a dramatic and difficult round…truly a “spectator round.”

The winner of the King’s Round holds the title of “King” and his two fellow contestants that of “King’s Men.” The King is invested ‘On The Field’ with a Dagger, which may be presented by the Lady Paramount or any other dignitary, who will dignify the investment by “squaring” the new King’s Pennon…that is, cut the tail of his pennon off square with the Dagger of Authority (inasmuch as the King flies a higher ranking Pennon next year, no great danger is done). The new King will then, if the full form of the investment is followed, “fork” the pennons of his fellow contestants, whereby they are raised to the rank of “Baronet”… that is promotion “on the field.” This routine is interesting, not only to the Crossbowmen but to all spectators…and gives real background and prestige to a contest that calls for the highest skill of which the crossbowman and his weapon is capable. The routine roughly follows some of the old Medieval practices, and gives three types of pennons to be displayed at future tournaments…the “Square” or King’s Standard, the “Forked” or King’s Men pennon, and the simple Knight’s pennon.

There are of course many variations that will probably be adopted as necessity arises. One such might be a case in which a contestant has the distinction of twice being King’s Man, this would entitle him to a three tailed pennon (cut twice). It is also a part of the King’s Round investment that all contestants form an honorary Club to be known as “The King’s Men.” Thus , the King’s Round presents one of the most spectacular and generally interesting contests yet devised for the Crossbow, truly a fitting climax to every Championship contest.

Listed below are the winners of the King’s Round:

Year King Location

1952 F.W. Isles Jackson, MI

1953 P.J. Eytel Amherst, MA

1954 F.E. Pierce Sacramento, CA

1955 S.G. Berliner Oxford, OH

1956 P.J. Eytel, Lakewood, NJ

1957 R.B. Breneman Sacramento, CA

1958 P.J. Eytel St. Paul, MN

1959 Maurice Nieves Lancaster, PA

1960 P.J. Eytel Oxford, OH

1961 Karl Traudt Oak Brook, IL

1962 R.B. Breneman Oak Brook, IL

1963 R.B. Breneman Los Angeles, CA

1964 Bob Rees Jones Beach, L.I., NY

1965 George Gurik Purdue University, IN

1966 ---

1967 Bob Rees Greene, NY

1968 F.W. Isles Tahlequah, OK

1969 George I. Hall Valley Forge, PA

1970 R.D. Neill Oxford, OH

1971 T.E. Hock Oxford, OH

1972 Don Nist Oxford, OH

1973 T.E. Hock Oxford, OH

1974 T.E. Hock Oxford, OH

1975 Richard E. Lambert Oxford, OH

1976 George I. Hall Valley Forge, PA

1977 T.E. Phipps McLean, VA

1978 R.R. Rodney Boyce Oxford, OH

1979 R.R. Rodney Boyce Oxford, OH

1980 Erv Myers Oxford, OH

1981 Alan Kaufhold Oxford, OH

1982 Erv Myers Oxford, OH

1983 Robert C.W. Smith Long Beach, CA

1984 Alan Kaufhold Lancaster, PA

1985 Ray Stauffer Oxford, OH

1986 Stan Pennypacker Oxford, OH

1987 Alan Kaufhold Oxford, OH

1988 Stan Pennypacker Haverford, PA

1989 Robert Kaufhold Oxford, OH

1990 Ron McGee Oxford, OH

1991 Tom Holland Oxford, OH

1992 Ray Stauffer Oxford, OH

1993 George Slinzer Oxford, OH

1994 Jim Thomas Oxford, OH

1995 Tom Holland Oxford, OH

1996 Ray Stauffer Orlando, FL

1997 George Slinzer Canton, MI

1998 Ray Stauffer Canton, MI

1999 William G. Pimm Jr. Oxford, OH

2000 Dave Chouinard Canton, MI

2001 William G. Pimm Jr. Canton, MI

2002 Jim Thomas Canton, MI

2003 Mike Gough Reading, PA

2004 Ted Lasko Reading, PA