Archery Club in West Bloomfield Celebrates 75th Anniversary

A West Bloomfield-based club with a long history of promoting the sport of archery marks its 75th anniversary this year. 

Founded in 1928 by a group of archers in Detroit, the Detroit Archery Club moved onto a 21-acre property off Drake Road in 1951, with an additional 10 acres purchased in 1964. Board member Dave Anglin, a retiree from Livonia, said the club is the oldest of its kind in the state.

Every member owns a part of the club, which has three outdoor ranges and an indoor range inside a club house decorated with trophies and member photos. Anglin said everyone pitches in and helps with maintenance and cleaning. 

"Most everything we do here is on the volunteer system or the honor system," he said. That applies to scoring on the outdoor courses, where archers have to judge distances as part of competitions. "When you cheat, you're only cheating yourself."

The club has an outdoor "3-D" course, where members can shoot at three-dimensional figures that range from a giant cobra to the mythical jackalope, Anglin said. But Detroit Archery Club has something to offer even for beginners, with lessons for all ages scheduled during the year. 

Leagues run during the winter and summer; the club also has open shooting hours Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays when no other events are scheduled. And you don't have to be a member to use the facilities. The club will even rent equipment. 

It's all part of a long tradition of promoting the sport that began in 1924 with 11 archers who enjoyed shooting together in Detroit's Rouge Park, according to a published history written by Lary Ford. Through the years, notable club members have included Fred Bear, the first Detroit Archers club president and founder of Bear Archery, and Olympic champion archer Carl Strang. 

The history of the club will be the focus of an August 10 visit by members of the Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society. The event will include a review of basic rules, history and etiquette of target archery and a mini-tournament. Anyone can attend; cost is $10, and reservations are due to club member Carol Fink by Aug. 7. Call 248-669-2520.