Being I just joined ATA after a brief lay-off of 30 years, I do not have the minimum requirements for awards or more importantly the purses to shoot the Grand in Sparta. Even though they still have me handicapped at the 27, ouch! So no way will I go there. Now if I was at least 70 years old, they would waive this, how nice of them. I'm 68. So here's my question: Can I be eligible at the big shoot for awards and money at the Cardinal Center in Aug?
Rookie you will need to shoot from the 27 yard line until you receive an official reduction. Shoot and have fun.
The Grand program is fairly clear on this. If you have less than 1000 targets in the current year you will be penalized to the at least the 25yd line. Shooters that don't have enough targets will have the option to shoot at their assigned yardage but will not be eligible for trophies, added money, purses, options etc. Since your assigned yardage will still be 27 you would be eligible for all of the items listed above. Shoot where ever you want, but make your decisions based on the correct information. What you stated above is not correct.