I'm getting ready to take the plunge into rifle competition, specifically NRA long range prone, F-Class (F/TR) and Palma (when I can find a match) and I'm thinking I need to upgrade from my little 20x Nikon spotting scope that I use for backpacking.

What should I be looking at? I'd like to keep the price reasonable and I don't think I need a zoom eyepiece. Suggestions?

Keep an eye out on various forums and/or ebay for a Kowa 821M, 661, or TSN-1. Those are all angled eye piece models, without the fluorite / ED glass. The TSN-1 (77mm) and 821M (82mm) have been the main optic found on the firing line for a while now. Hopefully you can find one that comes with an eye piece - get a 25 or 27x Long Eye Relief eye piece - the 31mm of eye relief vs. the 13-18mm of most other scopes is very much worth it when trying to use the scope from position.

As for matches... you've got plenty of long range facilities within a few hours drive. Douglas Ridge Rifle Club out in the Damascus/Boring region (1/2 hr east of Portland), Vail, and then Rattlesnake Mountain just north of the Tri-Cities, WA region (about 3-3.5hrs). DRRC is having the Leupold Cup later this month, and Rattlesnake has a LR Regional coming up the third weekend of October...