"E-mail seems to be the quickest and most reliable form of communication so please accept the following:

I had the pleasure of being a volunteer for the recent Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout presented by PepsiCo on the LPGA Epson Tour. WOW! What an event and what a week! I was the one volunteer that had the pleasure of meeting each young lady personally because I was the announcer/starter on #1. What a group of professionals!!! Without exception, everyone was kind, professional and a pleasure to be around. They all said the course, Mystic Creek, was the best they had played on all year and one of the best ever. They all agreed it was difficult, especially the greens, but they said they get better by playing the tough courses.

Now I have to brag on your staff that helped coordinate the event and were without a doubt, the ultimate professionals. I don't know all their names but here goes. Matt with media, the ladies in the trailer, Donna and my special two gals, Kathy Lawrence and Jane Reynolds, my JR. For a good month out I was being fed the names of the tour players so I could start working on pronunciations. The Tuesday before the journey, I spent a good hour with Matt going over the names. May sound a little excessive but after 40 plus years in radio and TV....I wanted it to be right for MurphyUSA and for the pros....they all deserved it.

Armed with my lists and hopeful pronunciations, it was out to help Wednesday and Thursday with the pro-am and to meet some of the players and double check their names. I have been to several PGA tournaments but this was my first venture in helping and seeing one from the inside out. Kathy and JR were at the top of the list with pointers, suggestions, make sure a group goes off every 11 minutes, how to make up when we got behind, words of encouragement and their every present smiles.

Oh to be 40 again and do this every week. I can't say enough about your people who spent a good week in El Dorado. There are not enough accolades or kudos for them....they were, as I have said many times....simply the very best!!!! The entire town and South Arkansas are still buzzing about the event and we can't wait until September 2016.

This may sound a little, say flowery for a 72 year old man and 50 plus year amateur golfer, but it was without a doubt one of the greatest weeks of my life and I can't wait till next September. With a staff like this and the others I may have never seen or met, the Epson Tour of the LPGA is in great hands!!! Kathy and JR have promised to keep me posted on the tour in the coming months....homework will start early.

The very best to you all as you wind down the 2015 year and get ready for 2016. We can't wait to have you back with us for the 2nd Annual MurphyUSA El Dorado Shootout!!!!"

- John R. "Johnny Arkansas"

For the Love of the Fans: Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout

Related Articles